304 new cases of COVID-19 and 127 recoveries in PEI

Press Release

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced 304 new cases of COVID-19 and 127 recoveries in PEI since last reporting on Monday, January 10, 2022.

“We have not yet reached the peak of PEI’s cases; we are expecting to see cases rise over the next couple of weeks. It is important that we all do everything we can to contain the transmission to further protect the health system from being overwhelmed. It is very important that we continue to follow public health measures like wearing a mask, getting vaccinated when eligible, keeping our circle of contacts small, and more, so we can slow the spread of COVID-19.”

– Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison

These new cases are still under investigation. There are currently 1,694 active cases of COVID-19 and there have been 3,197 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Over the last seven days there have been an average of 190 cases per day. There are approximately 8,500 people in self-isolation as the result of being positive cases or close contacts.

There are six individuals in hospital being treated for COVID-19. One of the hospitalized individuals is currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

There are numerous clusters of cases and outbreaks across Prince Edward Island, including:

• Miscouche Villa Community Care Facility
  • Eight residents and six staff members have tested positive for COVID-19
  • All residents are doing well and are receiving care at the facility
• Garden Home Long Term Care Facility
  • There is an outbreak at this facility and two residents have tested positive for COVID-19 Further testing is taking place today
  • Visitation is restricted with provision for one partner in care per resident
• Early Learning and Child Care Centres
  • Nine early learning centers throughout the province have cases or outbreaks of COVID-19
  • Seven child care centers are closed today
  • CPHO is working with the sector to support staff who are close contacts with a “Test to Stay” policy
  • Updated outbreak guidance is being shared with the sector today
• Shelters and Outreach Services
  • Five cases have been confirmed among individuals who regularly access shelters and outreach services in Charlottetown and this is considered an outbreak
  • Guidance and direction to limit further transmission (masking, other personal protective equipment and other measures such as testing) is being provided to community-based service providers and additional PPE and antigen tests will be distributed
• Provincial Correctional Centre
  • An outbreak with three staff and one offender testing positive for COVID-19
  • Further testing and other measures to contain further spread within the facility is underway

In order to preserve the limited capacity of Health PEI testing clinics, until further notice, testing will continue to be limited to the following:

• Symptomatic individuals
• Close contacts of positive cases
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive at a point-of-entry
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive with a rapid antigen test

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate until they are able to be tested and continue to isolate after being tested until a negative result is received.

Individuals who do not have symptoms do not require testing (unless in one of the above categories). Those who are presenting for testing related to travel (for example: day 4 tests) will be provided with at home rapid antigen tests, two tests to be taken 48 hours apart.

Islanders are reminded that supports are available for those impacted by COVID-19.  The Prince Edward Island Emergency Payment for Workers, Emergency Income Relief for Self-Employed, and the COVID-19 Special Leave Fund programs are now accepting applications.  Islanders may also be eligible for programs through the Government of Canada such as the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (link is external), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (link is external) or the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (link is external).

Individuals who are isolating and require supports are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be directed to nearby community support systems, or provincial government service offices.  This assistance includes help with securing food, personal prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other emergency situations.  A modified school food lunch program is also available to have pre-cooked meals delivered to homes starting this week.  The program operates on a self-referral basis.  More information is available here.

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back.

As of Saturday, January 8, 2022, 95.7 per cent of eligible Island residents age 12 years and over have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 92.4 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses. 47 per cent of children age 5-11 years have received their first dose. Over 25,000 people have received their third dose of COVID-19 booster.

Individuals should book their booster appointment for six months after their last dose. Getting a booster is an important layer or protection against serious illness related to the Omicron variant.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics (link is external) or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 years can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

Backgrounder:

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed, and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Get vaccinated
• Wear a properly fitted, three-layer mask in indoor public places and in outdoor public places where physical distancing from others cannot be maintained
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Physical distance – stay two meters (6 feet) apart
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
• Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Media Contacts:

Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
(902) 316-1323
shughes@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)

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