CANADA, January 22 - Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced one additional death related to COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island. The individual is over the age of 80 years.

“It’s difficult for us to hear of another Islander that has passed away related to COVID-19,” said Dr. Morrison. “I offer my sincere condolences to this individual’s family during this difficult time.”

To respect the privacy of the family, no further details of the death will be released at this time. Dr. Heather Morrison announced 288 new cases of COVID-19 and 228 recoveries as of 8:00 am on Saturday, January 22.

“Vaccines and boosters are key to protect Islanders from COVID-19. This is particularly important for Islanders over the age of 50 who tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19,” said Dr. Heather Morrison. “There are vaccination appointments available in communities, including hundreds next week, across the province for both third dose boosters and vaccines for children 5 to 11 years of age.”

These new cases are still under investigation. There are currently 2,489 active cases of COVID-19 and there have been 5,916 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Over the last seven days there have been an average of 290 cases per day. 

There are six individuals in hospital being treated for COVID-19, including one person in the Intensive Care Unit.  There are two others in hospital who are positive for COVID-19 but are being treated for illnesses other than COVID-19.

There are currently outbreaks in the following locations: 

• Long Term Care Facilities (five facilities with outbreaks):
  • Andrews of Park West
  • Atlantic Baptist Home
  • Beach Grove Home
  • Clinton View Lodge 
  • Garden Home
• Community Care Facilities (two facilities with outbreaks):
  • Bevan Lodge
  • Miscouche Villa
• Early Learning and Child Care Centres:
  • 19 centres with cases of COVID-19
  • Five centres open
  • Six centres closed
  • Eight centres operating at a reduced capacity
  • One centre, more information pending
• Other congregate settings: 
  • Population that accesses shelter and outreach services in Charlottetown
  • Prince County Correctional Centre 
  • Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility
  • Provincial Correctional Centre
  • St. Eleanor’s House

The Chief Public Health Office will announce when outbreaks are declared over. 

As of Wednesday, January 19 96.1 per cent of Island residents over the age of 12 years received at least one dose of vaccine and 92.9 per cent were fully vaccinated. 61 per cent of children ages 5 to 11 had one dose and 43,863 individuals have their booster dose. Approximately 23,800 people are eligible to receive the booster dose but have not yet done so.

Health PEI is reminding eligible Islanders of the hundreds of vaccination appointments still available this week at clinics across the province for first, second and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including dedicated appointments for children.

In order to preserve the limited capacity of Health PEI testing clinics, until further notice, testing will continue to be limited to the following:

• Symptomatic individuals
• Close contacts of positive cases 
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive at a point-of-entry
• Confirmatory tests for individuals who test preliminary positive with a rapid antigen test

Individuals who do not have symptoms do not require testing (unless in one of the above categories). Those who are presenting for testing related to travel (for example: day 4 tests) will be provided with at home rapid antigen tests, two tests to be taken 48 hours apart.

Islanders are reminded that supports are available for those impacted by COVID-19.  The Prince Edward Island Emergency Payment for Workers, Emergency Income Relief for Self-Employed, and the COVID-19 Special Leave Fund programs are now accepting applications.  Islanders may also be eligible for programs through the Government of Canada such as the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit(link is external) or the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Individuals who are isolating and require supports are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be directed to nearby community support systems, or provincial government service offices.  This assistance includes help with securing food, personal prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other emergency situations.  A modified school food lunch program is also available to have pre-cooked meals delivered to homes starting this week.  The program operates on a self-referral basis.  More information is available here. 

As always, all Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics(link is external) or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 years can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.  

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed, and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Get vaccinated
• Wear a properly fitted, three-layer mask in indoor public places and in outdoor public places where physical distancing from others cannot be maintained
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops
• Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

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Media Contact: Morgan Martin Health and Wellness (902) 218-3430 mxmartin@gov.pe.ca