COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, June 10

Dr. Heather Morrison says there are now only four active cases on P.E.I., and the provincial government has outlined a new gift-card plan to help keep accommodations-based businesses in the black.

Active cases fall to 4; new incentives announced for Islanders to take staycations

CBC News · Posted: Jun 10, 2021 6:45 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 10, 2021

Some Islanders will soon have an easier time ordering food while in hospital, and others will be getting updated mammography testing thanks to cash from the provincial government designed to make up for a challenging fundraising year. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

Dr. Heather Morrison has told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin Thursday there are now only four active cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I., with no new cases reported since June 3.

The union representing paramedics on P.E.I. has met with the premier to discuss what it's calling a "critical shortage" of staff. CUPE Local 3324 president Jason Woodbury says paramedics have taken on more responsibility during the pandemic.

The provincial government has outlined a new gift-card plan to help keep accommodations-based businesses in the black.

After a quiet tourism year in the Tignish region due to the coronavirus shutdown, things are picking up with new music, entertainment, and a whole new salty rite of passage.

The federal government is earmarking $6.3 million in COVID-19 recovery funds for major infrastructure upgrades in eastern P.E.I., with projects including the hospitals in Montague and Souris, a Montague school, and a highway depot.

Those refused entry to P.E.I. at the Borden-Carleton side of the Confederation Bridge now have to pay the toll when they leave. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

Two Prince Edward Island hospital foundations are happily making plans to use funds from the province designed to supplement what they were able to raise on their own this past year, with the COVID-19 pandemic posing major challenges.

A pair of P.E.I. friends say their new-found love, hiking, has helped them deal with depression and anxiety, and get through the pandemic.

Construction has begun on a new 80-room hotel at Credit Union Place in Summerside.

If anyone is refused entry to P.E.I. at the Borden-Carleton side of the Confederation Bridge, you will still have to pay the toll when you're asked to leave.

There have been 206 cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. and four are considered active. There have been no deaths and two hospitalizations.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada:

Nova Scotia has 15 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 147 active cases.
Newfoundland and Labrador has five new cases and 51 active cases.
New Brunswick reported three new cases Thursday and has 105 active cases. The province's planned reopening will now not happen until at least Sunday due to a slowing vaccination rate.

Also in the news

The first step in Prince Edward Island's reopening plan began Sunday, including allowing larger private gatherings.
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 reported on P.E.I. since last Thursday, when the Chief Public Health Office reported two new cases of COVID-19..

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

People over 12.
Islanders over 18 can book an appointment for 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.