COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, May 1

There are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 to report Friday, said P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison at an afternoon news briefing.

The number of cases on the Island remains at 27. Since Thursday, Morrison said 75 new negative test results have returned.

Morrison said one of the activecases of COVID-19 still has some symptoms, and will require testing to ensure the affected person is fully recovered from the virus.

Morrison said there are 2,217 people in self-isolation as of Friday, compared to 1,714 a week ago.

She said manyof those peopleare university students returning home, while others are essential workers needed on the Island.

Morrison said the P.E.I. governmentwill continue to emphasize the recommendations of physical distancing, good hygieneand staying at home as much as possible, even as some provinces have made masks mandatory for the coming weeks.

Beginning next week, representatives from each Island high school will help come up with ideas for safe year-end celebrations during the pandemic through the premier's 2020 grad committee.

This comes after King declared he would"not allow COVID-19 to rob" the class of 2020 of "important celebrations" at anews briefing in March.

King is also asking for changes to CERB to encourage people to work.

Morrison said large gatherings at weddings or public performances are unlikely to be allowed this summer.

With Phase 1 of the relaxing of pandemic restrictions in place, construction companies are eager to get started on new builds.

Here's a review of how the P.E.I. economy might fare as it emerges from the pandemic.

Some schools on P.E.I. will be reopening to students with priority needs as the province launches a respite care program for families during COVID-19.

Island pork producers are watching the problems at meat processing plants in other parts of Canada.

Also in the news

• Some Islanders want P.E.I. to follow the lead of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador to allow two families to form isolation bubbles,but so far it is not part of the Island's ease-back plan.
• A Charlottetown store with a 60-year history on the Island closed its doors back in February, right before the pandemic hit the province.
• Liquor sales on P.E.I. took a dip while the government closed all its stores for five days in March, but overall, sales for the fiscal year were still up over the previous year.
• The P.E.I. government would like to see the ferry to Nova Scotia running sooner than the currently planned June 1.
• As online services expand at P.E.I.'s provincial libraries, so has the number of people getting library cards.

Further resources

• Here isinformation for livingwith the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, andessential health services.
• Here arecharts tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.
• A full list ofCOVID-19 cancellationscan be viewed here. You can report closures on our cancellation hotline at 1-877-236-9350.

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.

Health Canada has built aself-assessment tool.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.

How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.
• Practisephysical distancing.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.