Encouraging COVID-19 trends
Over 8,800 doses of vaccine have been administered on P.E.I.
Dr. Heather Morrison reported one new case of COVID-19 for P.E.I. during her weekly briefing on Tuesday.
P.E.I.’s chief public health officer said a man in his 30s tested positive in another province. He is currently not on P.E.I. and will complete his 14 days of self-isolation outside of Atlantic Canada, said Morrison.
P.E.I. now has four active cases. There have been 114 cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Morrison said trends in Canada the past week have been encouraging. She added new cases and deaths are down 21 per cent compared to the previous week.
“While it is natural for viruses to mutate, it is incumbent for us to roll out the vaccine as quickly as possible,” said Morrison. “The faster we can immunize individuals, the more likely Islanders will be vaccinated before they are exposed to one of the variants.”
As of Saturday, Morrison said over 8,828 doses of immunization vaccine have been administered on P.E.I., including 3,517 second doses.
“Once again, I ask for your patience and understanding as it will take months to immunize all Islanders, and there will be a vaccine for everyone,” said Morrison.
ONLINE BOOKING
Health P.E.I. chief of nursing Marion Dowling said the province hopes to have an online booking system operational soon. Dowling said this will provide priority groups identified with the opportunity to go in and book appointments directly online.
“We are looking at some testing of that system and making sure it is functioning over the coming days,” said Dowling. “We are hoping that next week things are ready to go with that.”
Morrison said rotational workers, including truck drivers, will be contacted soon to book their immunization appointment. The Chief Public Health Office (CPHO) will only contact rotational workers registered with the CPHO. Any rotational workers or truck drivers who have not registered yet can do so on the government's website or call the office.
Morrison said, effective immediately and whenever possible, rotational workers and truck drivers are asked not to join family members until they receive a negative test.
Morrison said those approved for work isolation should wait for a negative test before going to their workplace, whenever possible.
Adults living in congregate living settings, such as shelters, group homes and community residential care facilities, have the opportunity to receive the first dose of the vaccine beginning later this week.
Police and volunteer firefighters, who often arrive first on-scene, will be identified in the second quarter for vaccination.
“That information should be highlighted soon,” said Morrison.
Dowling pointed out that as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, more than 2,750 Prince Edward Islanders, aged 80 and over, have been given two appointments for their vaccinations through the vaccine call-in line.
Morrison said P.E.I.’s slow
and steady march to try and get people vaccinated is working.
“We have the highest percentage of people who have been vaccinated. That is a real credit to Health P.E.I. in terms of running their clinics efficiently with the limited vaccine we have.”
PICK-UP LOCATION
Beginning today there will be a supervised drop-off and pick-up location in BordenCarleton.
This site will be a location where goods, including pets, can be exchanged.
“For work-related activities, including couriers, provided you are not entering workplaces, homes or are interacting with people, you will be exempt from self-isolation,” said Morrison. “If it is necessary to interact with people or enter workplaces as part of your work outside of P.E.I., you are not eligible for an exemption, and you can apply to work-isolate upon returning to P.E.I.”
Morrison announced beginning Feb. 16 high-intensity activities in gyms and fitness facilities, such as spin, hot yoga and boot camps, will be required to maintain at least two metres of physical distance instead of three metres.
Morrison said this is subject to no substantial changes in the number of cases.
SCHOOL BREAKS
With university reading week just around the corner, Morrison encourages students and their families not to travel. For university students from P.E.I. studying off-Island, Morrison strongly recommends they not travel home for reading week.
For UPEI students who are from out of province, Morrison said the same message applies.
She encouraged those students to explore P.E.I., pursue recreational activities, focus on their studies and get some rest.
With March break approaching, Morrison said now is not the time for people to be travelling off-Island for non-essential purposes. She added anyone who travels for these breaks must self-isolate upon their return.
“I do not anticipate that advice changing before mid-March,” said Morrison. “Again, please consider exploring P.E.I. and supporting local attractions and businesses this March break.”
Morrison said the Atlantic Canadian premiers will discuss reopening the Atlantic bubble, possibly as early April as long as the number of cases remains low.