COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Aug. 16
The Island's active caseload stands at 7, after 3 new cases were announced Saturday
P.E.I.'s Public Health office reported six new cases of COVID-19 this week, for a total of seven active cases and 224 since the pandemic began.
The province announced on Saturday that three new people have tested positive for the disease. All individuals recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada.
Two flight notifications were issued, one for WestJet flight WS330 from Toronto to Charlottetown on Thursday, Aug. 19, and another for Air Canada flight 634 from Toronto to Charlottetown departing on Aug. 19 and arriving Aug. 20.
On Tuesday, Public Health reported that a person who travelled to Charlottetown on Air Canada 634, departing Toronto late on Aug. 16, had contracted the disease.
Two new COVID-19 cases were also announced on Monday, both also related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.
There are potential exposure alerts for Air Canada Flight 634 from Toronto to Charlottetown on two days: departing Aug. 11 and departing Aug. 14.
Including the flights named above, officials have identified the following places as potential exposure sites:
Unvaccinated people who were at those places during the specified times are being told to get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate while they await the results. All individuals at risk of having been exposed, including those who have been vaccinated, should monitor for symptoms.
Call for mandatory vaccinations
As thousands of unvaccinated Island children prepare to return to school in less than three weeks, some parents are calling for stricter measures to protect their kids, with a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic underway across the country involving the highly-contagious delta variant.
The P.E.I. government says its back-to-school plan will be made public Monday. And at this time, both the Public Schools Branch and the French Language School Board told CBC they had no plans to implement a mandatory vaccination policy.
The University of Prince Edward Island's Faculty Association wants the university to mandate a vaccination requirement for students, faculty and staff returning to campus.
Over 200 faculty members completed a survey regarding COVID-19 measurers at UPEI, and 85 per cent of surveyed members support the vaccination requirement.
Mandatory vaccines for Holland College student-athletes
All athletes and coaches at Holland College will have to be fully vaccinated to participate in sports this fall.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Holland Hurricanes athletics department posted a statement to its Facebook page saying student athletes and coaches must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30.
Meanwhile, international students from around the world are concerned they won't get the opportunity to study at the school this year.
About eight prospective students of Holland College came together to make a video, pleading with the school to consider allowing them to start later than 2021 so they don't have to reapply to go to the college in the next academic year.
Holland College staff are meeting every few days to discuss issues in student permit processing for international students, says president Sandy MacDonald.
Back-to-school plans coming Monday
The P.E.I. government has yet to unveil its plan for COVID-19 precautions that will be in place to protect students and staff, but officials say it will be released Monday.
Steve Howard, Green MLA and Official Opposition critic for education and lifelong learning, issued a statement Tuesday urging the government to immediately release the plans.
"We've got an entire cohort of unvaccinated children 12 and under that are going to be coming together. How are they going to be in large groups?" Howard said.
Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada
- New Brunswick reported 34 new COVID-19 cases Friday for a total of 152 active cases. It also released its back-to-school plan.
- Nova Scotia confirmed 10 new cases Friday with 41 active cases, including one hospitalized person in intensive care. It will release its back-to-school plan Monday.
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported two new cases Friday for a total of 14 active cases. Memorial University announced it will require vaccinations for students and staff on campus.
Also in the news
- P.E.I.'s candidates in the federal election have begun knocking on doors, mindful of COVID-19 health precautions and sensitive to voters' safety concerns.
- Tourism operators on P.E.I. say they're struggling to find enough staff as tourists return to the Island.
These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine
- People over 12.
- Islanders over 18 can book an appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.
- If you would like to be considered for a last-minute appointment for a first or second dose, drop into your local vaccine clinic after 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday to register your name for a possible call back.
You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.
Further resources
- Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timeline of pandemic events.
- 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.
