COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, April 1

One new case on Thursday brings Prince Edward's 13-month COVID-19 tally to 160, and it looks like another difficult year for buying a bicycle.

One new case on P.E.I., and no bubble checkpoint on the New Brunswick side of the bridge

CBC News · Posted: Apr 01, 2021 5:56 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 1, 2021

When the bubble reopens there will be more staff to deal with traffic at the checkpoint on the P.E.I. side of Confederation Bridge, but no checkpoint on the New Brunswick side. (Shane Hennessey/CBC)

Prince Edward Island has now recorded 160 cases of COVID-19 since its first case in March 2020. The latest case, announced Thursday, is a person under 19 who was a close contact of a previous case and has been isolating since learning that.

In her weekly check-in with CBC News: Compass, Chief Public Health Officer Heather Morrison said the province has had no confirmation on the delivery of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, expected to arrive in Canada at the end of April. She noted adverse reactions to vaccines are very rare, and still much better than getting COVID-19. She believes things will start to get back to normal on P.E.I. by the fall.

Builders and suppliers in P.E.I.'s construction industry are working with some alternative materials as costs and availability continue to be a concern in the busy sector.

Cornwall passed its operating budget for 2021-22 Wednesday evening, finding the money for a small surplus. Mayor Minerva McCourt said council felt it was particularly important to not have any property taxes or utility rate increases this pandemic year.

The province says testing sites and clinics will be operating on reduced hours over the Easter weekend.

Speaking of Easter, some Island churches tell CBC they are fine with restrictions on congregation sizes — given that last year, church gatherings weren't being allowed at all.

Live streaming has helped Zion Presbyterian in Charlottetown increase donations. (Tony Davis/CBC)

It looks like 2021 will be another difficult year for anyone looking for a new bicycle, as more people spend time outside during the pandemic.

P.E.I. drivers heading into New Brunswick when the Atlantic bubble opens won't face a COVID-19 checkpoint screening process on the far side of Confederation Bridge.

The easing of restrictions at long-term care homes, including the ability of residents to attend church, will begin Thursday.

The Island has had 160 diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with no deaths or hospitalizations. There are 13 active cases on the Island.

Throughout the Atlantic region:

Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday for a total of 24 active cases in the province.
New Brunswick reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 141 active cases.
Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new travel-related case, and now has four active cases.

Also in the news

Organizers of Rock the Boat Music Festival are confident they can work with COVID-19 rules to hold the event this summer.
With in-person fundraising made difficult by pandemic restrictions, fire companies on P.E.I. have moved online.
Despite restrictions reducing attendance, some P.E.I. churches say donations are up in the last 12 months.
In her regular Tuesday briefing, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said there are no current plans to let young Islanders apply for other kinds of vaccine appointments now that the province's AstraZeneca vaccine delivery program has been halted over blood clot concerns.
Morrison is urging Islanders to continue being eager and enthusiastic about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine despite a decision to halt all use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine in the province.
A U.S. couple who consider P.E.I. home is desperate for guidance on border rules.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

People over 65.
People 60-69 with certain specific serious underlying health conditions, and their primary caregivers.
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.