P.E.I. reports three new COVID-19 cases Tuesday; will introduce vaccine passport on Oct. 5
Prince Edward Island is reporting three new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, as the active number of cases in the province rises to 47.
During Tuesday's news update, Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s Chief Public Health Officer, confirmed that the three new cases all involved close contacts of previously reported cases, with two involving 'household close contacts' related to the outbreak at West Royalty Elementary School.
Two of the new cases involve individuals in their 30s, and one involves a person in their 20s. Contact tracing has been completed and they are self-isolating.
“In the last week, 38 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in P.E.I., our highest weekly count to date, and 2.4 times our previous weekly high of 16 cases," said Morrison during Tuesday’s news update.
Morrison says a total of 29 cases have been linked to the outbreak at West Royalty Elementary School; 24 involving children, and five involving ‘adult, household contacts of the children’.
"The outbreak will be declared over at least 14 days after the last case associated with the outbreak was diagnosed," says Morrison.
Prince Edward Island currently has 47 active cases of COVID-19 and 287 positive cases since the pandemic began.
Morrison says all 54 cases reported in September have been identified as the Delta variant.
As of Sept. 18, a total of 250,223 doses of vaccine have been administered. So far, 92.8 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose and 85.1 per cent have received two doses.
Morrison says there are just under 40,000 P.E.I. residents who are not fully vaccinated, including 19,000 children under the age of 12 who are not eligible.
“We’re in a much better situation today than we were at this time last week,” said P.E.I. Premier Dennis King. “While we have 47 active cases in the province, we’re confident that the West Royalty School outbreak has been contained.”
P.E.I. VAX-PASS TO TAKE EFFECT OCT. 5
During Tuesday’s news update, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King announced P.E.I.’s version of a vaccine passport is expected to go into effect on Oct. 5.
“We have been working with our provincial neighbours in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on a proof of vaccine credential, which we will refer to as a ‘P.E.I. Vax-Pass’,” said King during Tuesday’s news update. “The Vax-Pass program will be time-limited and will lift when the risk of outbreak is reduced.”
King said the Vax-Pass will be required at ‘essentially any place where large gatherings will occur’, including indoor and outdoor gatherings, restaurants, sporting events, concerts, wedding and funeral receptions.
It will not be required at worship or religious ceremonies, wedding and funeral ceremonies, or retail stores, banks or access to healthcare services.
King says the program will initially involve showing a paper proof of vaccination and will progress to a QR code later in October.
Exemptions will be granted to individuals who are not eligible to be vaccinated or have a medical exemption.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.