COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Jan. 2

P.E.I. reported a COVID-19 outbreak at a community care facility in Miscouche. Eight Miscouche Villa residents and three staff members have tested positive, the province said on Saturday.

Two people remain hospitalized due to COVID-19, with one of those in intensive care. That's down from Thursday when COVID-19 had four Islanders in hospital, with one in intensive care. 

Public Health announced 110 new cases on Saturday, and said information on active cases and recoveries will be announced Monday. On Friday, there were 175 new cases of COVID-19 and 116 recoveries for P.E.I.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant is putting an especially challenging strain on organizations that serve more vulnerable community members, such as soup kitchens and shelters.

Shut down by public health guidelines, some youth programs are concerned about their finances if they aren't able to reopen soon.

COVID-19 kept throwing up roadblocks, but this couple finally managed to get married, even if it was in a hotel hallway.

Morrison announced changes to isolation rules for Islanders Thursday along with 204 new cases of COVID-19.

The head of Prince Edward Island's health authority, Dr. Michael Gardam, says he expects to see more COVID-19 hospitalizations in the coming weeks, as a spike in Omicron infections hits hundreds of households across the province. 

While P.E.I. has never seen anything like this most recent wave, its new case count rates remain well below — about 18 per cent — the national average.

Here's how some parents are managing online learning in their homes.

School principals are also dealing with the challenges of online learning.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has amended its policy to allow people to wear their own N95 and KN95 masks, but cloth masks are out.

New guidelines have some pre-schoolers wearing masks while at daycare.

Here's how to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19, and when to get help.

The Atlantic Veterinary College Small Animal Hospital is restricting its overnight emergency coverage because of staffing shortages. 

An Island couple finally wed in a hotel hallway recently after COVID-19 kept cancelling their wedding plans. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations remained steady as P.E.I. reported 222 new cases Wednesday.

The last couple of days have seen a resumption of at-home learning for many Prince Edward Island students, and some parents are finding the process daunting. The province also announced supports of $125 a week per child to help families with child-care costs as long as at-home learning continues.

A lobby from the tourism industry may have played a role in the lifting of P.E.I.'s mask mandate last summer.

Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison emphasized at a briefing Tuesday that COVID shaming is unwarranted and asked Islanders to be more compassionate.

King said in an interview Tuesday the province is so far "doing OK" amid the presence of the Omicron variant. 

Schools in P.E.I, will remain closed until at least Jan. 17, the province said Tuesday. The P.E.I. Teachers' Federation had recently asked for an extension.

Temporary restrictions put in place before Christmas have also been extended to the same date.

The Home and School Federation said the extension is a "relief," but added that some questions surrounding the return to in-class learning remain.

Here is the latest advice on what kind of mask you should be wearing, and how to wear it.

P.E.I. is ramping up its vaccination efforts, announcing Monday that mass clinics in Charlottetown and Summerside will be reopened Jan. 10.

The province's beef plant has implemented new measures after two of its workers test positive.

One person hospitalized for COVID-19 is currently being treated in an intensive care unit, the Chief Public Health Office said Monday. As well, 161 new cases were announced.

An ER physician says letting health-care staff who've tested positive for COVID-19 work as a last resort is the "right call."

P.E.I. has outlined a series of steps Islanders should follow if they test positive for the virus.

The Green Party is urging the government to communicate its pandemic response more clearly.

New Year's Eve was a big takeout night for some Island restaurants amid an indoor dining drop resulting from the province's COVID-19 restrictions.

Public exposure and flight notifications were paused by the provincial government early last week. Under current conditions, the province says all public places should be considered potential exposure sites.

As of Friday, there were 1,550 active COVID-19 cases in the province. The number will be updated on Monday.

There have been 2,573 cases since the pandemic began.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a record for the second day in a row with 80 people in the hospital, 17 of which are in intensive care. The province reported one new death on Saturday. It also announced an outbreak at the Edmundston Regional Hospital.
• Nova Scotia has expanded visitor restrictions as cases continue to rise, the province announced on Friday. 1,145 cases were announced Saturday.
• Newfoundland and Labrador hospitalizations held steady as the rate for positive tests dropped. The province had 412 new cases and 4,664 active cases on Saturday.

Top news from last week

• Eight Islanders have been fined $1,050 each for refusing to get tested at the Confederation Bridge screening site when returning to the province.
• Some Island restaurant owners are making the decision to close their doors or limit their offerings, with staffing shortages and lack of business.
• Schools in P.E.I. will remain closed until at least Jan. 10. Classes will resume online on Jan. 5.
• Premier Dennis King announced several supports for workers will be made available again as COVID-19 cases surge on Prince Edward Island. The supports include a school lunch delivery program to help families while schools remain closed.
• All people arriving on P.E.I. now have to self-isolate for at least four days, with the quarantine timeline depending on vaccination status. The province is also mandating early closing of bars and restaurants.

Other helpful stories

• 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.

The P.E.I. Vax Pass

The P.E.I. Vax Pass is now required at a number of businesses and events. Here's a look at how to get the pass, and how it works.

Here's a list of where you need to show proof of vaccination on P.E.I.

And, here's a look at how the vax pass can protect you.

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.