COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, April 10

Even as the Atlantic bubble is scheduled to bring down barriers in the Atlantic provinces in a little more than a week,many P.E.I. tourism operators are still trying to decide whether to open this season.

Coffee shops in Charlottetown are delicately discouraging "computer campers" from taking up tables for hours at a time when space is at a premium.

Now with the bubble scheduled to reopen April 19, two brothers from P.E.I.now living in New Brunswick are reviving a P.E.I.-themed beer in hopes of luring Islanders to the mainland.

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office announcedone new case of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the province's 13-month total to 162.

Prince Edward Island's seesawing unemployment rate went down to 8.1 per cent in March, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began to take a bite out of jobs. That's according to Statistics Canada datareleased Friday.

A message issued by Buckingham Palace Friday asked Commonwealth citizens to refrain from gathering to mourn Prince Philip's death at 99,citing the need to avoid further COVID-19 outbreaks. P.E.I.'s condolences over the death of the Duke of Edinburghwill be collected online only;Lt.-Gov.Antoinette Perry said Islanders could find a linkatwww.lgpei.ca.

Continuing pandemic restrictions have quashed any hope of stagingAnne of Green Gables The Musicalat the Charlottetown Festival this summer. Organizers announced the Anneless 2021 lineup on Thursday.

Prince Edward Island recorded its 162ndcase of COVID-19 Friday, with news of a case linked to travel outside the Atlantic region.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

• New Brunswick reported 19 new cases and two deaths Saturday as the Edmundstongoes into lockdown. New Brunswick has 148 known active cases.
• Nova Scotia reported eight new cases, and now has 43active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labradoradded four new cases of COVID-19, leaving the province with 10 active cases.

Also in the news

• Some seasonal residents and others with family connections on P.E.I. are thrilled at the prospect of coming to the Island this summer without the need to self-isolate for 14 days provided they have proof of vaccination.
• P.E.I. Premier Dennis King says the Atlantic bubble is still on trackto open April 19.
• In her weekly pandemic check-in with CBC News: Compass Thursday,Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrisonsaid any easing of public health restrictions for visitors coming to P.E.I. this summer will also apply to Islanders who wish to travel,but there is no timeline yet for those changes.
• A national expert is expressing concern that P.E.I. has fallen behind national guidelines for school air quality meant to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
• The Charlottetown Airport has another flight coming in, starting Aug.2. PAL Airlines will offer a Charlottetown-Halifax service three times a week, saying it will be expanding to help smooth the region's post-pandemic recovery.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 60.
• People over the age of 55 may book for an AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy.
• Islanders 40-59 years of age with underlying medical conditions, and all eligible members of their household.
• People providing health care services to the public includingoptometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and their support staff.
• Firefighters, police officers, power-line workers.
• Residents and staff of long-term care homes.
• Adults living in Indigenous communities.
• Residents and staff of shared living facilities.
• Truck drivers and other rotational workers.

Further resources

• Here isa chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timelineof pandemic events.
• Here is a look at how coronavirus isspreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever.
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
• Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
• Sore throat.
• New or worsening fatigue.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.

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