Three new cases of COVID-19 in PEI; increased travel measures

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced three new cases of COVID-19 and additional border measures to limit the transmission of the virus in PEI. 

One individual, in their 30s, travelled to PEI from outside Atlantic Canada and is a close contact of a previously announced case. This individual has been self-isolating since arriving in PEI and is being followed daily by public health. 

The other two individuals are both in their 20s, and have recently travelled to PEI from outside of Atlantic Canada. They are self-isolating and being followed daily by public health. Contact tracing is underway. 

The National Microbiology Lab and provincial lab have identified that four of PEI’s recent cases have been confirmed as a variant of concern, specifically B.1.1.7 or the variant first associated with the United Kingdom

“We know variants are becoming increasingly prevalent across Canada and in PEI, and they are more transmissible and can result in more severe illness. Travel outside the province continues to be the biggest risk factor for COVID-19 in PEI,” said Dr. Morrison. “Additional safety measures are needed to further reduce the risk of importation of COVID-19 and lower the likelihood that people come here and spread or get sick with COVID, putting additional stress on our health care system. These measures will give us more time to immunize more Islanders against COVID-19.”

Effective immediately, until at least May 17, PEI is altering some travel to the province including: 

• Seasonal residents from outside Atlantic Canada planning to travel to PEI in the next four weeks are advised to defer travel until at least May 17.
• The Family Connections Stream for seasonal residents is paused until at least May 17.
• Applications for permanent relocation to PEI related to work or school will continue to be processed.
  • Anyone from outside Atlantic Canada who has pre-approved travel related to permanent relocation to PEI between now and May 17 will be required to have proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in PEI. Self-isolation for 14 days and testing on days 0-1, 4-6 and 9-11 will be required when these individuals arrive. 
• Rotational workers and truck drivers working outside of Atlantic Canada will be required to self-isolate until they receive their first negative result after arriving in PEI, regardless of vaccination status. 
  • These individuals who are registered with CPHO are reminded to follow the testing regimen.
• Workers coming to PEI from outside of Atlantic Canada will continue to require pre-travel approval. 
  • They will also require proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in PEI and a negative test upon arrival, prior to entering their workplace. 
  • They must be tested every second day for the first 14 days they are in PEI. 
• Travel to PEI for compassionate reasons, including those from outside of Atlantic Canada, will continue to be processed and approved on an individual basis. 
  • Family visits that are required to provide necessary support to Island residents will continue to be considered under the Family Connections Travel Stream.
• Everyone arriving in PEI from outside of Atlantic Canada is required to self-isolate for 14 days and will require testing on days 0-1, 4-6, and 9-11.
• There is no change in requirements for residents of Atlantic Canada to travel to PEI for work or school. 
• Travel to and from PEI for non-essential purposes is not recommended at this time. 
• In partnership with Justice and Public Safety, overall enforcement measures will be increased. 

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.

Prince Edward Island currently has 13 active cases of COVID-19 and has had 173 positive cases since the onset of the pandemic. 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 relatedimpacts 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 
• 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 
• 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