COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, Jan. 23

Larger organized gatherings and later hours for bars and restaurantsare now allowed as P.E.I. eased some of its COVID-19 restrictions effective Saturday.

There have been no reported cases of influenza on P.E.I. this season, as well as fewer cases of coughs and colds, which the Chief Public Health Office creditsto "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 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 17 new cases on Saturday.There are now 328 active cases in the province. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador had no new cases Saturday.

Also in the news

• 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 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.
• 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.

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.

More from CBC P.E.I.