Sunday March 15: How COVID-19 is affecting P.E.I. today

In the second press conference of the day, on Sunday evening, P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison and Education Minister Brad Trivers made further announcements including the closure of child-care centres and public schools following the first confirmed case of COVID-19, which was announced Saturday. 

There continues to be a growing number of cancellations and precautions being implemented to protect Islanders.

Going forward, Morrison plans to hold media briefings daily.

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

Today's top stories

• In Sunday afternoon's press briefing, Morrison provided new recommendations and clarifications: no more visitations to long term and community care facilities, both public and private and Health PEI is moving to essential services meaning things that can be postponed will be rescheduled.
• On Sunday evening, P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison and Minister of Education Brad Trivers announced the closures of child-care centres and schools in response to COVID-19 on P.E.I.
• UPEI is suspending in-person classes as of Monday and all instruction is paused for the week. 
• Holland College announced classes at all locations will be suspended March 16-20
• Contact tracing is being conducted in relation to the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on the Island. This includes other Islanders who were on the same cruise. Morrison said they were contacted Saturday evening. 
• In an address to Islanders posted to Twitter Saturday evening, Premier Dennis King said while the news of the province's first case is not "unexpected" it remains "concerning." King is in self-isolation with his family after visiting Boston earlier in this week.

Health

• Prior to Sunday's press conference, many seniors' homes and community care facilities across the province had already been closed to outside visitors. That is now recommended for all such facilities.
• Health PEI is going to be rescheduling non-essential appointments. Those affected will be contacted directly.
• People who are ill or showing any symptoms of illness are being asked to stay away from any health care centre on P.E.I., unless they are seeking treatment. 
• Morrison confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on P.E.I. on Saturday. The case is a Queens County woman in her 50s who returned last weekend from a cruise. She called 811 after developing symptoms upon her return. The tests were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
• In the same press conference Saturday, Morrison clarified that self-isolation is only recommended for those who have travelled outside of the country after March 8. Those who travelled prior to that date are still being asked to monitor for symptoms. 

Schools, colleges and university

• On Sunday evening, P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison and Minister of Education Brad Trivers announced the closures of child-care centres and schools in response to COVID-19 on P.E.I.
• UPEI has suspended in-person classes for the remainder of the semester.
• Holland College announced classes at all locations will be suspended March 16-20.

Travel

• Canada's minister of foreign affairs urged Canadian travellers to return to Canada while commercial means remain available. 
• P.E.I. is recommending Islanders cancel all non-essential travel outside Canada.
• Any Islanders who have travelled outside of Canada — whether experiencing symptoms or not — are recommended to self-isolate for 14 days following their return if they travelled after March 8.
• The federal government announced Friday there will be a ban on boats and cruise ships carrying more than 500 people from docking at Canadian ports until July 

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