There is one new case of COVID-19 in P.E.I. involving a rotational worker who travelled outside the Atlantic bubble, says chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
The latest case brings the total in P.E.I. to 64 since the pandemic began. Three cases are active.
Morrison provided the update during her weekly briefing, during which she said the woman in her 20s travelled for work purposes and is isolating at home with mild symptoms.
The woman had few close contacts and they have all tested negative. They are all in self-isolation and will be tested again before isolation ends.
Anyone who travelled on Oct. 13 on Air Canada flight 162 from Edmonton to Toronto and flight 7460 from Toronto to Charlottetown is advised to monitor for symptoms.
Morrison said the woman’s first test was negative but a second test a few days later was positive.
Morrison said this patient’s tests are a reminder that a negative test reflects a single point in time and testing doesn’t replace self-isolation.
“We are fortunate to have limited COVID-19 transmission in P.E.I., however, the virus is knocking on our door,” said Morrison. “We know it spreads quickly and easily under the right conditions.”
Morrison asked anyone travelling to follow all public health guidelines.
New Brunswick had 104 new cases in the last two weeks and one person has died.
“Our colleagues in New Brunswick are working tirelessly to contain the spread of COVID-19,” said Morrison.
As colder weather shifts activities indoors, Islanders need to be even more vigilant about following public health guidelines, said Morrison.
She reviewed the role of masks in stopping the transmission of COVID-19. They should be used in combination with other public health measures such as physical distancing and limiting close contacts, she said.
“When attending events, please remember that just because you know other guests, (it) does not reduce your risk,” Morrison said.
Also during the briefing, Morrison said misleading and false information about COVID-19 is circulating, including on social media.
“False information may jeopardize measures to control the pandemic,” Morrison said, adding it can be challenging to determine when health information is taken out of context and not accurate.
She suggested Islanders get their information from trusted sources like the province, the World Health Organization or the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Morrison thanked Islanders for working to keep transmission low in the province.
“Our focus will continue to be balancing the need to keep Islanders safe with the need to minimize the societal and economic impacts,” she said. “We want to slow the spread and balance it with keeping as many things open as we possibly can.”
Not the flu
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said there is misinformation circulating that COVID-19 and influenza are the same. They are not.
“While influenza and COVID-19 have some similarities, the risks associated with the new coronavirus are higher than seasonal influenza,” said Morrison.
Though both can result in serious complications, COVID-19 is generally more contagious than influenza, she said.
Additionally, the rates of critical illness and death are both higher with COVID-19 than with the flu, she said.
Morrison also said there are an average of 3,500 deaths associated with the flu in Canada each year but there have been almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 across the country.
“While these two illnesses do share some common characteristics, clearly the risk of developing a serious illness and dying is higher with COVID-19,” said Morrison.
Symptoms of seasonal influenza:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches
- Headache
Symptoms of COVID-19:
All the above and maybe:
- A sudden change in or loss of taste or smell
