COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of Dec. 5

P.E.I.Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrisonannounced seven new COVID-19 caseson Sunday.

Premier Dennis King condemned the actions of a group of anti-vaxxers who gathered outside Morrison's house on Saturdayto protest the province's vaccination measures.

The provinceannounced seven new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

Morrison did not announcenew limits to indoor or outdoor gatherings, however she is advising Islanders to keep personal gatherings as small as possible, and to know the vaccination status of attendees.

Three COVID-19 cases were announced Thursday. Morrison said the province is not in the situation it wants to be ahead of the holidays amid rising cases.

Thedrop-in testing clinics in Souris and Montague werecancelled Thursday due to a snowstorm. Islanders looking to get tested at other clinics had to wait up to three hours before getting swabbed.

The next clinic in Souris will be Friday form 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The next clinic in Montague will be Monday from9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Four schools in the eastern Kingsregion of P.E.I. remainclosed on Thursday. The schools initially shut their doors on Wednesday to allow for mass COVID-19 testing.

P.E.I. announced six new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and multiplepublic exposure sites. Two of the new cases involve students at Westwood Primary School, which will be closed for therest of the week.

Another exposure site was alsoannounced Thursday:

• Cornwall Hair Shop:
  • Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The decision follows P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office announcement offive new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday.Morrison says sheis concerned about a growing number of cases in the eastern Kings region of P.E.I.

An inquestlooking into the deaths of a nine-year-old found dead with her mother in Charlottetownhas been postponed until 2022, due to COVID-19. This means plans for the father of Olivia Roddtomake a presentation to the inquest's six jurors hasbeen put on pause.

Some in the Island'stravel industry are calling on P.E.I. to follow the lead of a few otherprovinces and stop issuing COVID-19 flight exposure notices.

As the holidays approach,Morrison is advising Islanders against hosting any levees this holiday season.

Both provincial and supreme court operations in Charlottetown wereadjourned Tuesdayfollowing news that a staff membertested positive for COVID-19

P.E.I. announced three new cases on Monday, including one involving a student at Eastern Kings Early Learning Academy in Souris. The daycare will be closed on Tuesday as a result.

On Sunday, Chief Public Health Office announcedtwonew cases of COVID-19linked to a school in Rollo Bay.coleLa-Belle-Cloche will be closed from Monday,Dec. 6 to Friday, Dec.10.

A testing clinic was set up at the school, andclasses were to resume onlineWednesday.

Dr. Heather Morrisonannounced fivenew COVID-19 cases on Saturday.One of the cases isa student at cole La-Belle-Cloche.

Current cases

P.E.I.has 37active COVID-19 cases, bringing the total for the pandemic to420. There have been two hospitalizations and no deaths.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswickreported 112 new cases and 1,019 active cases on Sunday. On Saturday, the province had reported two COVID-related deaths and 126 new cases.
• Nova Scotiaannounced 111 new cases on Sunday, marking the third straight day the province has seen over 100 cases. Nova Scotia reported 129 new cases on Saturday.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported two COVID-19 cases and 13 active cases on Friday.

Top news from last week

• Morrisonsaid Friday that the provincewill soon make theCOVID-19 booster shot availablefor Islanders who are 18 and up, following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
• P.E.I.announced new travel-related measuresin response to concerns about the new omicron variant. The measures include more test requirements for international travellers, and a ban on children under 12 travelling to participate ininterprovincialsport tournaments or cultural events.
• More than 100 children aged five to 11 got vaccinated inP.E.I.'s first pediatric vaccine clinic.

The P.E.I. Vax Pass

The P.E.I. Vax Pass is now required at a number of businesses and events. Here's a look athow to get the pass, and how it works.

Here's alistof where you need to show proof of vaccination on P.E.I.

And, here's a look at how thevax pass can protect you.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Islanders can book an appointment to receive thevaccine at a pharmacy or a public health clinic.
• 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.