COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Aug. 23

Prince Edward Island reported five new cases of COVID-19 Friday.

Onepersonis in their 30s, three are in their 20s and one personis under 10. All recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said in a news release.

The CPHOhas also issued a potential public exposure notice. A person from Atlantic Canada, who was recently on P.E.I.,tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home. The CPHO said the person may have been able to transmit the coronaviruswhile on the Island.The potential exposure occurred at the Cork and Cast restaurant on Weymouth Street in Charlottetown on Wednesday, Aug. 25 between 1 and 3:30 p.m.

The latest vaccination numbers released Thursday show 79.6 per centof eligible Islanders have two doses, and 91 per centhave at least one dose.

There are now eight active cases on P.E.I. There have been 230cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. since the pandemic was declared in March 2020.

School masking requirements

Prince Edward Island's Public Schools Branch and La Commission scolaire de langue franaise say they are taking the advice ofP.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office, and will require masks for students and staff on buses and in some parts of schools this fall, a written news release said Friday.

Students will be permitted to remove their masks when seated in classrooms.

This, after theP.E.I. Teachers' Federation said Wednesday itwould like to seesome mandatory mask recommendations in the province's back-to-school plan.

The Chief Public Health Office's back-to-school plan recommendssome masking until at least October, with apromise that recommendations will changeif there is a large enoughrise in community transmission.

Others hadalso expressed concern about the plan including the P.E.I.Home and School Federation,Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker, and Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Heather Morrison mentioned in her briefing Tuesday that she and her team and their partners have faced"inappropriate, bullying, demeaning"comments and behaviour, but did not specify what those were.

UPEI, Holland College make vaccines mandatory

Holland College said Wednesday it's making vaccines mandatory for students and staff. The post-secondary school made the announcement a day after the University of Prince Edward Island made the same decision.

Both institutions said they decided to make the move after consultations with the Chief Public Health Office.

The schools say exemptions to the mandate will be granted based on medical, religious or cultural reasons. Exempted people would have to undergo weekly testing and wear masks at all times.

6 new cases last week

P.E.I.'s Public Health office reported sixnew cases of COVID-19 lastweek.

The province announced on Saturdaythat three new people hadtested positive for the disease. All those people had recently travelled outside Atlantic Canada.

Two flight notifications were issued, one forWestJet flight WS330 from Toronto to Charlottetown on Thursday, Aug. 19, and another forAir Canada flight 634 from Toronto to Charlottetown departingon Aug. 19and arrivingAug. 20.

Officials have also identified the following flights and places as potential exposure sites:

Unvaccinated people who were at those places during the specified times are being told to get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate while they await the results. All individuals at risk of having been exposed, including those who have been vaccinated, should monitor for symptoms.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick reported 16 new COVID-19 cases Friday, and has 160 active cases.
• Nova Scotia confirmed nine new cases Friday. Another person has recovered, raisingthe active case count to 55.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reportedsevennewcases of COVID-19 on Friday, marking the highest disclosure of new cases in six weeks. The province now has 14 active cases.

Also in the news

• 45 per cent of departing Health P.E.I. staff who took part in exit surveys cited a "toxic workplace"as one of their main reasons for leaving the provincial health authority, and COVID-19 restrictions have exacerbated retention issues, a report found.

• P.E.I. veterinarians say they've beenfeeling strained due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau praised Islanders for their vaccination efforts during a campaign stop in Cornwall on Sunday.
• The federal election returning offices in P.E.I.'s four ridings are up and running, with COVID protocols in place. More people are expected to vote by mail this election because of the pandemic.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 12.
• Islanders over 18can book an appointment to receive theModerna vaccine at a pharmacy.
• You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

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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