COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of April 17

The first cruise ship in two years sailed into Charlottetown Harbour Friday morning, after the industry shut down in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

One Island man is reporting the antiviral medication Paxlovid helped him recover quickly from COVID-19, and is urging others to take it if it is offered as a treatment. 

Restrictions for many long-term care residents on P.E.I. have been eased, including allowing more visitors and shopping trips.

The province reported two more deaths on P.E.I. related to COVID-19 Tuesday after the long Easter weekend, bringing the number of COVID-19-related deaths on the Island during the pandemic to 23.

Some Island seniors say they are grateful to be resuming more activities outside the home, but they hope the province takes a cautious approach when lifting remaining public health restrictions.

Some communities on P.E.I. may soon be looking for information about COVID-19 in wastewater, as other Canadian jurisdictions have. 

With the pandemic in its third year people are looking to travel again, and that's leading to a backlog and delays in passport renewals and applications.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• Surging case numbers of COVID-19 are stretching Nova Scotia's hospitals to the point that there are now more patients than available acute care beds. The province's health authority confirmed its acute care bed occupancy rate as of Tuesday was running at 106 per cent. The numbers fluctuate daily, but there were 1,712 acute care beds and 1,815 patients provincewide.

• Newfoundland and Labrador reported five COVID-related deaths Friday, making April the deadliest pandemic month to date with 47 deaths. In the meantime, a national grassroots initiative is urging the province to start distributing rapid antigen tests to the public. N.L. is one of a handful of provinces which don't provide the tests for free.

• Pandemic deaths in New Brunswick have been found to be much higher than the official government count. According to data released by Statistics Canada last week, there were 423 more deaths than would have been expected in the absence of the pandemic during the eight-week period between early September to late October.

Top news from last week

• Two more people with COVID-19 have died on P.E.I., the province reported in its last weekly update on Tuesday.
• P.E.I.'s emergency departments are working near capacity, says an emergency department doctor, and that has him concerned about the tourism season. Health P.E.I. has responded that hospitals will be able to handle the increased traffic.
• A research group which advises governments on their pandemic police warned Islanders to be mindful while celebrating Easter that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.
• Some Islanders can now get their second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Churches can operate at full capacity now, but it is going to take some time to rebuild congregations.
• For the first time since 2019, high-school graduates are looking forward to a proper prom season.

Other helpful stories

• A timeline of pandemic events on P.E.I.
• 25 events shaping the first 2 years of the pandemic on P.E.I.
• How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19
• Here is the latest pandemic mask advice.
• Your COVID-19 rapid test is positive. Now what?
• P.E.I. government bringing back pandemic supports for workers.
• My family caught COVID-19. Here's what I wish I'd known.
• Why COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are rare on P.E.I.

When and where to seek care if you have COVID

P.E.I. closed its specialized cough and fever clinics for COVID-19 at the end of March. Primary care will pass to your doctor, nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic.

Mild cases can be treated at home with rest.

If you are immunosuppressed or over the age of 50, you can call your primary care provider or 811 within the first five days of your COVID-19 symptoms to see if you may benefit from an antiviral medicine.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, you may also arrange an appointment with your doctor, nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic. You may also call 811 to consult about your symptoms.

If your symptoms are so severe you don't believe you can wait for an appointment, then go to the emergency at your local hospital. If you do not feel you can travel to the hospital safely on your own, call 911.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Third shots are available for Islanders 12 and older, six months following their second shot.
• Islanders can book an appointment to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy or a public health clinic.
• You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• New or worsening cough.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose, sneezing or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle, joint or body aches.
• Feeling unwell or unusually tired.
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.