COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Nov. 28

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer,said Friday that the provincewill soon make theCOVID-19 booster shot available for Islanders who are 18 and up, following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

P.E.I. announced new travel-related measures in response to concerns about the new omicron variant. The measures include more test requirements for international travellers, and a ban on children under 12 travelling to participate ininterprovincialsport tournaments or cultural events.

An infectious disease specialist is advising parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, saying the safety of the vaccine has been extensively tested.

If your child is afraid of getting the needle for the vaccine, here are some books that might help.

P.E.I. has recovered the number of jobs it lost in the pandemic, but the jobs themselves are very different.

On Wednesday, the province announced seven new cases, six of which are related to travel. One more was reported on Thursday, and another on Friday.

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said Tuesday the recent spike in COVID-19 cases would havebeen worsewere it notfor the province's high vaccination rates.

The beef processing plant in Albany is short on workers. Much of the skilled labour from foreign countries it relies on is having trouble getting across international borders.

A staff member at a Charlottetown nursing home has come down with COVID-19, but so far all close contacts in the home have tested negative.

Some churches are expressing frustration that they can't relax gathering limits by requiring a Vax Pass.

Five new cases of COVID-19 were announced on Sunday, along with a long list of potential exposure sites.

More than 100 children aged five to 11 got vaccinated in P.E.I.'s first pediatric vaccine clinic.

The P.E.I. Humane Society has reached capacity, partly because of how the pandemic affected the birth of kittens in the province.

Current cases

As of Friday, P.E.I.has 19 active COVID-19 casesand has seen a total of 382confirmed cases since the pandemic began. There have been two hospitalizations and no deaths.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick reported two COVID-related deaths and 97 new cases on Friday. The government also released its winter plan for COVID-19, which will go into effect on Saturday. The province has 711 active cases.
• Nova Scotia announced 20 new cases on Friday. The province's active caseload is now 199.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported five new cases since its last report Wednesday. The active case count has dropped to 20.

Top news from last week

• A Charlottetown church is requiring parshioners attending in personto be fully vaccinated.
• After almost two years of pandemic restrictions, music students at UPEI are back performing in large ensembles again, with three performances this week.
• Some parents affected by a cluster of COVID19 cases in West Prince are frustrated their children have to self-isolate while others do not.

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.

How to access your vaccination record

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P.E.I.'s Vax Pass rules are now in effect. Here's how to access your record.

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

And, here's a look at how the vax pass can protect you.

Where you'll need your Vax Pass

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P.E.I.'s Vax Pass rules are now in effect. Here's where you will and won't need to show your proof of vaccination.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• 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:

• 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.