P.E.I. enforcing new precautionary, temporary measures in response to COVID-19 Omicron variant
Prince Edward Island's top doctor is enforcing new precautionary and temporary measures in response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, says the situation with Omicron is evolving and she hopes to know more about how transmissible it is in the coming weeks.
"I am concerned about the potential impact of the new variant on long-term care and community care residents who are at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19," said Morrison. "Nationally, case rates among children age five to 11 years are the highest of any age group. The addition of these new measures is out of an abundance of caution as we continue to do what is necessary to protect the health of Islanders.”
Effective Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 a.m. until early January, the following measures will be in place:
- Anyone arriving in P.E.I. from an international destination (including the United States) must be tested at the point of entry on arrival and again on day 4. The testing on day 4 is no longer recommended, it is required. Individuals who travelled internationally who do not get a day 4 test will be subject to enforcement measures, including fines.
- Any individuals who return from international travel will be unable to enter a long-term care or community care facility in P.E.I. until they have had three negative COVID-19 tests on days zero, four and eight. This applies to all staff, volunteers and visitors.
- Similar to Nova Scotia, children under the age of 12 years will be unable to travel inter-provincially for the purpose of participating in sports tournaments or arts and culture events. P.E.I. cannot host interprovincial tournaments and arts and culture events for children under 12 years of age. Provincial tournaments (within P.E.I.) and arts and culture activities are permitted, as are provincial and interprovincial sports tournaments for those 12 years of age and older. P.E.I. children under the age of 12 years can attend out-of-province tournaments and arts and culture events as spectators but they may not participate in those events.
Morrison says the new measures will be reevaluated in the new year.
ONE NEW CASE
Prince Edward Island also reported one new infection of COVID-19 on Thursday.
Morrison says the new case involves an individual in their 70s who recently travelled outside of P.E.I.
Contact tracing is now complete, and the individual is self-isolating.
There are currently 25 active cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I.
To date, the province has had 381 positive infections.
POSSIBLE COVID-19 FLIGHT EXPOSURE
Island officials also announced a potential flight exposure on Thursday.
Anyone who travelled on the following flight should monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 and if any symptoms develop, visit a drop-in testing site.
- Air Canada flight 8332 which departed Toronto on Tuesday, Nov. 30 and arrived in Charlottetown on Wednesday, Dec. 1
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.