COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, Jan. 22

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison further eased P.E.I.'s pandemicrestrictionsFriday. Right now, the Island remains in a post-circuit-breaker phase, not quite back to the "new normal." Larger organized gatherings and later bar/restaurant hours are two of the measures.

There have been no reported cases of influenza on P.E.I. this season, as well as fewer cases of coughs and colds, andMorrison credits"unintended impacts" of pandemic restrictions.

With cough and cold season all but non-existent this year because of COVID-19 health measures, Honibelozenge-maker Island Abbey Foodshas laid off 30 staff.

Despite those layoffs, it'sbeen a banner year for P.E.I.'s biosciences sector, with more than 200 new jobsin 2020, and seven Island bioscience companiesplanning major expansions this year.

The governmentis openingwork and study hubs across P.E.I. to provide workspaces and reliable internet access to people who need it, amidchanges to the way people are working during the pandemic.

There's been a reorganizationin the top ranks at Health PEI, after lessons learned about improved workflowduring COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Gardamis now Health P.E.I.'s new chief operating officer, and said hewants to find out whyP.E.I. continues tostrugglewith a shortage of family physicians and nurses.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases reported on P.E.I. remains110, with sevenstill active. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

New Brunswick announced 30new cases on Friday.There are now 331active cases in the province. Nova Scotia reported four new cases, with 22 nowactive, andsaid two previous cases were found to be variants of the coronavirus.

Also in the news

• Morrison says P.E.I. has given 6,500 doses of vaccine on P.E.I. so far.
• Work on the new Oyster Bed Bridgewill take a monthlonger than expected due to COVID-19-related supply chain issues.
• P.E.I.'s rotational workers will likely be the first to see an easing of isolation requirements once they've received their vaccinations, a standing committee on health and social development heard Wednesday.
• The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is asking Islanders to shift 10 per cent of their annual spending to support locally owned and operated businesses during the next phase in the Love Local P.E.I. campaign.
• The Charlottetown Islanders' games this weekend against the Cape Breton Eagles have been cancelled due to travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Islanders haven't played since the Atlantic bubble was suspended in November,and it's uncertain when they'll play again.

Further resources

• Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March, and a timeline of 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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