225 new cases of COVID-19 and 195 new recoveries; update on outbreaks

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced 225 new cases of COVID-19 and 195 new recoveries as of 8:00 am on Friday, January 14, 2022. 

These new cases are still under investigation. There are currently 1,994 active cases of COVID-19 and there have been 3,861 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Over the last seven days there have been an average of 199 cases per day. 

There are eight individuals in hospital being treated for COVID-19 (one of the eight is in hospital for another reason, but also has COVID-19). One of the hospitalized individuals is currently in the Intensive Care Unit. 

Update on the outbreaks across Prince Edward Island:

• Atlantic Baptist Long Term Care Facility
  • Now a total of 16 cases of COVID-19 confirmed 
  • Testing is ongoing
  • Containment measures are in place
• Garden Home Long Term Care Facility
  • There are still 13 residents and three staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 
• Miscouche Villa Community Care Facility 
  • No new cases to report
  • Testing underway today
• Early Learning and Child Care Centres
  • Three additional centres with cases or clusters of COVID-19 (a total of 14) 
  • Four of the facilities are open, eight are closed and two are open offering modified or limited services
• Shelters and Outreach Services
  • Two new cases of COVID-19 (nine total) related to this outbreak among individuals who regularly access shelters and outreach services in Charlottetown 
  • A number of test results are still pending
• Provincial Correctional Centre
  • There are still seven staff and three offenders who have tested positive for COVID-19

In addition, there are numerous other outbreaks in workplaces across the province. 

In order to preserve the limited capacity of Health PEI testing clinics, until further notice, testing will continue to be limited to the following:

• Symptomatic individuals
• Close contacts of positive cases 
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive at a point-of-entry
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive with a rapid antigen test 

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate until they are able to be tested and continue to isolate after being tested until a negative result is received. 

Individuals who do not have symptoms do not require testing (unless in one of the above categories). Those who are presenting for testing related to travel (for example: day 4 tests) will be provided with at home rapid antigen tests, two tests to be taken 48 hours apart.

Islanders are reminded that supports are available for those impacted by COVID-19.  The Prince Edward Island Emergency Payment for Workers, Emergency Income Relief for Self-Employed, and the COVID-19 Special Leave Fund programs are now accepting applications.  Islanders may also be eligible for programs through the Government of Canada such as the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit or the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Individuals who are isolating and require supports are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be directed to nearby community support systems, or provincial government service offices.  This assistance includes help with securing food, personal prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other emergency situations.  

A modified school food lunch program is also available to have pre-cooked meals delivered to homes starting this week.  The program operates on a self-referral basis. Get information on the Food Security Program. 

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back.

As of Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 95.9 per cent of eligible Island residents age 12 years and over have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 92.6 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses. 56.1 per cent of children age 5-11 years have received their first dose. 

Individuals should book their booster appointment for six months after their last dose. Getting a booster is an important layer or protection against serious illness related to the Omicron variant.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 years can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.  

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

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:

• Get vaccinated
• Wear a properly fitted, three-layer mask in indoor public places and in outdoor public places where physical distancing from others cannot be maintained
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wash 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
• Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
• Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
   

Media Contact:

Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
(902) 316-1323
shughes@gov.pe.ca