Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed the third case of coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) on Prince Edward Island at 5 p.m., March 22.
The announcement comes as the total number of cases in Canada surpasses 1,300.
The new case is a 20-year-old woman from Queen's County who had returned from international travel, said Morrison.
“I spoke to her this morning myself and she’s at home and doing well with very mild-symptoms.”
The woman arrived in Canada on March 14, flying into Toronto from Spain. She stayed at a hotel to self-isolate, then, on March 16, she flew from Toronto to Moncton on WestJet flight 3456, leaving Toronto at 8:45 a.m. and arriving in Moncton at 12:05 p.m.
She then travelled in a vehicle to the Island and again self-isolated. On March 17, she was tested.
Public health is in the process of following up with those she may have had contact with.
In the meantime, all passengers on the flight should self-isolate for 14 days, said Morrison.
“I think at this point in time with so many people on airplanes the decision has been to make sure you give that advice to everyone on the plane, so I do not know at this point how many Islanders may have been on that plane.”
As of 1 p.m. on March 22, there were over 390 tests conducted in P.E.I., with 231 returned negative and pending results on 159.
Morrison also spoke briefly about the patience and cooperation of those who have gone through the additional screening measures put in place March 21 at all entry points to the province and again expressed her gratitude for Islanders.
“I want to thank Islanders every day for their understanding and patience and compliance following our screening measures and our messaging around staying at home.”
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