Three new cases of COVID-19 in PEI

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

One individual is in their 40s, one is in their 20s and one is under the age of 12 years. Two of the cases are related to travel outside of the province and one is a close contact of a previously announced case. Contact tracing is underway and all three individuals are self-isolating. 

The child under the age of 12 years attends Eastern Kings Early Learning Academy. Out of an abundance of caution, the Academy was closed today and will be closed tomorrow to allow time for children and staff to be tested and for enhanced cleaning. A decision will be made regarding the reopening of the Academy when test results are available. 

In follow up to cases announced this weekend that were linked to Ecole La-Belle-Cloche, close contacts and any staff and students experiencing symptoms were asked to attend a Health PEI testing clinic today. Students and staff who were not identified as close contacts and did not have symptoms, were asked to be tested at a pop-up clinic at the school today. 

Anyone in the Souris area who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, is asked to visit a Health PEI drop-in testing site. 

The response to the request to be tested was very positive. An update on the number of tests performed will be provided at the Tuesday, December 7 public health briefing. 

There are currently 22 active cases of COVID-19 in PEI and there have been 392 cases since the pandemic began. 

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. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics and those age 18 years or older can visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 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:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Get vaccinated
• Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places
• 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

Autumn Tremere
Education and Lifelong Learning
(902) 368-6449
agtremere@gov.pe.ca