COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Feb. 20

As of Feb. 25, P.E.I. reported a total of 2,715 active cases with 715 new cases since the last update on Feb. 23. The average daily case count for the previous seven days was 226.

The province on Tuesday announced it would be discontinuing the Vax Pass and removing isolation requirements for unvaccinated travellers starting Feb. 28. That's a relief for some. For others, it's a cause for concern.

The province has said it would be providing less frequent COVID-19 updates going forward, with updates now scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Public exposure and flight notifications have been paused by the provincial government.

Under current conditions, the province says all public places should be considered potential exposure sites.

COVID news this week

The P.E.I. budget forecasts moderate growth as the province eases its way out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province is also updating its self-isolation guidance for close contacts starting Thursday. Some have said requiring close contacts to isolate after exposures was creating challenges for child-care centres and families.

Two MLAs representing neighbouring districts in western P.E.I. squared off in the Legislature Wednesday over COVID-19 testing sites in the region, one saying the level of access is not acceptable. 

 The spring sitting of the P.E.I. Legislature started Tuesday using a hybrid model to meet.

More flights have been added to the Charlottetown Airport's summer schedule.

Cruise ships will be back in Charlottetown Harbour this spring for the first time in two years.

Outbreaks at the Community Hospital O'Leary and Prince County Correctional Centre are now over, according to the Chief Public Health Office.

The Charlottetown Islanders and Summerside Western Capitals headed back to their rinks for the first time in more than two months over the long weekend, with hopes that the teams will be able to make up for financial losses caused by the pandemic.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick businesses will no longer need to ask patrons for proof of vaccination on Monday. One more person with COVID-19 has died. Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 have gone down by five to 72 as of Friday, with 30 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 42 in hospital for COVID-19.
• Nova Scotia reported two deaths related to COVID-19 on Friday. About 7.9 per cent of Nova Scotians remain unvaccinated. 
• The number of people hospitalized in Newfoundland and Labrador because of COVID-19 rose to 20 on Friday, with four of them in critical care. 

Top news from last week

• Thursday marked the first day in P.E.I.'s plan to ease public health measures, with changes in personal gathering limits and travel restrictions for fully-vaccinated travellers.
• Two years into the pandemic, women are still facing increased pressures from COVID-19 when it comes to stress over caregiving, food insecurity and money, according to the P.E.I. Council on the Status of Women.
• The Emergencies Act announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in response to ongoing protests against pandemic restrictions might be needed elsewhere, but not on P.E.I., said Premier Dennis King.
• Tourism operators on P.E.I. are seeing a jump in bookings for the upcoming season since the government announced the plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
• Wait times for P.E.I.'s telehealth service — also known as 811 — soared during the height of Omicron, according to the Nova Scotia-based company that has a contract with the Island's Department of Health and Wellness to provide the service.

Other helpful stories

• How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19
• Here is the latest pandemic mask advice
• Your COVID-19 rapid test is positive. Now what?
• P.E.I. government bringing back pandemic supports for workers
• My family caught COVID-19. Here's what I wish I'd known
• Why COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are rare on P.E.I.

These Islanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Third shots are available for Islanders 18 and older, six months following their second shot.
• 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:

• New or worsening cough.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose, sneezing or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle, joint or body aches.
• Feeling unwell or unusually tired.
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.