COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Christmas Eve

The Island has three new cases of COVID-19, all related to travel outside the Atlantic region and all in people who have been self-isolating, says the province's Chief Public Health Office. Passengers on three Air Canada flights are being advised to monitor themselves for symptoms and report for a test if any appear.

Premier Dennis King made it official early Thursday morning: Santa Claus is free of COVID-19 and has his final approval to visit P.E.I. tonight.

A Summerside couple is brightening up the darker-than-usual holiday season for the seniors across the street through a Christmas light display that's been supplemented by donors.

Prince Edward Island Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry ishome in Tignish for Christmas and will play the pipe organ at Christmas Eve mass as she has done for decades.

After being put on hold due to the pandemic, the former Smith Lodge building in downtown Charlottetownis finally set to open its transitional housing beds.

An Island teacher reflects upon the 'enormous responsibility' of keeping students safe during the pandemic.

So long, 2020: Charlottetown'siconic waterfront sign welcomes the new year.

In her last interview with CBC P.E.I. before the holidays and the end of 2020, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison reflected on the tough past year, and looked ahead to some possible changes to pandemic protocols in the new year.

The Cornwall Lions Club handed out twice as many Christmas hampers this year as last year,and that need is being seen elsewhere on P.E.I. too as the pandemic continues to affect Islanders' bottom lines.

Health Canada has approved theModerna COVID-19 vaccine, and doses should arrive in Canada by the end of this year.

The popularity of pets has soared during the pandemic, andsome Islanders lookingfora pet from the P.E.I. Humane Society say they're frustrated at the lightning-fast adoptions they aren't even seeingnotices of new pets online before they are taken down.

Many older adults have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic in ways from whichthey may not be able to recover, says aP.E.I. geriatrician.

The Island hashad 91positive cases, with seven still active. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations in the province.

Also in the news

• A P.E.I. woman tackled pandemic boredom by making more than 100 tiny hats for newborns.
• CBC P.E.I. launched the first in a series of stories with Islanders who've made a difference in the lives of others during the pandemic, starting with the CEO of P.E.I. Seniors Homes, Jason Lee, who said that at one point he slept in hisbarn for fear of spreading the virus to his family.
• It won't be the Christmas they hoped for, but residents of long-term care homes on P.E.I. are pleased that visitor restrictions have been lifted somewhat in time for Christmas.
• The provinceisoffering cash to community halls to help them get through COVID-19 in the New Year.
• P.E.I.'s COVID-19 vaccination clinic is going smoothly, vaccinating 250 to 300 people a day,said Karen Ellis,the program lead for public health nursing on P.E.I., in aninterview withCBC News: Compass.
• Organizers with the volunteer group Santa's Angels say demand for Christmas-morning visits from Santa, complete with presents and food,is up again this year on Prince Edward Island.
• Afraid of needles, including the COVID-19 vaccine? It'smore common than people think, saysclinical psychologistKatie Birnie, who offered suggestions for coping with needle fear.

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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