COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Tuesday, May 25

Many Canadians relying on employment insurance this year are in for a "rude awakening"come September, says P.E.I. Sen.Diane Griffin. That's when some measures meant to ease people off the Canada emergency response benefit and onto EIare set to expire.

This week's regular provincial briefing waspostponed from Tuesday to Thursday. Premier Dennis King says he will present the province'splan for an "open, safe" summer.

P.E.I. National Park staff are looking forward to visitation numbers returning to something closer to normal this summer.

Horses were back on the tracks in Charlottetown and Summerside Monday, and Red Shores is looking forward to a season of racing even with pandemic restrictions.

It won't be the same as hearing that "beautiful blend" of 350 women singing a capella live together, but a barbershop chorus on P.E.I. says holding anannual conference onlinehas its benefits.

With COVID-19 putting a stop to a lot of team sports, more people are getting intosolo activities like skateboarding especially women and girls.

There have been 200cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. and13are considered active. There have been no deaths and two hospitalizations.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

• Nova Scotia reported54 new casesof COVID-19 on Tuesday. It has 846 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported 11 new cases. It has 93active cases.
• Nine new caseswere confirmedin New Brunswick. It now has 134active cases.

Also in the news

• The Charlottetown Festivalreturns this Junewith a play celebrating the life of a Newfoundland and Labrador scientist who became known as "the whale man."
• Many couples who planned to marry on the Island in 2020 postponed their weddings, but those who work in the wedding industry say some arestill hesitant to book for this summer, given the pandemic gathering limits and travel restrictions still in place.
• Although it will be much like 2020,P.E.I. high schools are proceeding withtheir graduation and prom plans.
• Starting in June, junior high students on P.E.I. can receivethe first dose of their COVID-19 vaccinesat in-school clinics run by public health nurses.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 12.
• Islanders over 40 can book an appointment for a Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.

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.

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