COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Thursday, April 1

Prince Edward Island has now recorded 160 cases of COVID-19 since its first case inMarch 2020. The latest case, announced Thursday, is a person under 19 who was a close contact of a previous case and has been isolating since learning that.

In her weekly check-in with CBC News: Compass, Chief Public Health Officer Heather Morrison said the province has had no confirmationon the delivery of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, expected toarrive in Canada at the end of April. She notedadverse reactions to vaccines are very rare, and still much better than getting COVID-19. She believes things will start to get back to normal on P.E.I. by the fall.

Builders and suppliers in P.E.I.'s construction industry are working with some alternative materials as costs and availability continue to be a concern in the busy sector.

Cornwall passed its operating budget for 2021-22 Wednesday evening, finding the money for a small surplus. Mayor Minerva McCourt said council felt it was particularly important to not have any property taxes or utility rate increases this pandemic year.

The province says testing sites and clinics will be operating on reduced hours over the Easter weekend.

Speaking of Easter, some Island churches tell CBC theyarefine with restrictions on congregation sizesgiventhat last year, church gatherings weren't being allowed at all.

It looks like 2021 will be another difficult year for anyone looking for a new bicycle, as more people spend timeoutside during the pandemic.

P.E.I. drivers heading into New Brunswick when the Atlantic bubble opens won't face a COVID-19 checkpoint screening process on the far side of Confederation Bridge.

The easing of restrictions at long-term carehomes, including the ability of residents to attend church, will begin Thursday.

The Island has had 160diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with no deaths or hospitalizations. There are 13active cases on the Island.

Throughout the Atlantic region:

• Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday for a total of24 active cases in the province.

• New Brunswickreported 10new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 141active cases.

• Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new travel-related case, and now has four active cases.

Also in the news

• Organizers of Rock the Boat Music Festivalare confident they can work withCOVID-19 rules to hold the event this summer.
• With in-person fundraisingmade difficult bypandemic restrictions,fire companies on P.E.I. have moved online.
• Despite restrictions reducing attendance, some P.E.I. churches saydonations are up in the last 12 months.
• In her regular Tuesday briefing, Chief Public Health OfficerDr. Heather Morrison said there are no current plans to let young Islanders apply for other kinds of vaccine appointments now that the province's AstraZeneca vaccine delivery program has been halted overblood clot concerns.
• Morrison is urging Islanders to continue beingeager and enthusiastic about receiving a COVID-19vaccine despite a decision to haltall use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine in the province.
• A U.S. couple who consider P.E.I. home is desperate for guidance on border rules.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 65.
• People60-69 with certain specific serious underlying health conditions, and their primary caregivers.
• Firefighters, police officers, power-line workers.
• Residents and staff of long-term care homes.
• Adults living in Indigenous communities.
• Residents and staff of shared living facilities.
• Truck drivers and other rotational workers.

Further resources

• Here isa chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timelineof pandemic events.
• Here is a look at how coronavirus isspreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever.
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
• Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
• Sore throat.
• New or worsening fatigue.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.

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