Charlottetown, P.E.I. – Dr. Heather Morrison, chief public health officer for P.E.I., confirmed a woman in her 50s from Queen's County has tested positive for COVID-19.
The woman returned to the Island after taking a cruise and Morrison said she followed procedure, calling 811, results came back this afternoon.
Morrison told reporters the woman arrived in Canada on March 7, experienced symptoms on March 10 and went into isolation. She said testing for COVID-19 was performed on March 11 and sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, MB.
Update from Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison: Situation continues to evolve. Confirming first positive case in P.E.I. #PEICovid19
— Michael Robar (@MichaelRobar) March 14, 2020
Morrison says patient is woman in 50s from Queen's County area returning from cruise. She followed procedure, calling 811, results came back this afternoon.
— Michael Robar (@MichaelRobar) March 14, 2020
Contact tracing has already begun, so anyone who may have come into close contact with her since developing symptoms will be contacted, said Morrison.
“The woman is at home with mild illness. She is well and her family is well.”
The illness typically lasts 14 days and before returning to work the woman will require two negative test results taken 24 hours apart, which Morrison said will be consistent with any other positive cases going forward.
A total of 68 tests have been completed in the last three days.
Despite the confirmation, P.E.I.’s status as a low-risk area remains unchanged, said Morrison.
“I think we have, in Canada, relatively low-risk of community transmission at this time... certainly, because the cases have been all linked, or most of them have been linked to out of country travel, that’s really the risk.”
Taking questions re: confirmed patient: Woman arrived in Canada March 7, experienced symptoms March 10 and went into isolation and called 811. Testing performed March 11, but not performed locally.
— Michael Robar (@MichaelRobar) March 14, 2020
Contact tracing has started taking place as results were only confirmed before the meeting, but contact is being made with people confirmed case may have come into contact with.
— Michael Robar (@MichaelRobar) March 14, 2020
Morrison says we "still have a relatively low risk of community transmission at this time."
— Michael Robar (@MichaelRobar) March 14, 2020
No changes are being made to current recommendations for the public, but Morrison did offer some clarifications.
While non-essential travel is still not recommended, essential travel remains unaffected, she said.
“I think it’s important to mention essential travel, which means really the movement of goods and the transportation of people across borders, which would apply to truck drivers and airline crews is fine, but...[they] should monitor their symptoms every day.”
Further, self-isolation protocols should be followed when returning from anywhere outside Canada, including the U.S., whether someone is experiencing symptoms or not, she said.
“If you have traveled from March 8 onward, it’s recommended you self-isolate for a total of 14 days. If you had international travel prior to March 8, you should continue to monitor for symptoms.”
Those living with someone following self-isolation protocol are able to continue daily activities as normal, said Morrison, but if the person self-isolating begins experiencing symptoms, those living with them should also self-isolate and monitor symptoms until test results are confirmed.
As for school closures, Morrison said they are following suit with the rest of the provinces and federal government recommendations and it’s likely a decision which will be made early this week.
Further updates will be given at tomorrow's briefing, which will take place at the same time.
Islanders with questions are directed to call the toll-fre information line, 1-800-958-6400. The line is taking messages 24-hours a day, 7 days a week and Islanders who leave a message will receive a call back within 24 hours.
If experiencing symptoms (cough, fever, or shortness of breath) within 14 days after internation travel, they should call 811 for screening and, if necessary, directed for testing.
Those requiring immediate medical attention should call 911.
For general questions about the virus, visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19
