Five new cases of COVID-19 in PEI; Ecole La-Belle-Cloche update; pop-up testing clinics in Eastern Kings; holiday guidance

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced five new cases of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island. 

One of the cases is in their 50s, one is in their 20s, and three cases are under the age of 12 years. Three cases are close contacts of previously announced cases and two cases remain under investigation.

There are currently 23 active cases of COVID-19 in PEI and there have been 397 cases since the pandemic began. 

Families and students at Ecole La-Belle-Cloche, staff, impacted sports teams and other close and casual contacts will receive an email with instructions regarding isolation and testing requirements. Individuals who are following the Daily Testing Protocol can pick up test kits at Ecole La-Belle-Cloche between 8:30 am and 3:00 p.m. on December 8th and 9th. 

“The situation in Eastern Kings is concerning, and there appears to be community transmission in that region of the province, as we have been unable to link some of the cases to travel. In order to help us determine the extent of transmission in the area, there will be additional access to testing over the coming days. Widespread testing of key groups will provide us with valuable information regarding the extent of transmission and what, if any further steps should be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

- Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison

The clinics will be located at the Souris Hospital on Wednesday, December 8 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and on Thursday, December 9 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Those accessing the testing clinics are reminded to bring their health cards, if they have one. 

The following individuals in Eastern Kings (Mount Stewart, Morell, St. Peter’s, Souris areas) are asked to be tested:

• All children age five to 11 years of age, regardless of symptoms;
• Anyone involved in organized sports, regardless of symptoms;
• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19. 

Those individuals who have been tested in the past 48 hours do not need to be retested unless symptoms have developed. 

There is one additional public exposure:

• Eastern Kings Sportsplex (203 Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Souris) on Saturday, December 4 between 8:45 am and 10:15 am

Anyone who was at this location during this time who is not fully vaccinated should visit a drop-in testing clinic to be tested and monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of the exposure. 

Anyone who was at this location during this time and is fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of exposure and if any symptoms develop, visit a drop-in testing clinic. 

Workplace and holiday parties are considered organized gatherings and must follow appropriate public health measures. Levees are not recommended as they are high risk events, involving close contact between individuals and shared food and drink. If a group or organization decides to host a levee, it should be a vax pass event. 

Similar to last year, outdoor activities are safer than indoors, and small gatherings pose less risk than large ones. It is important to assess your own personal risk when deciding to attend holiday gatherings, considering vaccine status, your own health and the health of others, the risk of serious outcomes and the type of activity. 

As of Saturday, December 4, 94.8 per cent of Island residents age 12 years and over have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 91.4 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses. 15.4 per cent of children age 5-11 years have received their first dose.

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics and those age 18 years or older can visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 years can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

For the latest information about Prince Edward Island’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Prince Edward Island. 

Backgrounder:

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed, and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

 

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Get vaccinated
• Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
• Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Media Contact:

Samantha Hughes

Health and Wellness

shughes@gov.pe.ca

Autumn Tremere

Education and Lifelong Learning

(902) 368-6449

agtremere@gov.pe.ca