COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Sunday, Oct. 4
Two new unrelated cases of COVID-19 confirmed Sunday
Prince Edward Island has two new unrelated cases of COVID-19, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed on Sunday. Both cases are men – one is in his 20s and one in his 50s – who work in unrelated non-health-care industries and recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada. They are both self-isolating.
The Green Party announced its candidate Sunday for the Charlottetown-Winsloe byelection. Chris van Ouwerkerk was the only candidate to complete the nomination process and will enter the nomination meeting Tuesday night uncontested, though a "no candidate" option will also be on the ballot.
The three other provincial parties announced their nominees on Saturday. Zack Bell will be on the ballot for Progressive Conservatives, with Zac Murphy and Lynne Thiele representing the Liberals and NDP, respectively. The date for the byelection has not been announced.
The Green Party of Canada elected Toronto lawyer Annamie Paul as their new leader Saturday. The leader was originally supposed to be selected at a convention in Charlottetown this weekend, but pandemic restrictions forced the event to a virtual space.
A new outdoor art exhibit in Charlottetown allows people to enjoy a leisurely walk while physical distancing. Rooted in Art features five temporary art installations at the site of local trees. This event includes a 2.5-kilometre self-guided tour, where participants will be directed to five different stops to view the trees with art installations.
Premier Dennis King confirmed Friday that Canada's COVID-19 contact notification app will soon be in use on Prince Edward Island. A news release said Islanders with health cards will receive one-time "keys" or codes from their health authorities to use with the app.
Next Thursday, Oct. 8., travellers will no longer be screened by New Brunswick officials at the Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia borders, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs told a briefing Friday.
There have been 61 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Island, with 58 considered recovered. There have been no hospitalizations or deaths, and there is no evidence of community spread.
Also in the news
- A P.E.I. couple is hoping the U.S. border will reopen in time for them to spend time in their Arizona home this winter.
- Hockey fans will be allowed in the stands at Charlottetown Islanders games, although tickets will be limited to allow for physical distancing.
- A report from the P.E.I. Council on the Status of Women released Friday morning aims to preserve the views of women on the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The P.E.I. giant pumpkin weigh-off is closed to the public this year but the scales will still be ready for growers on Thanksgiving weekend.
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 chart tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.
- Here is a guide on what parents and students need to know about attending school.