CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — P.E.I. announced its first confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) over the weekend and is closing nursing and long-term care facilities to visitors in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
The announcements came from Dr. Heather Morrison, chief public health officer for P.E.I., during media briefings Saturday and Sunday afternoon. On Sunday, she was joined by Marion Dowling, Health P.E.I.’s chief of nursing, allied health and patient experience.
The confirmed case is a woman in her 50s from Queen’s County who returned from a cruise on March 7, experienced symptoms on March 10 and self-isolated. On March 11, she was tested and a positive result was returned Saturday afternoon from testing at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, MB, said Morrison.
“The woman is at home with mild illness. She is well and her family is well.”
Contact tracing—contacting anyone she may have come in contact with—was completed as of Sunday, said Morrison.
“All those who have had close contact with the patient have been contacted as part of the follow-up…and additional contact tracing is underway for any further contact with that case.”
The woman will remain in isolation for at least 14 days and will require two negative tests taken 24 hours apart before returning to work.
All other Islanders on the cruise were contacted, but Morrison could not release the name of the cruise line at the time, she said on Sunday.
“I will be able to make that public, it just has to go through…a bit of a notification process with our federal counterparts because the cruise is not based in Canada.”
On Saturday, a firm March 8 date was attached to self-isolating procedures for those returning from international travel. Anyone returning from then onward is recommended to self-isolate.
Further changes to recommendations were made on Sunday, when it was announced nursing and long-term care facilities would close to visitors and non-essential services would be temporarily suspended.
Schools are unaffected for now, though students and staff who had left the country are being told to return to Canada immediately and to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Self-quarantine procedures also apply to children attending daycares, including those children whose parents have returned from outside the country.
As for the suspension of non-essential services, Dowling said health care professionals performing those services will be redeployed, so their skills can better aid Islanders going forward.
“While not all services are deemed essential during a pandemic, it’s important to stress that all people are essential.”
A total of 68 tests had been completed in the three days leading into the weekend.
Despite the confirmation, P.E.I.’s status as a low-risk area remains unchanged.
Late Saturday night, Premier Dennis King released a video on Twitter and Facebook, updating Islanders about his family’s status—they are exhibiting not symptoms and will remain in isolation—and reminding them that while the confirmed case of the virus is concerning, it was also expected.
“However, this is also a time to remain calm, yet vigilant and to follow the expert advice of our chief public health office.”
The province also released a statement Sunday, saying King was in contact with Mayor Philip Brown to update one another and coordinate efforts to protect Islanders and minimize economic disruptions.
Islanders with questions are directed to call the toll-free information line, 1-800-958-6400. The line is taking messages 24-hours a day, seven 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 international 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
