COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Wednesday, May 12

Islanders should learn more next week about the province's plans to reopen following the latest public health measures. The premier provided a few hints at what that plan may include during a meeting with business leaders in Charlottetown Wednesday.

The acting CEO of Health PEI says he plans to get to the bottom of why some physicians aren't staying on the Island.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made for a difficult 14 months for travel agents, but two on P.E.I. say they feel the industry is showing signs of life again.

Some women's wellness programs have been closed until further notice, and the Green Party says the pandemic is no excuse for reducing these services.

Dry cleaners on P.E.I. have seen a big drop in business during the pandemic.

Summerside's Kyle Baillie is hoping to get his second crack at playing in the Rugby World Cup, and is facing the challenge of professional league play during the pandemic.

A Stratford resident was fined $1,000 under the Public Health Act on Monday for hosting a gathering that exceeded the allowable limit of the household plus 10 people.

This comes while a Charlottetown man was fined $2,500 in court on Monday for the same reason, with the judge saying his communal living defence was no excuse for breaking public health guidelines.

Charlottetown police also issued $1,000 tickets to seven people in the early hours of Sunday morning, in connection with a gathering they say exceeded COVID-19 pandemic public health guidelines.

P.E.I. has nineactive cases of COVID-19. There have been187positive cases in total over the past 14 months, withtwo hospitalizations and no deaths.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic region:

• Nova Scotia is reporting 149 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and 1,621 active cases. A total of 75 people are in hospital, including 15 in ICU.
• Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 81 active cases.
• New Brunswick has nine new cases, seven inside the province and two outside involving New Brunswickers. There are 123 active cases.

Also in the news

• Here are some of the measures Elections P.E.I. has put in place to ensure people are safe while voting in Cornwall's byelection.
• The president of the Maritime Fun Group says some of his operations in Cavendish, P.E.I., will be open by the end of the month and will be available for end-of -year school bookings.
• Seasonal hotels and resorts are doing their best to prepare for another uncertain tourism season.
• Islanders50 and over could beginbookingappointments Mondayto get the Moderna vaccine at one of 12 pharmacies.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Islanders 16 to 29, with birthdays in the months of January to September.
• People over 30.
• Islanders over50 can book an appointment for a Moderna vaccine at a pharmacy.
• Islanders over55 can book an appointment for an AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy.
• Islanders over 16 with underlying medical conditions, and all eligible members of their household.
• Pregnant Islanders.
• Front-line workers over 16who interact with the public and cannot work virtually.
• People providing health-care services to the public includingoptometrists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and their support staff.
• Health-care workers not on the front line needed to maintain health-care system capacity
• 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.

You can find more information about how to get a vaccine here.

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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