COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, Dec. 16

A doctor, nurse and resident case worker were the first three people on P.E.I. to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday.

Health PEI Chief of Nursing Marion Dowling says the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations went smoothly.

P.E.I. received about1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, as public health officials prepared to start rolling out a massive vaccination program.

With one of the largest Christian celebrations just days away, many churches on P.E.I. are left wondering how many people they will be able to welcome over the Christmas season.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Baillie spoke with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about what calls are up and which ones are down during the pandemic.

Island performers have had their Christmas shows cancelled in the circuit break lockdown, costing them expected earnings just before the holidays.

A P.E.I. high school student has developed a website of activities that people can do together over the holidays, even if they can't actually get together.

At a public health briefing, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said she hoped P.E.I. could start easing some but not all of the COVID-19 circuit breakerrestrictions this Friday. An official news release refers to the move as Post Circuit Breaker Holiday Measures,meant to keep the lid on large gatherings around Christmas time that could result in outbreaks.

The Chief Public Health Office is planning random spot checks on some of the 1,200 Islanders who will be self-isolating over the next few weeks, to make sure they are staying put.

Studentsin health-related fields at Collge de l'le and Holland College, such as the resident care worker program and the dental assistant program, had their on-the-job placements delayed back in March, meaning graduation didn't happen until November.

Amid complaints about the impossibility of physical distancing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during peak periods, Health PEI told CBC News that it is "exploring alternative options" to manage traffic flow.

P.E.I. high schools are having to re-examinetheir pandemic operational plans after a COVID-19 case at Charlottetown Rural."One thing I've learned from the pandemic is that I don't expect anything anymore," saidErin Johnston, assistant director with the Public Schools Branch. "It seems all very unpredictable."

House prices on Prince Edward Island have continued to zoom upwards during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the latest numbers from the Canadian Real Estate Association showing the average price rose 21 per cent from November 2019 to November 2020.

Also rising? Demand for the services of food banks, especially with Christmas approaching. In association with the food banks, CBC's Feed A Family campaign is trying to max out local donations by this Friday.

There were no new positive cases announced Wednesday. on P.E.I. The Island hashad 89 positive cases, with 16 active. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

New Brunswick reported eight new positive cases Wednesday, Newfoundland and Labrador five, and Nova Scotia four.

Also in the news

• After nine months of living through the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, actor Tessa Mossey says she feels "very, very spoiled" to be back home in Charlottetown.
• The latest requirements for travel to China are making it hard for people trying to get there from Prince Edward Island.
• School bus routes have faced new challenges during the pandemic, and the French Language School Board has received some assistance with that for the winter.
• Medical microbiologist Dr. Greg German discusses last week's record-breaking COVID-19 testing numbers with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.
• A major P.E.I. poultry producer says demand is stronger than normal this year for turkeys to be served over the next few weeks.

Further resources

• Here isinformation for livingwith the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measuresand essential health services.
• 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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