COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, March 24

Prince Edward Island opened up COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone 18 to 29 years old who works with the public but some people are discovering the shots are tricky to come by.

The ferry service between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., resumes May 1 and officials are hoping for an increase in passengers over last year.

Six games in the Maritime Junior Hockey League have had to be postponed, after one of the Summerside Western Capitals was reported to be among recentCOVID-19 cases.The team made the announcement Wednesday.

Don't have a Prince Edward Island health card? You can still be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination on the Island. Here's how the province's policy on requiring a health card has evolved.

WestJet says it intends to resume flying to several Eastern Canada destinations in late June. The Charlottetown-Toronto flights are expected back on June 24 after a hiatus of several months due to COVID-19.

The QEH Foundation is offering an online 50-50 draw this spring to make up for a drop in traditional community fundraising because of pandemic public health restrictions.

On Tuesday, Dr. Heather Morrison and Chief of Nursing Marion Dowlinggave more details ofwho's next in linefor vaccines at the regular weekly briefing.

Beginning Thursday, people60-69 with certain specific serious underlying health conditions and their primary caregivers can book a vaccine appointment. People aged 18-29 who cannot work from home and have jobs in which they must interact with the public can book now.

What will the summer tourismseason look like? More Atlantic than usual, Morrison said Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. said it was disappointed but not surprised.

Prince Edward Islandhotels that were open last week experienced a nice bump from March break staycationers, says the president of the Hotel Association of P.E.I.

The P.E.I. government says the number of businesses and not-for-profits that applied to be part of the province's Jobs for Youth wage subsidy program in 2020 was double that of previous years.

The Charlottetown Islanders are on a 12-game winning streak, and are currently the top team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.However due to pandemic restrictions, for most of the season they have played only two teams, Halifax and Cape Breton.

P.E.I. has had 152diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with no deaths or hospitalizations. There are still eight active cases, after Tuesday's two new cases and two additional recoveries.

New Brunswick reported 12 new cases of COVID-19on Wednesday for a total of 63 active cases. Officials said mass testing would begin in the Edmundston area Thursday, with the health ministercalling the numbers"concerning."

Nova Scotia reported five new cases, three of them close contacts of previously reported cases.

Newfoundland and Labrador officials said they planto ease restrictions this weekend as they reported one newcase after five days with none.

Also in the news

• Police in Charlottetown released details of another $1,000 fine for hosting a large gathering, which they called "disappointing."
• In an opinion column, clinical psychiatrist Dr. HeatherKeizer offers suggestions to build resilience during the pandemic and beyond.
• The four Atlantic premiers announced last weekthey plan to reopen their provincial bordersfor freer travel byresidents of the region by April 19,barring any further serious outbreaks of COVID-19.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over75.
• People 70 to 74, with birthdays from January to August.
• People 18 to 29 who cannot work virtually and have interactions with the public.
• Firefighters, police officers, power-line workers.
• Residents and staff of long-term care homes.
• Adults living in Indigenous communities.
• Residents and staff of shared living facilities.
• Truck drivers and other rotational workers.

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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