Second coronavirus case confirmed in P.E.I.
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed the second case of coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) in P.E.I. on Thursday.
Morrison announced at a news conference carried live on Facebook. Morrison said the second case is a man from Queens County in his 40s who returned from the United Kingdom.
“He returned from travel from the United Kingdom and self-isolated, because he knew he was supposed to do so, immediately upon returning home,” Morrison said.
“I spoke directly to him and I’m so pleased he’s doing well.” Morrison said the case was a reminder of the importance of the 14-day self-quarantine recommended for all returning travellers by the Chief Public Health Office.
“If he had not self-isolated, he may have inadvertently infected others in the community,” Morrison said.
Morrison said the individual did not exhibit symptoms of the coronavirus during his international or domestic flights home.
She said staff are following up with anyone the man may have had contact within P.E.I., but are not yet doing so with other passengers on the man’s return flights.
“He did not have symptoms at that time but if that changes, certainly they would be advised of those details,” Morrison said.
“That would not involve a contact follow-up at this point.”
She declined to release details about the man’s flight from the UK to P.E.I., citing privacy concerns.
As of Thursday, the Province has performed 213 total coronavirus tests. Of these tests, 122 have been negative, 2 have been positive and 89 are pending.
Testing in P.E.I. is focused on individuals who have returned from overseas travel and are showing symptoms of the coronavirus. Morrison also said individuals in hospital with other influenza-like symptoms are also being tested, whether they have travelled or not. Drivethrough testing may be rolled out in the days ahead, and paramedics may be able to perform tests in homes.
Morrison also addressed the decision to close publicly run liquor stores on Thursday. She said she understood it affected many families on the Island.
“Alcohol withdrawal is a danger so we would never leave Islanders without access to alcohol for their own health for certain people,” Morrison said. “I’m sorry I was not as clear as I should have been.”
Morrison said the provincial stores would remain closed but other access, which might include pick-up delivery or drive-through, will be announced. Private agency stores and breweries will remain open.
Morrison said Islanders should continue to practice social distancing and warned of the dangers of the coronavirus reaching infection rates seen in Italy.
“If that was to happen in P.E.I., there would be 3,000 deaths. It reinforces to me why we need to make these kinds of measures,” Morrison said.
Marion Dowling, Health PEI’s Chief of Nursing, also spoke about the ventilator capacity of the Island’s health system. Ventilators help deal with the respiratory effects of coronavirus.
Dowling said Health P.E.I. currently has 19 ventilators ready for use. The federal government has ordered 15 more for P.E.I., but Dowling said the Province has put in additional orders beyond this.
Dowling also said Health P.E.I. currently maintains four to five times this capacity.
“We would have the capacity for ventilator services for Islanders, if they were needed, beyond and above what we normally need,” she said.