With the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths declining across the country, many provinces, including P.E.I., are easing some restrictions.
However, the chief public health officer is reminding all Prince Edward Islanders that as each new phase unfolds to continue to follow the guidelines of hand-washing, physical distancing and limiting trips outside the home.
“As we go forward through these phases, we need to be informed and be prepared,” said Dr. Heather Morrison at the June 4 media briefing on the state of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in P.E.I.
Part of the province’s policy was questioned during the briefing, specifically measures taken at restaurants.
Names and phone numbers are collected from every group of diners, and one reporter wanted to know why and what will happen to the personal information. Restaurants are now open on P.E.I. with increased distance between tables, a maximum seating of 50 per establishment and no more than six people per table.
“We’ve asked restaurants to take the name of one person in the party, or one person in the household, so that if there was a case of illness at the restaurant identified and we had to do contact tracing, we’d be able to reach out and do that contact tracing more easily,” said Morrison.
Restaurants were asked to keep the information for one month and then destroy it. Morrison said the province will only use the information if it is needed for contact tracing.
By the numbers:
Following is some information provided by Dr. Heather Morrison at her briefing on Thursday morning:
- There are no new cases of the coronavirus on P.E.I. as of June 4.
- More than 250 tests have come back negative on P.E.I. since Tuesday.
- There are more than 93,000 cases of coronavirus across Canada and there have been more than 7,000 deaths.
- The number of new coronavirus cases in Canada is down 23 per cent over last week
Morrison also spoke on the topic of family reunification across the country and how to do it safely and in stages.
Morrison said she and other public health officers are discussing the matter and she will have more details in the days ahead.
“We know there are children that want to come home to see their parents, grandparents who want to see grandchildren,” said Morrison.
“But first and foremost is keeping Islanders safe and trying to figure out how we can have some of the family reunification in a safe way as well.”
In an Operation Isolation update, Morrison said there are currently around 20 people making phone calls. She feels that is enough staff, but if the situation changes, she’s ready to respond.
“If we need more capacity, we’ll get more capacity because it’s really important,” said Morrison.
“The majority of of people are self-isolating … we know nobody wants to be responsible for infecting their families, infecting their neighbour or community.”
Marion Dowling, chief of nursing for P.E.I., reported that surgeries are being rescheduled and the number of procedures is approaching normal monthly rates.
Diagnostic imaging is nearly back to normal.
“Staff have stepped up with augmented schedules to allow longer working shifts or days for services like diagnostic imaging to spread out the volume of people who would be attending at any given time,” said Dowling.
Dowling reminded patients that even though restrictions are easing, P.E.I. is a safe place to be and it is safe to keep appointments.
Anyone with concerns is urged to discuss them with their health care provider, said Dowling.
“Please know that appropriate precautions are in place to ensure our hospitals and health centres are safe," she said.
"Attending your appointments and getting your procedures is important to your health.”
Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
