Masking in high-risk settings, COVID-19 isolation requirements to remain in place on P.E.I.
Health officials on Prince Edward Island say the requirement to isolate after a positive COVID-19 test, as well as masking in high-risk areas, will remain in place to help reduce the spread of the virus throughout the province.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are legally required to isolate for seven days – after onset of symptoms or a positive test – regardless of vaccination status.
The province says those who are immunocompromised are required to isolate for 10 days.
The requirement for masking will also remain in place for high-risk settings, including hospitals and long-term care and community care homes. The province also strongly recommends Islanders continue wearing masks in most indoor public settings.
“Keeping the legal order for isolation and masks in high-risk settings will help to curb the transmission of COVID-19 while we are seeing a surge in cases on Prince Edward Island,” said Dr. Eilish Cleary, P.E.I.'s acting chief public health officer, in a news release.
“It is important to be cautious over the summer months as COVID-19 is circulating in communities across the Island. Getting up to date on vaccinations as soon as possible, wearing a well-fitted mask when in crowded or indoor public places, improving indoor ventilation, and getting tested if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are important preventative measures.”
Clinic testing continues to be accessible throughout P.E.I. The province says it's important individuals who are at risk of severe outcomes and are symptomatic be tested at a Health PEI testing clinic to ensure they can access antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
According to the province’s news release, recent results from genetic sequencing were all identified as BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. Health officials say this could result in individuals who have previously tested positive with other subvariants of Omicron being at greater risk of becoming re-infected.
"These variants are more transmissible and can escape the immune system, meaning that prior vaccination and/or infection are not as protective against becoming infected with BA.4 or BA.5, compared to earlier variants," reads a news release from the province Thursday.
"Individuals who previously tested positive and have symptoms of COVID-19 will be considered as re-infected if they have a positive test result as early as 60 days after their previous positive test (this has been reduced from 90 days)."
The province also recommends parents of children aged five to 11 book an appointment for their child's first vaccine dose.
"In addition to any immediate illness, children are vulnerable to developing long COVID-19 and the long-term health impacts of post-viral illnesses are not yet known," said the province.
Children aged five to 11 can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Health PEI vaccination clinic.
Anyone 12 years of age and older can get vaccinated at a Health PEI vaccination clinic or at one of the many partner pharmacies across the province.
Booster doses are being offered at clinics and partner pharmacies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.