Two new positive COVID-19 cases confirmed in PEI

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has confirmed two new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 11.

One is a woman in her 30s, an essential worker (non-health care related) who travelled internationally. The other is a man in his 20s who travelled internationally.

Both have been in self-isolation since arriving in the province and completed routine testing as part of the standard public health protocols. These protocols are in place for individuals who arrive in the province from outside the Atlantic travel bubble, including international travel. All 11 active cases continue to do well and remain in self-isolation. They are all being followed daily by public health nursing, and contact tracing is being completed.

As part of Renew PEI Together, and in accordance with the state of public health emergency, certain travel into PEI is permitted with pre-travel approval. Residents of provinces and territories outside of Atlantic Canada who are essential workers; those entering the province for emergency medical purposes, including patients and a support person; new and returning students and their parents or guardians; people who have custody agreements; and Canadian citizens or permanent residents moving to the Island. Individuals may also apply federally to travel internationally as part of the family reunification process. 

There are also exceptional or compassionate circumstances as to why an individual may travel to PEI, such as dependents or spouses of PEI residents; students attending a post-secondary institution in PEI; those who are supporting a person in palliative care; or those attending a wake, funeral or burial. 

For any travelers entering PEI from outside the Atlantic Bubble, self-isolation and testing is required. 

At this point, there is no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island and the risk of transmission in the province remains low. The Chief Public Health Office will continue to update Islanders on these cases as more information is known in the coming days. 

Prince Edward Island has had a total of 55 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. All cases to date have been travel-related.

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:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca