P.E.I. reports seven new cases of COVID-19 related to elementary school outbreak Thursday; active cases rise to record 34
Health officials in Prince Edward Island are reporting seven new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday as the active number of cases in the province rises to 34 - the highest number of cases in the province since the pandemic began.
During a live news update on Thursday, P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison confirmed all seven of the new cases involve close contacts of previously reported cases associated with the outbreak at West Royalty Elementary in Charlottetown.
Three of the cases are under the age of 10, and four are between the ages of 10 and 19.
Morrison says the seven cases all previously tested negative, and subsequently tested positive, highlighting the importance of repeated testing of close contacts. They have already been self-isolating, and contact tracing is ongoing.
"I am concerned about this outbreak and the impact on children and families," said Dr. Heather Morrison during Thursday's news update. "It is worrisome that so many of the cases initially tested negative and tested positive on repeat testing, but we know this can happen."
Morrison says in-person learning will resume on Monday for students and staff at West Royalty Elementary who are not in isolation. She added a pop-up rapid testing clinic will also be held for students and unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated staff at the school on Friday.
"We are asking all children from West Royalty Elementary who are not in self-isolation to be tested tomorrow at this pop-up clinic," said Morrison. “Even if you tested negative earlier this week, we want you to be tested tomorrow.”
Children in Grades 4 to 6 should go between 1:30-3:30 p.m, while children Grades K to 3 are asked to go between 3:30-5:30 p.m. If there are multiple children at the same family, they can visit the clinic at the same time.
Since Saturday, P.E.I. has reported 27 cases of COVID-19; 19 associated with the West Royalty Elementary outbreak, two associated with Charlottetown Rural, two associated with Stratford Elementary School, three cases related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and one close contact of a previously announced case.
Prince Edward Island currently has 34 active cases of COVID-19 and has had 267 positive cases since the pandemic began.
As of Saturday, Sept. 11, a total of 247,385 doses of vaccine have been administered. So far, 92.2 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose and 83.7 per cent have received two doses.
The province says approximately 42,000 people in P.E.I. are not fully vaccinated, including 30,000 who haven’t received one dose of the vaccine.
MANDATORY MASKS, GATHERING LIMITS TO BE REINSTATED FRIDAY
On Wednesday, Morrison announced that P.E.I. will be reinstating several COVID-19 restrictions as of Friday morning.
“In order to further protect Islanders by limited importation and transmission of COVID-19, and also provide additional support for our children to remain in school, we will take the additional following steps,” said Morrison on Wednesday.
As of 8 a.m. on Sept. 17, wearing a mask will be mandatory in public places.
Personal gathering limits will also be limited to 20 people, a decrease from 50.
- Masks will be mandatory in locations including but not limited to:
- Stores and retail businesses
- Personal services and salons
- Restaurants, except for while eating and drinking
- Arts, sports and recreation facilities, except during exercise
- Places of worship
- Government buildings
- Taxis and public transit
- Workplaces that are open to the public
Children under the age of two are exempted, as are people who have valid medical reasons such as active breathing problems, or cannot remove a mask without assistance.
P.E.I. previously lifted their mandatory mask restriction on July 9.
“We still remain in a very fortunate position here in Prince Edward Island. The steps we’ve taken will allow P.E.I. to stay open, to have our kids in school, our health services interrupted, to have family visiting loved ones in long-term care centres, and our ultimate goal is to stay open while keeping Islanders safe, and have as normal a life as we can have during this fourth wave of COVID-19 in our country,” said P.E.I. Premier Dennis King during Wednesday’s news update.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.