Two new positive COVID-19 cases in PEI

Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has confirmed two new unrelated positive cases of COVID-19 for the province.

Both cases are male – one is in his 20s and one in his 50s – who work in unrelated non-health care industries and recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada. They have been in self-isolation since arriving in the province and are being followed by public health. Contact tracing has been completed. There are now three active cases of COVID-19 in the province. 

Islanders are reminded that following public health measures – physical distancing, frequent handwashing, coughing into your elbow, wearing a non-medical mask in indoor public spaces, staying home if you’re feeling unwell, keeping your circle of contacts small – remain crucial to protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. Islanders who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should visit a Drop-in Testing Clinic to be tested.

There currently is no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island and the risk of transmission in the province remains low. Prince Edward Island has had a total of 61 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. All cases to date have been travel-related. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.

Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• Maintain a distance of two meters from others as much as possible
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops

Media Contact:
Amanda Hamel
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Office of the Premier
(902) 314-2721
ahamel@gov.pe.ca