P.E.I. has one new case of coronavirus (COVID-19) said the chief public health officer on Thursday.
The news came at an unscheduled news briefing July 9.
The latest case is a man in his twenties who is a close contact of the man at the centre of the cluster announced on the weekend, said Dr. Heather Morrison.
Because he was a close contact, the latest patient was tested and has been in self isolation since the weekend. His first test came back negative, but he began to experience symptoms on July 8. A second test yesterday confirmed COVID-19.
“As a close contact, this is not community spread,” said Morrison, adding this case is not linked to seasonal visitors or the Atlantic bubble.
Because all five cases in the cluster are linked and public health officials were able to identify the probable source of infection, the risk of COVID-19 in the province remains low, said Morrison.
“It’s important that we comply with the public health measures regardless of our age. We know that COVID-19 has not gone away and will be with us for a considerable period of time. We should not let our guard down and we should remain vigilant,” said Morrison.
This latest case brings the total active cases on P.E.I. to six for a total of 33 coronavirus patients since the beginning of the pandemic.
Re-testing staff at Whisperwood Villa staff has begun after potential exposure to the virus on June 30.
All staff and residents will be re-tested by Friday, July 10, said Morrison.
All visitors who stopped into the home on June 30 have been tested and will all be re-tested in due time, said Morrison.
“I know we will all rest easier and feel better when we get the results of the second round of testing related to Wisperwood Villa.,” said Morrison.
Also at the briefing, Morrison announced a testing clinic will return to the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton for essential workers on Monday. The testing site will be open to truckers and other essential workers and no appointments are required.
The appointment schedules will also be improved at the two drive-in clinics in Summerside and Charlottetown on Monday, said Morrison.
The chief public health officer reminded Islanders that the ideal conditions for COVID-19 spread are the three Cs.
“Close contact for a continuous period - usually at least 15 minutes - in a closed environment,” said Morrison.
Close contacts are usually partners, roommates and close friends.
“I ask Islanders and visitors to keep the three Cs in mind and keep their circle of contacts small,” said Morrison.
Seniors have been seen as most vulnerable to this disease, but there has been an increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in the 20-39 age group, said Morrison.
“We are learning that young people are susceptible to COVID-19 and age does not protect anyone from getting COVID-19.”
Posted by Prince Edward Island Government on Thursday, 9 July 2020
