Update on province’s five recent COVID-19 cases

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has confirmed additional information regarding PEI’s newest five positive COVID-19 cases, which were first announced yesterday.   

The five individuals travelled on Air Canada flight AC8360 from Toronto to Charlottetown on July 30. Out of an abundance of caution, all passengers who travelled on this flight should monitor for symptoms.  If any passengers on this flight develop symptoms of COVID-19 they should call 811 to arrange for testing.

The cases are all males in their 30s or 40s. They are essential workers, of the same industry (non-health care related), who travelled to PEI from outside the country. The workers have been in self-isolation since they arrived in PEI on July 30. They each had routine testing between day 10 and 12 of their self-isolation period, and it was at that time the positive cases were confirmed. The cases continue to do well and remain in self-isolation. They had very limited close contacts, and contact tracing is now complete. 

The detection of these five new cases is indicative that our system is working. They have been in self-isolation since arriving, they were diagnosed on routine testing and they have very limited close contacts. 

The risk of Islanders contracting COVID-19 remains low. It is important that we continue maintaining our processes to keep Islanders safe, including: border security, pre-travel approval, self-isolation requirements, operation isolation and testing. It is also important that Islanders continue maintaining physical distance, practicing good hand hygiene and wearing a mask when in closed, indoor public spaces. 

Backgrounder: 
The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to continue to monitor the situation globally, nationally and locally. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Government’s special situation response group also continues to work collaboratively with the Chief Public Health Office, stakeholders and community partners in preparing for all impacts related to COVID-19 to the province, including health, social and economic. 

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• If ill with acute respiratory symptoms, stay home if possible
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• 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
(902) 368-5610
shughes@gov.pe.ca