COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Monday, March 23

In a news briefing Monday afternoon, P.E.I. chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison continued to stress self-isolation and social distancing, and said the system is preparing for an increase in cases.

In a second briefing at 5 p.m., Morrison was joined by Premier Dennis King and Bloyce Thompson, attorney general and minister of justice and public safety, as they announced a "strict" fine structure for those found to be in violation of the self-isolation orders.

Under P.E.I.'s Public Health Act, chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison will have the ability to issue orders, King said. 

Fines start at $1,000 for the first offence, $2,000 for the second offence and $10,000 for the third and subsequent offences.

Thompson urged Islanders not to call 911 if they knew of people violating self-isolation directions, and to instead phone 1-800-958-6400.

A third case of COVID-19 was confirmed in P.E.I., Dr. Heather Morrison said in a news briefing Sunday evening. Morrison said the case is a Queens County woman in her 20s who returned from Spain.

On March 16, the woman flew from Toronto to Moncton, N.B., on WestJet Flight 3456, departing Toronto at 8:35 a.m. and arriving in Moncton at 12:05 p.m. All passengers on that flight are being asked to self-isolate. New COVID-19 screening measures are in place at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport and Souris ferry terminal.

She also said anyone entering P.E.I. as of March 21 from anywhere in the world, including other parts of Canada, should self-isolate for 14 days. Exceptions will be made for individuals who are considered essential workers.

• A full list of COVID-19 cancellations can be viewed here. You can report closures on our cancellation hotline at 1-877-236-9350.

Recent top stories

• 'Strict fines'  have been unveiled for those in violation of self-isolation requirements on P.E.I. during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• P.E.I. chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison is continuing to stress the necessity for social distancing and self-isolation where required.

• Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed a third case of COVID-19 in P.E.I. in a news briefing Sunday evening. Morrison said the case is a Queens County woman in her 20s who returned from Spain.

• Blood donation is still needed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Peter MacDonald, head of donor relations for the Canadian Blood Services in Atlantic Canada, says their location at 85 Fitzroy St. in Charlottetown has the goal of collecting 32 units of donated blood each day.

• Enhanced screening measures, including checkpoints at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport and Souris ferry terminal are in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

​​​Financial relief

• The province has announced $2 million to further support early learning centres, staff and parents. Minister of Education Brad Trivers said the funding will ensure that families will not have to pay fees while early learning centres are required to be closed. The fund is expected to cover the next six weeks. 
• The province announced $500,000 in relief, including money for United Way, food banks, the Salvation Army and other non-government organizations that help Islanders.
• Innovation PEI will provide self-employed Islanders $500 a week, and provide loans of up to $100,000 to small business affected by the pandemic.
• Workers who continue to work but have had their hours cut due to COVID-19 will be eligible for a temporary $200 allowance per week.
• The province's largest landlord, the P.E.I. Housing Corporation, will suspend evictions for six weeks. 
• Maritime Electric is suspending disconnection for non-payment for two weeks.
• P.E.I. Education Minister Brad Trivers announced licensed daycare staff will be eligible for employment insurance. Grants and subsidies will continue for licensed daycares. The province will provide emergency child-care services to essential workers who have no other options. 

Health

• The College of Physicians and Surgeons of P.E.I. is fast-tracking its licensing process in response to COVID-19.

• P.E.I. has launched an online self assessment for COVID-19 to alleviate high call volumes to 811.

• P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention services is concerned social isolation could bring on more domestic violence.

• Health PEI said it will restrict all visitors to its facilities, except palliative care, intensive care, neonatal intensive care, obstetric and pediatric units. In these units, only one designated visitor is permitted — a member of the patient's immediate family or their care partner within the hospital.

• Seniors' homes and community care facilities across the province remain closed to outside visitors.

• The P.E.I. government is publishing the number of positive, negative and pending test results on its website. 

• All dental clinics on P.E.I. are closed until further notice. Some clinics can manage emergency care, patients must first call to have emergencies evaluated.

• Physiotherapy clinics across P.E.I. will close until further notice, the physiotherapy association announced Wednesday, while chiropractors and optometrists said they are scaling back services.

• Health PEI is rescheduling non-essential appointments, and said those affected will be contacted directly.

• People who are ill or showing any symptoms of illness are being asked to call 811 and stay away from any P.E.I. health-care centres, unless they are seeking treatment. 

Schools, colleges and university

• Education Minister Brad Trivers announced optional "home-learning resources" will be posted online for students to learn at home after March break is over. Schools are closed. Officials are working on curriculum-based resources to roll out online If schools remain closed after April 6.

• P.E.I. and Canada Student Loan repayments have been suspended for six months. 

• UPEI and Holland College have essential personnel only on campus.

• UPEI and Holland College have suspended in-person classes for the remainder of the semester. Holland College revised the date online learning will be available to students to Wednesday, March 25.

• Child-care centres are also closed.

Travel

• Any Islanders who have travelled out of province — whether experiencing symptoms or not — are required to self-isolate for 14 days following their return. This applies to people who have travelled internationally since March 8, and anyone who travelled to another province since March 21. Screening checkpoints are set up at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown airport and Souris ferry terminal.

• Some Islanders abroad are still having trouble finding a way home.

• P.E.I. recommended Islanders cancel all non-essential travel outside Canada.

• The federal government has banned boats and cruise ships carrying more than 500 people from docking at Canadian ports until July.

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.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Isolate yourself and call your local public health authority. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested.

How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Be aware of evolving travel advisories to different regions.

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

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