COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Jan. 9

Five people are in hospital as a result of COVID-19 in P.E.I. as of Saturday. Two others in hospital for other reasons have also been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

There have been two COVID-related deaths on the Island, the province's first fatalities related to the pandemic. 

One of the individuals is between the ages of 60 and 79 and the other is over the age of 79, the Chief Public Health Office said in a news release issued Friday afternoon.

P.E.I. schools will not resume in-person learning until at least Jan. 24. The original plan was for students to return to classrooms Jan. 17.

Exams for high school students will also be cancelled for the term. 

Some students and parents say the extension of the closures is a relief amid concerns over rising cases.

Health P.E.I. Chief of Nursing Marion Dowling spoke to Compass host Louise Martin about how mass vaccination clinics, which reopened Monday, are going.

P.E.I. will be getting 600,000 rapid tests from the federal government for use in January, says Premier Dennis King.

The P.E.I. Legislature will be using new rules, put in place for the pandemic, to have committees meet virtually for the first time.

Chances centres in Stratford and Cornwall closed on Monday due to staff testing positive for COVID-19.

Mass vaccination clinics opened in Charlottetown and Summerside on Monday. These clinics are at the Eastlink Centre and County Fair Mall, and will be similar to ones at these locations in the spring — with enhanced precautions because of the transmissibility of the Omicron variant. 

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.

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.

There are 2,081 active cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. There have been 4,170 total cases.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick reported one COVID-related death on Saturday. 113 people are in the hospital, 12 of which are in intensive care. Two patients are on ventilators. 409 new cases have been confirmed.
• Nova Scotia said Saturday 58 people are in the hospital with COVID-19, 10 of which are in intensive care. 627 new cases were announced.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported its 25th COVID-related death Saturday, the second day in a row the province has recorded a death. Nine people are in the hospital with the virus.

Top news from last week

• Morrison announced changes to isolation rules for Islanders Thursday along with 204 new cases of COVID-19.
• Health P.E.I. CEO 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.
• 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.
• Last week saw a resumption of at-home learning for many Prince Edward Island students, and some parents are finding the process daunting.
• A lobby from the tourism industry may have played a role in the lifting of P.E.I.'s mask mandate last summer.
• King said in an interview Tuesday the province is so far "doing OK" amid the presence of the Omicron variant. 

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.

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.

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.