COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Monday, April 12

P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 on the Island Monday afternoon. 

University and college convocations are going ahead on P.E.I., but they'll still look different than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Larger weddings may be possible on P.E.I. this summer.

Even as the Atlantic bubble is scheduled to bring down barriers in the Atlantic provinces in a little more than a week, many P.E.I. tourism operators are still trying to decide whether to open this season.

Coffee shops in Charlottetown are delicately discouraging "computer campers" from taking up tables for hours at a time when space is at a premium.

There will be no cruise ships visiting P.E.I. this year but Port Charlottetown is optimistic about 2022, with bookings in place for a record number of visitors.

Some golf courses on P.E.I. opened last weekend, the earliest they have ever opened.

Prince Edward Island has had 165 known cases of COVID-19. Seven are active.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

• New Brunswick reported 10 new cases Monday and now has 145 known active cases. Two confirmed cases of the variant first detected in South Africa have been identified.
• Nova Scotia reported seven new cases and now has 46 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador has no new cases of COVID-19, leaving the province with 10 active cases.

Also in the news

• The Prince County Hospital in Summerside, P.E.I., has begun a pilot project with a goal for late fall of recruiting three intensive care nurses with at least five years of experience.
• Some seasonal residents and others with family connections on P.E.I. are thrilled at the prospect of coming to the Island this summer without the need to self-isolate for 14 days — provided they have proof of vaccination.
• Now with the bubble scheduled to reopen April 19, two brothers from P.E.I. now living in New Brunswick are reviving a P.E.I.-themed beer in hopes of luring Islanders to the mainland.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 60.
• People over the age of 55 may book for an AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy.
• People over the age of 55, with birthdays from January to April, may book at a public clinic.
• Islanders 40-59 years of age with underlying medical conditions, and all eligible members of their household.
• People providing health care services to the public — including optometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists — and their support staff.
• Firefighters, police officers, power-line workers.
• Residents and staff of long-term care homes.
• Adults living in Indigenous communities.
• Residents and staff of shared living facilities.
• Truck drivers and other rotational workers.

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.

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