COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, March 28

Provincial officials have no media briefings scheduled for this weekend. 

Two new cases of COVID-19 were announced Friday bringing the total to 11.

Both cases are Prince County women, one in her 20s and the other in her 50s, says Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I. chief public health officer. Both women travelled internationally.

• Beginning Saturday in Charlottetown and Monday in the Summerside area, doctors can refer patients with coughs or fever to special clinics for assessment. Islanders without a doctor can call 811 for referral. 
• The province released a list of all travel at risk for COVID-19. Island passengers on the flights are asked to self-isolate upon return. 
• The P.E.I. government has created an Islanders Helping Islanders volunteer directory on its website for anyone looking for help during the pandemic. 
• Island schools and daycares will remain closed until at least May 11. Dr. Morrison also recommended non-essential businesses and government services remain closed indefinitely and that only essential staff should be on-site.
• The Western Hospital Collaborative Emergency Centre will be temporarily closed from Saturday to April 2 inclusive due to lack of nursing coverage.

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

​​​Financial relief

• IRAC suspended rental hearings until April 6 in response to the pandemic.

• Ottawa has agreed not to claw back money provided under the employment insurance program, and some Islanders not currently eligible for EI will be able to get it, says Premier Dennis King.

• The Charlottetown water and sewer utility is offering options for flexible payments to people suffering financial difficulties during COVID-19.
• The province announced $2 million to support early learning centres, staff and parents. The funding will ensure families won't have to pay fees while the centres are closed. The fund is expected to cover the next six weeks, starting March 20. 
• The province announced $500,000 in relief, including money for United Way, food banks, the Salvation Army and other helping organizations.
• Innovation PEI is providing self-employed Islanders $500 a week.
• Small businesses affected are eligible for loans of up to $100,000.
• Workers who continue to work but on reduced hours due to COVID-19 are 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, as of March 17. 
• Maritime Electric is suspending disconnection for non-payment for two weeks starting March 17.

Health

• An emergency mini-clinic to monitor coughs and fever, funded by the federal government, has been set up on P.E.I. as of March 28.

• The province is closing the addictions transition unit at Mount Herbert in the expectation of more demand for hospital beds.

• Blood donation is still needed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Blood Services' location at 85 Fitzroy St. in Charlottetown has the goal of collecting 32 units a day.

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

• Health PEI is restricting 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.

• 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.

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

Education

• The Island's university and college students are beginning to return to class, but online.

• While spending more time at home, Islanders are taking advantage of resources at provincial libraries, again, all online. The physical libraries are closed.

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

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.

• 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.

  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 social distancing.

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

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