COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Feb. 13

The province will be providing less frequent COVID-19 updates going forward, with updates now scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Outbreaks at the Community Hospital O'Leary and Prince County Correctional Centre are now over and as of Thursday, there are two people in hospital treated forCOVID-19, according to the Chief Public Health Office.

The Charlottetown Islanders and Summerside Western Capitals will welcome fans back to their rinks this weekend for the first time in more than two months, with hope thatit will make up for financial losses caused bythe pandemic.

Thursday marks the first day in P.E.I.'s plan to ease public health measures, with changes inpersonal gathering limits andtravel restrictions for fully-vaccinated travellers.

A person between 40 and 59 is the 15th COVID-related death of the pandemic, P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison announced in a news release Wednesday.

Two seniors' homes, including Garden Home in Charlottetown where a COVID-19 outbreak was declared over on Tuesday, are found to be operating with provisional licences, which means they have been unable to meet all provincial standards of care.

Outbreaksat the Community Hospital O'Leary and Prince County Correctional Centre were declared over Thursday.

Two years into the pandemic, women are still facing increased pressures from COVID-19 when it comes to stress over caregiving, food insecurity and money, according to the P.E.I. Council on the Status of Women.

The Emergencies Act announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in response to ongoing protests against pandemic restrictionsmight be needed elsewhere, but not on P.E.I., said Premier Dennis King.

Tourism operators on P.E.I. are seeinga jump in bookings for the upcoming season since the government announced the plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

After taking his 74th COVID-19 test this week, a P.E.I. rotational worker shares what it's like to have his nose swabbed for the virus dozens of times and how it helps him see what life is like for those working in testing facilities.

Wait times for P.E.I.'s telehealthservice also known as 811 soared during the height of Omicron,according to the Nova Scotia-based company that has a contract with the Island's Department of Health and Wellness to provide the service.

A convoy made upof Islanders protesting vaccine mandates rolled through downtown CharlottetownSaturday afternoon.

During that convoy, aCharlottetown-area veteran stood guard in front of the city's cenotaph for several hours.

Health P.E.I. vaccination clinics and pharmacies are taking appointments for this week.

There are 2,118 active cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. and there have been 11,491total cases. Over the last seven days there have been an average of 217newcases per day.

Public exposure and flight notifications have been paused by the provincial government. Under current conditions, the province says all public places should be considered potential exposure sites.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswickhas loosened its COVID-19 restrictions, entering Level 1 of its winter plan this Saturday. On Friday, the provincereported one COVID-related death and said eight people were in intensive care.
• Nova Scotiareported 54individualsin designated COVID-19 hospital units Sunday, including 12in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorhospitalizations dropped down to 13 people on Friday. Five people are in intensive care. The province also announced it will be providing less frequent COVID-19 updates.

Top news from last week

• The P.E.I. government has approved a three-step plan to navigate through COVID-19 restrictions beginning Feb. 17, Premier Dennis King said Tuesday during a news briefing.
• Officials say most COVID-related deaths in P.E.I. have involved long-term care facility residents.
• The pandemic has caused some challenges for international students in P.E.I.
• The Chief Public Health Office is making plans to update its guidance on rapid testingto include the option to swab both your throat and nose.
• The growing list of possible COVID-19 exposures in Island schools since last week's reopening hasn't led to outbreaks or closures.

Other helpful stories

• How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19
• Here is the latest pandemic mask advice
• Your COVID-19 rapid test is positive. Now what?
• P.E.I. government bringing back pandemic supports for workers
• My family caught COVID-19. Here's what I wish I'd known
• Why COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are rare on P.E.I.

The P.E.I. Vax Pass

The P.E.I. Vax Pass is now required at a number of businesses and events. Here's a look athow to get the pass, and how it works.

Here's alistof where you need to show proof of vaccination on P.E.I.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Third shots are available for Islanders 18 and older, six months following their second shot.
• Islanders can book an appointment to receive thevaccine at a pharmacy or a public health clinic.
• You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

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:

• New or worsening cough.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose, sneezing or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle, joint or body aches.
• Feeling unwell or unusually tired.
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.