COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, Dec. 10

You no longer have to seek an immediate COVID-19 test if you're in your 20s living in the Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall area — unless you are experiencing symptoms. That's according to Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison, who also said there have been no positive results among the 2,344 tests processed for the 20-29 age group by late Thursday. 

This marks three 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. 

A COVID-19 testing clinic that was set up at Holland College in Charlottetown Wednesday moved to UPEI Thursday. A pop-up testing clinic was held at UPEI from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Other clinics and hours of operation:

•  Montague, Montague Legion, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•  Charlottetown, Park Street, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
•  Summerside, Slemon Park, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
•  O'Leary, O'Leary Health Centre, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

P.E.I. dentists have been postponing or cancelling appointments for Islanders in their 20s due to the cluster of cases in 11 people in that age group, a move that has some 20-somethings upset. 

The Prince Edward Island government has posted an update on how operations have changed as a result of the two-week COVID-19 "circuit break" announced Sunday. It includes the suspension of most driver testing, the closure of all museums, and the shutdown of common areas in P.E.I.-owned seniors housing units.

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 head of the P.E.I. Public Schools Branch says the recent transition back to online learning for the three English language high schools in the Charlottetown region went smoothly.

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.

Curling is among the sports affected by the two-week closure. Not only is league play suspended, but "some of our clubs have also had to pause their fundraising initiatives until after the circuit breaker or into the new year," said Amy Duncan, executive director of Curl P.E.I.

Some communities are feeling the effects of the new public health measures as rinks and community halls shut down.

Some beauty salons say they are dealing with cancellations during this latest phase, and at least one closed temporarily.

After Dr. Heather 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.

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.

Also in the news

• 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.
• 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."
• 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.