REPLAY: One new case of coronavirus on P.E.I. Tuesday, July 14

P.E.I.’s chief public health officer has confirmed another new case of COVID-19 in the province.

Dr. Heather Morrison provided the update on the coronavirus (COVID-19) during a briefing Tuesday morning.

“The World Health Organization warns that we have not reached the peak of the pandemic,” said Morrison.

“The events of the last 10 days remind us that COVID-19 continues to be in our province.”

The latest confirmed case on P.E.I. is an essential worker in his 30s who had recently travelled internationally. He was in self-isolation when he started feeling ill and remains at home with mild symptoms.

This latest case is not related to the cluster announced last week or the recent cases connected to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

In total, P.E.I. has nine active cases and there have been 36 confirmed cases in total, said Morrison.

P.E.I.'S PANDEMIC BY THE NUMBERS:

• 883 - households currently in Operation Isolation
• 6,121 - households successfully completed isolation
• 10,400 - calls to 1-800 COVID help line
• 15,500 - tests completed in total
• 2,000 - tests done last week 
• 133 - warnings issued, most for failing to self-isolate 
• 367 - compliance checks made by enforcement agencies
• 28 - charges laid, with fines starting at $1,000 each
• 2 - people tried in provincial court 
• 745 - routine COVID-19 inspections, majority are satisfactory 
• 133 - unsatisfactory inspections, most for lack of operation plan
• 18,417 - vehicles visiting P.E.I. since July 3
• 15,572 - vehicles arriving by Confederation Bridge since July 3
• 2,485 - vehicles arriving by ferry since July 3
• 38,000 - individuals visiting P.E.I. since July 3

All of the active cases are at home, doing well and self-isolating, she said.

Providing an update on the situation involving the hospital, Morrison said there were 506 tests submitted to the provincial lab yesterday and all were negative. The tests included those from hospital staff and patients along with others from around the province.

All of the patients who came into contact with the COVID-19-positive health-care worker are to be contacted by noon Tuesday to schedule testing, said Morrison.

Some patients will need to be tested twice, depending on when they visited the hospital.

In response to a reporter who asked if P.E.I. had avoided the worst, Morrison said she won’t breathe easily until everyone’s tests are completed.

Morrison said some people have been wondering why essential workers are able to work without self-isolating after travel.

GOOD TO KNOW:

P.E.I.’s chief public health officer said while people cannot completely avoid risks of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) they can take steps to protect ourselves and others.

“We should use the tools at our disposal to really fight back and protect against COVID-19,” said Dr. Heather Morrison. 

Here are the tools she mentions at each briefing:

• Wear a mask or face covering in public indoor spaces 
• Keep six feet separation from others
• Wash hands often
•  Keep circle of contacts small
• Stay home from work when not feeling well 
• Call 811 if experiencing symptoms

P.E.I. has exempted all essential workers from 14-day self-isolation, opting instead for work-isolation where they isolate while not at work and monitor for symptoms, Morrison said. Health-care workers are tested before returning to work if they have travelled outside the Atlantic bubble.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, thousands of essential workers, including health-care workers, have entered Prince Edward Island. These workers range from health care to construction and manufacturing, aerospace, to specialized equipment repair and maintenance workers,” said Morrison.

Also at the briefing, Morrison said the Borden testing site was up and running as of noon Monday. So far, 40 essential workers have taken advantage of the service.

“Overall, the Atlantic bubble is going well with most people completing the online declaration in advance making for a more efficient process at the point of entry,” said Morrison.

All four Atlantic provinces share similar public health measures, and proper hygiene is important everywhere, said Morrison. 

Even though none of the cases announced in the last 10 days are related to the Atlantic bubble, Premier Dennis King was questioned about his plans.

King said that, from the beginning, he has been taking his cues from Morrison.

“As of today, we feel very comfortable with our ability to contain it – to deal with the number of cases that are here – and we continue to re-evaluate every day,” said the premier, adding later his government is several weeks away from discussing a bigger bubble.

As for slowing down visitors to the Island, King said “not at this time”.

“We’ve been consistent from the beginning that if it’s indicated that we need to do that, we will do it, and we will do it quickly,” said King.

P.E.I.’s chief of nursing Marion Dowling spoke at the briefing to say the public health measures and infection prevention precautions - in place all along - continue to work well and will be helped by enhanced personal protective equipment protocols at the QEH.

Visitor restrictions at the QEH remain in place. No visitors are allowed except in labour and delivery, pediatrics, the intensive care unit and the neonatal intensive care units. These nursing units allow two visitors per patient. Patients at end-of-life may still have up to six visitors. 

“Anyone visiting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital must call ahead to the service area where your loved one is being cared for to facilitate a visit,” said Dowling.

Patients coming for appointments are still allowed to bring a support person. 

Dowling reminded Islanders that it is still safe to attend appointments and to call 911 or seek help at the emergency department in times of emergency.

“We have strong screening procedures and personal protective equipment protocols in place,” said Dowling.

“We went to ensure that, not only do we contain the spread of COVID-19, but that during this pandemic, the pandemic doesn’t cause Islanders to get sicker because they don’t seek out care when they need it.” 

Dowling wrapped up her portion of the briefing with a quick summary.

“Attend your appointments, seek emergency care if needed and bring your own mask if you can,” said Dowling.

Morrison closed with her usual benediction, saying “some days we need to think about it more than others.”

“Let’s continue to look after each other. Let us be caring, let us be patient and let us be kind. Thank you.”

Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.