COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Tuesday, Dec. 15

Prince Edward Island received about 1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, as public health officials prepared to start rolling out a massive vaccination program starting Wednesday. The first recipients will be long-term care staff and health-care workers on the COVID-19 response front lines. 

At a public health briefing, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said she hoped P.E.I. could start easing some — but not all — of the COVID-19 "circuit breaker" restrictions this Friday. An official news release refers to the move as "Post Circuit Breaker Holiday Measures," meant to keep the lid on large gatherings around Christmas time that could result in outbreaks.

On a related note, the province's public health office is planning random spot checks on some of the 1,200 Islanders who will be self-isolating over the next few weeks, to make sure they are staying put. 

Students in health-related fields at Collège de l'Île and Holland College, such as the resident care worker program and the dental assistant program, had their on-the-job placements delayed back in March, meaning graduation didn't happen until November. 

Amid complaints about the impossibility of physical distancing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during peak periods, Health PEI told CBC News that it is "exploring alternative options" to manage traffic flow.

Meanwhile, P.E.I. high schools are having to re-examine their pandemic operational plans after a COVID-19 case at Charlottetown Rural. "One thing I've learned from the pandemic is that I don't expect anything anymore," said Erin Johnston, assistant director with the Public Schools Branch. "It seems all very unpredictable."

House prices on Prince Edward Island have continued to zoom upwards during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association showing the average price rose 21 per cent from November 2019 to November 2020.

Also rising? Demand for the services of food banks, especially with Christmas approaching. In association with the food banks, CBC's Feed A Family campaign is trying to max out local donations by this Friday.

The latest requirements for travel to China are making it hard for people trying to get there from Prince Edward Island.

School bus routes have faced new challenges during the pandemic, and the French Language School Board has received some assistance with that for the winter.

Medical microbiologist Dr. Greg German discusses last week's record-breaking COVID-19 testing numbers with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

A major P.E.I. poultry producer says demand is stronger than normal this year for turkeys to be served over the next few weeks. 

After nine months of living through the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, actor Tessa Mossey says she feels "very, very spoiled" to be back home in Charlottetown.

P.E.I. has had 89 positive cases of COVID-19 with 17 active. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations. 

Nova Scotia reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. There are now 57 known active cases in that province.

One new case was announced in New Brunswick, bringing its number of active cases to 59.

Also in the news

• Here's how some Islanders are occupying themselves during the new lockdown.
• The pandemic has created challenges for Islanders looking to cut down on waste.
• P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. All are related to travel.

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 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.