COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, Feb. 13

P.E.I. has confirmed its first case of the B117 coronavirus variant that was first detected in the U.K.

Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison made the announcement in an unscheduled briefing on Saturday afternoon.

Morrison said there is currently no reason to believe thevariant strain, which is much more contagious than the original dominant strain of the virus, is circulating in the province.

Public health restrictions in the pandemic cancelled the Jack Frost Festival, but Charlottetown has responded with the Ice City Festival, kicking off this weekend.

Students will still have to wear masks while in Prince Edward Island schools "for the foreseeable future," says the head of the Public Schools Branch.

Dating is very different from what it was a year ago due to the pandemic, and apsychology professor atSaint Mary's University in Halifax saysthe biggest change she has seen is far fewer casual interactions.

Islanders willbe able to book their COVID-19 vaccinations online as early as next week, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said in an interview with CBC News: Compass Thursday.

The Native Councilof P.E.I. is working with the province to soon offer a vaccination clinic for Indigenous Islanders living off reserve.

P.E.I. has had 114confirmed cases of COVID-19. Two remain active.There have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

Newfoundland and Labradorhas gone into lockdowndue to anoutbreak of the B117 variant.The province reported 26 cases Saturday.

New Brunswick reported 16 new cases Saturdayand has 160 active cases, whileNova Scotia reported two new cases Saturdayand has 10active cases.

Also in the news

• Two P.E.I. women's organizations are receiving almost $1 million from the federal government to continue working to advance gender equality on the Island, which comes as the pandemic shows some of the systemic barriers women face in the economy.
• Charlottetown Airport received good news Wednesday:Flair Airlines willbegin service to Toronto starting in June.
• An engineering firm in eastern P.E.I. says it has landed a contract with the Canadian Coast Guard that will help keep workers employed during a downturn in business due to COVID-19.

Further resources

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