COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, March 31

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 organizers of the Rock the Boat Music Festival in Green Park are confident they can work within COVID-19 rules to hold the event this summer.

With traditional in-person fundraising ticket sales made difficult by pandemic public health restrictions, fire companies on P.E.I. have moved online.

Despite public health restrictions reducing attendance, some P.E.I. churches are finding 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. 

She confirmed three new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

The Island has had 159 diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with no deaths or hospitalizations. There are 14 active cases on the Island. 

Throughout the Atlantic region:

• Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. There are now 23 known active cases of COVID-19 in the province. 

• New Brunswick reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday for a total of 135 active cases.

• Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case on Wednesday, as the province's top doctor reported the discovery of a variant first found in South Africa. There are three active cases.

Also in the news

• Canada's vaccine advisory committee is recommending immediately suspending the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in Canadians under 55.
• Holland College is planning to go ahead with in-person graduations this year despite COVID-19 — but it will have a lingering effect.
• 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 70.
• People aged 65 to 69 with birthdays January to September.
• 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.

More from CBC P.E.I.