COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Friday, March 12

Circuit breaker measures imposed in late February after a worrying spike in COVID-19 cases among young people in Summerside and Charlottetown are coming to an early end. As of 8 a.m. Saturday, Islanders will be able to participate in sports games, stay out at restaurants laterand gather in larger numbers.

P.E.I. Finance Minister Darlene Comptonpresented the provincial operational budget,covering a year that could see a gradual economic recovery as COVID-19 vaccines are administered to Islanders and would-be visitors alike.

Prince Edward Island's full-time employment was down 1,100 jobs compared to January, Statistics Canada reported on Friday. Part-time employment on the Island was up by more than 500 jobs.

Holland College says students will be back on campuses across P.E.I.full time this fall.

Hockey P.E.I. says an early end to the province's circuit-breaker COVID-19 restrictions means provincial championships can go ahead, and also that teams may schedule exhibition games.

Young people working in food service are pleased a stock of vaccines have been set aside for them, saying they will feel safer going to work.

The Easter Beef show is on, after having to be cancelled last year.

Summerside residents will pay more for utilities in the proposed budget, as the city tries to deal with reduced revenues during the pandemic.

P.E.I. has had 143 diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with no deaths or hospitalizations. It has 22active cases.

New Brunswick reported three new cases Friday and one new death, with 33 active cases.

Nova Scotia reportedone new caseand 17 active.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case and 57 active.

Also in the news

• Expect a lot of city-sponsored construction around Charlottetown in the coming year, because on Wednesday council voted 9-1 to approve an extra-large capital budget.
• The P.E.I. Pharmacists Association is ready to help with the rollout of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine for people18-29 who work in the food service industry on the Island.
• It's been one year since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic.Here's a look backat the year on P.E.I.

Further resources

• Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March 2020, and a timeline of 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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