COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Nov. 14

Prince Edward Island's Chief Public Health Office announced two new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, while advising that Three Oaks Senior High School will stay closed for Monday. There are currently 18 active cases. 

P.E.I. announced four new COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

Two of the new cases are linked to a recent cluster in Prince County. Eleven cases overall have been linked to that cluster. 

On Friday, the province announced community clinics will start taking COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children ages five to 11 by the end of next week. Earlier in the day, Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for children in that age group.

Three new cases were also announced on Friday, two related to the Prince County cluster.

Charlottetown-based BioVectra, with assistance from the federal and provincial governments, is expanding to manufacture mRNA vaccines.

Exemptions from P.E.I. Vax Pass regulations have been rare and only for medical reasons. No exemptions for religion have been considered.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said the number of people arriving at the Confederation Bridge was too high for COVID-19 testing staff to keep up. All incoming travellers were still screened, and anyone who was not fully vaccinated did get tested.

Swoop Airlines plans to fly out of Charlottetown this coming summer, after the pandemic foiled plans for the summer of 2020.

There was one new case of COVID-19 on confirmed on Monday, with some potential exposure sites.

It's getting harder to recruit volunteer firefighters on P.E.I., and chiefs believe it is partly due to the pandemic.

Some Christmas craft fairs have been cancelled again this year, and craftspeople are finding other options to sell their wares.

The town of Three Rivers has established a new vaccinate or test policy for both employees and volunteers.

Current cases

P.E.I. currently has 18 active cases.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick  announced 90 new cases on Sunday, and that 43 previous cases have recovered, bringing the province's active cases to 640. There were outbreaks at Ridgewood Veterans Wing in Saint John and at Dorchester Penitentiary on Friday. New household isolation rules also took effect Friday at 6 p.m.
• Nova Scotia reported one COVID-related death and 27 new cases on Friday. The province has 223 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador announced four new cases and 19 active cases. The province said it could start vaccinations for children as early as next week.

Top news from last week

• Many P.E.I. communities went ahead with Remembrance Day ceremonies Thursday with COVID-19 restrictions again this year, including Charlottetown, where officials asked people to stay home.
• Westwood Primary and Eliot River Elementary, which were closed Monday, reopened Tuesday. 
• The P.E.I. Vax Pass has been in effect for a month. Some restaurants have found business has increased, and others are struggling to handle the extra layer of bureaucracy.
• The pandemic has created global problems with supply chains. Here are some of the products that are in short supply on P.E.I. as a result.

The P.E.I. Vax Pass

The P.E.I. Vax Pass is now required at a number of businesses and events. Here's a look at how to get the pass, and how it works.

How to access your vaccination record

3 years ago

Duration 0:38

P.E.I.'s Vax Pass rules are now in effect. Here's how to access your record.

Here's a list of where you need to show proof of vaccination on P.E.I.

And, here's a look at how the vax pass can protect you.

Where you'll need your Vax Pass

3 years ago

Duration 0:55

P.E.I.'s Vax Pass rules are now in effect. Here's where you will — and won't — need to show your proof of vaccination.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 12.
• 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.

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.