Islanders encouraged to get vaccinated; one new case of COVID-19 

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced one new case of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island. 

The individual is in their 30s and recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada. Contact tracing is complete, and the individual is self-isolating. 

Prince Edward Island currently has six active cases of COVID-19 and has had 225 positive cases since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases available online.

As of Saturday, August 21, a total of 236,434 doses of vaccine have been administered. 90.6 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose of vaccine and 77.5 per cent have received two doses. 

The vaccine coverage rate for those under 40 years of age is still too low, and those in this age group are encouraged to get immunized. The rate of fully vaccinated individuals between the age of 12 and 39 is 62 per cent.

Although the vaccine rate among residents in long term care and community care facilities is high, there are still some facilities where the staff vaccine rate is too low. The Chief Public Health Office will be having discussions with long term care and community care operators about working together to improve vaccine uptake among staff. 

“We are at a critical point in our fight against COVID-19 and our best defense is to increase vaccine coverage against the virus.,” said Dr. Morrison. “Even though we have reached a high rate of first doses in PEI, there are still over 50,000 PEI residents who are not fully vaccinated or who are not eligible to be vaccinated. One dose of vaccine provides some protection, but two doses provides optimal protection against COVID-19, including the variants of concern.”

Until more Islanders are fully immunized, residents are encouraged to wait 14 days after their second dose before leaving the province. Those travelling outside of PEI should wear masks in indoor public places, follow public health measures in the area they visit, and watch for symptoms when they return home and get tested if any develop. 

All Health PEI clinics are now accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccinations. For a list of clinic locations and hours of operation call 1-844-975-3303 or visit the provincial website. Participating pharmacies can provide first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacies are now able to offer Pfizer for those 18 and over. 

The Back to School Public Health Guidance for the 2021-2022 school year provides advice in key areas related to ongoing public health measures such as vaccination, managing symptoms, hand hygiene, cleaning and ventilation, as well as enhanced measures such as masking, cohorting and physical distancing. 

As the school year begins, the Chief Public Health Office anticipates that the school system will implement the office’s recommendations, including that masks be worn by staff students and visitors in school buildings and on buses. 

A tabletop planning exercise with principals, administrators and others throughout the education system to assist in preparing for potential outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools. 

“The guidance provided by the Chief Public Health Office to the education system recognizes the importance of minimizing community transmission to support in-class learning, which is vital to student learning and overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Morrison. “We know the most important step we can to allow our children to benefit from in-class learning is to continue to work hard to limit importation and spread of the virus. It is my hope the upcoming school year will be as normal and safe as possible for students, teachers, staff and families.”

The COVID-19 situation in PEI will continue to be closely monitored and adjustments to the Back to School Plan will be made, if necessary.  

Targeted border screening, testing and self-isolation for unvaccinated individuals will continue into the Fall, as an additional measure to support a safe return to school for Island children. Even with a highly vaccinated population, testing and contact tracing will continue to play an important role going forward. 

Islanders are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and every Island resident 12 and older who wants to be immunized will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine in 2021. Information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out 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:

• Get vaccinated
• 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
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• 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
shughes@gov.pe.ca