COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, Dec. 9
CBC News | Posted: December 9, 2020 10:51 AM | Last Updated: December 10, 2020
No new positive cases Wednesday, CPHO says
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said Wednesday afternoon there are no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island and all test results received in the last 24 hours have come back negative. On Tuesday, 1,300 COVID-19 tests were processed provincewide and all were negative.
This marks two days in a row with no new cases of COVID-19 for P.E.I., following an outbreak on the weekend that caused public health to enact "circuit-breaker" measures to reduce the spread of the virus.
Some restaurants on P.E.I. have been forced to cut back hours and lay off employees as new public health measures forbidding indoor dining take effect.
The owner of a tuna processing company in North Lake is lending the province two lab-approved freezers to help store COVID-19 vaccines.
The Charlottetown Farmers' Market will be open during its regular hours Saturday, but only a maximum of 50 patrons will be allowed inside at a time.
Some communities are feeling the effects of the new public health measures as rinks and community halls shut down.
Sunday, the province asked all Islanders in the capital region between the ages of 20 and 29 to get tested, even if they have no symptoms. Thousands lined up to take tests Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday, Morrison asked those 20-something Islanders to make a change: those with symptoms, those who live with roommates the same age or work in a crowded space with people the same age should be tested first. Everyone else was asked to wait a few days.
Health PEI testing clinics continued with expanded hours Wednesday.
An additional clinic was held at Holland College from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It was primarily for students, but Health PEI said anyone who comes to the clinic will be tested.
After Morrison issued another warning Monday to anyone who disobeys self-isolation orders, a 21-year-old woman who arrived on the Island by air Monday night was charged and fined $1,000, RCMP said Wednesday.
Island funeral homes say they are adjusting to the "circuit-breaker" measures, which allow only 10 people at faith-based gatherings, funerals, wakes and weddings.
Some beauty salons say they are dealing with cancellations during this latest phase, and at least one closed temporarily.
Morrison said the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine could arrive on P.E.I. as early as next week, allowing the province to vaccine 1,000 people, starting with the most vulnerable: residents and staff in long-term care.
Air Canada is suspending its flights between Charlottetown and Toronto in the new year as fewer people fly during the pandemic, but is adding flights between Charlottetown and Montreal.
Here's a list of what Islanders can and can't do in the next two weeks, during what is being called a "COVID circuit breaker."
Also in the news
- Here's a map showing possible COVID-19 exposure areas and the times of possible exposures.
- Students and staff in P.E.I. public school grades 7-9 must now abide by masking rules brought in recently for high school students.
- All restaurants on P.E.I. are now closed for indoor dining and some have turned to takeout only.
- Not sure what to expect when you go for a COVID-19 test, other than a long lineup? We have you covered with this swab-filled story.
- All P.E.I. school sports and extra-curricular activities have been temporarily suspended, and four high schools will move to remote learning.
- A Dalhousie University epidemiologist says P.E.I.'s new "circuit breaker" approach is just what the province needs to prevent COVID-19 from spreading out of control.
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.