CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — There are no new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) in P.E.I., but it remains important to continue following established guidelines, said Dr. Heather Morrison.
The chief public health officer gave the update on Saturday afternoon, the first since Thursday. Since then, 129 negative tests were returned, with a total of close to 1,800 tests now conducted.
Being Easter weekend, Morrison reminded Islanders of the importance of continuing to practice physical distancing at a time when many families are used to getting together to celebrate.
“This year, it'll be different and it is hard… This Easter, everyone should only be celebrating in-person with those who you live with.”
The announcement comes as Nova Scotia confirmed another 21 cases, while Newfoundalnd and Labrador saw two and New Brunswick confirmed one on Thursday.
Capacity for testing on the Island continues to increase from “50 or 60” last weekend to almost 200 this weekend and the province’s testing rate per million is slightly higher than the national average, said Morrison.
“I feel like we’re in a much better position than we were two weeks ago and we’ll continue to increase that local testing capacity.”
Starting April 11, ground search and rescue crews will be present at provincial parks to help ensure physical distancing is being maintained.
Marion Dowling, Health P.E.I.'s chief of nursing, reminded those watching that the cough and fever clinics are operating seven days a week. On Friday, 69 people attended the clinic in Charlottetown while 30 attended the Summerside clinic.
Dowling also said there are 36 health-care providers registered with the new virtual health-care platform to start providing care in the coming days.
On Thursday, Dowling said an order of 26 ventilators from the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile had been rerouted to other, more affected, areas of the country. Since then, she received new information that 10 ventilators are being prepared to ship to the Island.
Dowling said those will be in addition to 27 more coming through purchase orders with the federal government and the province’s regular vendor, which are expected within the next month.
Morrison said she expects more cases, including some people who might need to be hospitalized. She thanked Islanders for following the health measures, which are having an impact in the province.
"What we are starting to talk about, and think about, is how and when we can ease up on some of these public health restrictions," she said.
“It’s not time yet, but I know we will all want to get there. And we will. Together.”
