COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, July 14

Some P.E.I. COVID-19 testing sites are shutting down as vaccination rates go up.

P.E.I. disposedof more than 3,000 expired doses of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine recently.

P.E.I. daycaressaythey're in need of newer COVID-19 guidelines after the province dropped its mask mandate last week.

The P.E.I. economy did better than the national economy in 2020, according to the P.E.I. Statistical Review for the year, which was released Tuesday.

P.E.I. Finance Minister Darlene Compton is crediting Islanders for supporting local through the pandemic.

Some local businesseson P.E.I. say the province's decision to suddenly drop themask requirements in indoor spaces caught them off guard.

Green Party LeaderPeter Bevan-Baker is disappointed with the province lifting the mask mandate. He said the government should have been more patient.

The NDP of P.E.I. is launching a social media campaign to reinstate the rules mandating masks be worn in indoor public places on P.E.I.

Holland College says masks are no longer required on campus when physical distancing can be maintained. However, the Charlottetown institution said, "we strongly recommend mask use if you are not fully vaccinated."

P.E.I. has no active cases ofCOVID-19 as of Wednesday, and has seen a total of 208.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada:

• Nova Scotia reported no new COVID-19 case on Wednesday, and has 28 active cases.
• New Brunswickreportedno new cases on Wednesday, and has two active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases on Wednesday and has 23 active cases, with 22 from international vessels.

Also in the news

• P.E.I. restaurants are experimenting with how to respond to the dropping of mandatory mask rules.
• Premier Dennis King announced at a briefing Friday the wearing of masks indoors is no longer mandatory, but it is still strongly recommended for those not fully vaccinated. At the same briefing, King said residents of Atlantic Canada with a PEIPass will no longer be tested at the border.
• Islanders reacted with elation and apprehension to the mask announcement.
• How the P.E.I. Public Schools Branch dealt with student stress in the pandemic.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• People over 12.
• Islanders over 18can book an appointment for Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.

You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

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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