COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, May 14

Islanders are waiting for test results after a case of COVID-19 at a daycare, and how the pandemic has affected population growth.

Province planning to ease back use of AstraZeneca vaccine

CBC News · Posted: May 14, 2021 5:44 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 14, 2021

The Leaps and Bounds Childcare Centre in Charlottetown is closed following a case of COVID-19. (Kirk Pennell/CBC)

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced two new cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. Friday, one of them connected to a daycare closed Thursday with a case of COVID-19. She said so far, all the staff and 35 of the children had been tested and their results had come back negative.

The province announced it would be extending border restrictions on seasonal residents, family connections and for some moving to P.E.I. for another two weeks.

An Island woman who was recently escorted out of a store by police is asking Islanders to be more understanding of people like her who can't wear masks.

Charlottetown restaurants have started gearing up for patio season and many see patios as a solution to their COVID-19 problems.

P.E.I. continued to be a leader among the provinces in population growth during the pandemic, but not at the pace it was previously.

The monks of GEBIS hope to have their tulip fields open tomorrow. (Submitted by GEBIS)

P.E.I. is probably easing back on its use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, said Premier Dennis King.

Buddhist monks on P.E.I. are trying to find a way, working within public health rules, to open up their tulip fields for viewing this year.

Islanders should learn more next week about the province's plans to reopen following the latest public health measures. The premier provided a few hints at what that plan may include during a meeting with business leaders in Charlottetown Wednesday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made for a difficult 14 months for travel agents, but two on P.E.I. say they feel the industry is showing signs of life again.

P.E.I. has nine active cases of COVID-19. There have been 190 positive cases in total over the past 14 months, with two hospitalizations and no deaths.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

Nova Scotia is reporting 117 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, and a man in his 90s has died. The province has 1,537 active cases.
Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed six new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 86 active cases.
New Brunswick has five new cases. There are 116 active cases.

Also in the news

Dry cleaners on P.E.I. have seen a big drop in business during the pandemic.
Summerside's Kyle Baillie is hoping to get his second crack at playing in the Rugby World Cup, and is facing the challenge of professional league play during the pandemic.
A Charlottetown man was fined $2,500 in court on Monday for hosting a large gathering, with the judge saying his communal living defence was no excuse for breaking public health guidelines.
Charlottetown police also issued $1,000 tickets to seven people in the early hours of Sunday morning, in connection with a gathering they say exceeded COVID-19 pandemic public health guidelines.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

People over 16.
Islanders over 40 can book an appointment for a Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.

You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.

Further resources

Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timeline of pandemic events.
Here is a look at how coronavirus is spreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

Fever.
Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
Sore throat.
New or worsening fatigue.
Headache.
Shortness of breath.
Runny nose.