COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, April 29

P.E.I. has extended its state of emergency to May 31, Premier Dennis King said Wednesday during a COVID-19 briefing. The state of emergency was originally put in place April 16 and would have expired at midnight tonight.

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, said there are no new positive cases on P.E.I. There was one confirmed case announced on Tuesday, bringing P.E.I.'s total to 27. All are travel related.

She said there are 2,087 people in self-isolation on P.E.I., including 590 essential workers. More than 1,200 others have completed self-isolation.

There are meetings underway to discuss ways to broaden testing, she said.

Process of easing restrictions to begin Friday

P.E.I. will begin easing restrictions on Friday, but that won't mean the end to "painful" adjustments Islanders have made in their lives, King said.

Dozens of city employees have been called back to work in Charlottetown.

Some of P.E.I.'s seasonal restaurants are beginning to open, and making adjustments to doing business during the pandemic.

P.E.I.'s ease-back plan is leaving questions for tourism operators.

Golfers have been quick to book tee-off times as courses begin to open Friday.

Also in the news 

• Community care workers are being overwhelmed by an increased workload during the pandemic, says a former Liberal health minister.
• The 2020 Cavendish Beach Music Festival has been cancelled because of COVID-19.
• Health PEI medical microbiologist Dr. Greg German explains how local capacity for COVID-19 testing went from zero to 2,000 a week.
• P.E.I.'s shellfish season has been delayed to May 18.
• Homebrew and wine-making shops have been allowed to reopen.
• Thrift stores — currently closed — are being overwhelmed with donations.
• P.E.I.'s summer camps for kids are waiting to see if they will be allowed to open this summer.

Further resources

• Here is information for living with the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. — including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, and essential health services.
• Here are charts tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.
• A full list of COVID-19 cancellations can be viewed here. You can report closures on our cancellation hotline at 1-877-236-9350.

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.

Health Canada has built a self-assessment tool.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.

How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.
• Practise physical distancing.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on the federal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.