Charge laid in connection with COVID-19 outbreak at Charlottetown school

The P.E.I. Department of Justice and Public Safety confirms to CBC News that a person tied to the COVID-19 outbreak at West Royalty Elementary School has been charged under the Public Health Act.

A spokesperson with the department says the person was a close contact of someone at the Charlottetown school who tested positive.

The unnamed individual has been charged with failingto self-isolate.

Charges can result in fines starting at $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses.

Provincial officials say they have received 848 complaints about breaches of public health orders since the pandemic began in the spring of 2020.

The department has issued213 warnings andconducted 1,444 random residence checks in connection with peoplewho had been told toself-isolate.

A total of 220 public health charges have been laid on Prince Edward Island since the pandemic began, including:

• 10 charges for illegal entry into the province;
• 25 for obstruction of a public health official;
• 16 for gatherings exceeding limits imposed by the Chief Public Health Office; and
• 169 for failure to isolate.