Possible COVID exposure on P.E.I.
The province’s chief public health officer has announced potential exposure to COVID-19 at three Charlottetown businesses following one new case on P.E.I.
Dr. Heather Morrison provided the update during an unscheduled briefing Wednesday, which was her third this week.
Morrison said the new case is a woman in her 20s who travelled within Atlantic Canada and arrived in P.E.I. on Nov. 13.
The woman is isolating at home with mild symptoms.
The three Charlottetown businesses where potential exposure occurred are:
• Atlantic Superstore at 465 University Ave. on Monday, Nov. 23, 3-4 p.m.;
• Gahan House, 9-11 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 21;
• Terra Rossa, 7:30-9:30 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Morrison said contact tracing is underway, and all of the woman’s close contacts will have to isolate for 14 days.
Close contacts back 48 hours from the onset of symptoms were contacted by public health, “as a starting point,” said Morrison.
All of the close contacts will be tested, and three have tested negative so far, Morrison said.
Anyone who was at the relevant Atlantic Superstore on Monday afternoon is asked to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are feeling ill.
Public health nursing will use sign-in sheets from the restaurants to contact people who were there at the relevant times.
“Individuals who need to be tested because of a potential exposure at one of these restaurants will be contacted directly by public health nursing,” said Morrison.
Morrison said staff at the restaurants will be tested and isolate at home until results are back.
More will be known about transmission in P.E.I. connected to this case within the next 48 hours, Morrison said.
“This is not cause for alarm but serves as a reminder of the need reminder to adhere to the public health measures. These measures are effective in breaking the chain of transmission of CPOVID-19,” said Morrison.
Health P.E.I. is expanding testing clinic hours today until 8 p.m. at the Slemon Park site in Summerside and at the Park Street clinic in Charlottetown. Islanders who require COVID-19 testing also now have the option of booking their appointment online and receiving a scheduled test in Slemon Park in Summerside or at the Charlottetown testing clinic on Park Street. To request an appointment, go to www. princeedwardisland.ca/en/ service/request-appointmentcovidThose using this option should wait for the clinics to call or email back with a specific appointment time.
Anyone who travelled within Atlantic Canada between Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 must take extra precautions when outside their household for 14 days after their return to P.E.I., Morrison said.
Those people should avoid organized activities, Morrison said, adding they can attend work or school but must adhere to enhanced public health measures. Morrison also re-stated that anyone, including Islanders, who visited a bar or restaurant in the Halifax Regional Municipality after 10 p.m. since Nov. 10 should be tested for COVID19, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.