COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, Jan. 7

P.E.I. announced one new COVID-19 case on Thursday. The woman in her 20s arrived in the province by vehicle from outside the Atlantic region and has been self-isolating.

In her weekly chat with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin, Dr. Heather Morrison said the first Moderna vaccine doses will be given out Friday.

She also said the goal is to have all residents and staff in long-term care and community care facilities vaccinated with their first dose by Jan. 22.

After taking a hard hit in the spring, with hundreds more businesses than usual shutting down, P.E.I. saw a strong recovery in the summer months.

Essential workers on P.E.I. are scheduled to receive vaccines against COVID-19 in the spring, and retail workers are wondering where they fit into that.

As the only Maritime Junior-A Hockey League team on P.E.I., the Summerside Western Capitals are in an unusual situation they don't have anyone to play.

The University of Prince Edward Island is partnering with the provincial government to support new students arriving for the winter term who need to self-isolate.

P.E.I. is aiming to have just over 15,000 Islandersvaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of March. Morrison said 3,600 will have been vaccinated by the end of the week.

P.E.I.'s chief of nursing says the province is on track to meet that goal and hopes 80 per cent of the population will opt to get the vaccine by the end of summer.

A vaccinology specialist at Dalhousie University is hopeful vaccine hesitancy won't be a problem in Atlantic Canada.

Truckers on P.E.I. are welcomingnews they could be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of March.

P.E.I. has removedsome of the pandemic restrictions it put into place in early December, including allowing spectators back at some sporting events.

The Island has now had 102casesof COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Eight remain active.

Also in the news

• The City of Charlottetown is encouraging residents to keep holiday lights up during the pandemic winter.
• P.E.I. MLAsaredefending their traveloutside the province and country.
• If you're looking for winter sports equipment on P.E.I. you may already be too late, as Islanders have been rushing to retailers in search of skis, snowshoes, and winter hiking boots.

Further resources

• Here isinformation for livingwith the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measuresand essential health services.
• 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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