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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.