CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — All library programs have been cancelled Island-wide and all libraries will be closed until further notice said chief public health officer for P.E.I. Dr. Heather Morrison.
Morrison provided the update Monday afternoon during her daily media briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19 strain), where she said there is still only one confirmed case on the Island.
Web services are also incoming to help parents talk to their children and to detail what resources are available, said Morrison.
“I recognize that this is a very stressful time for everyone and people are worried and I understand that. And as we are asking more and more people to self isolate, we recognize that can be really challenging for some.”
These cancellations come after Sunday evening’s announcement that schools would be closing for an additional two weeks after March break and other childcare centres would be closed as of March 17.
Contact will also be made later today with funeral homes, said Morrison on Monday.
“We’re hoping to give some guidance and discussion with them about how to manage wakes and funerals because I think it’s important people have an opportunity to grieve.”
As for more details around the confirmed case and general testing, Morrison released the name of the cruise line—Celebrity Summit Cruise from Feb. 29-March 7—and said over 120 tests have been completed so far.
There were three other Islanders on the cruise who were contacted and were directed to self-isolate.
Beyond these updates, Morrison stressed the importance of re-evaluating what is essential to limit people’s interactions in the community and reduce the spread of the virus.
“Today, I’m asking individuals, families, businesses and government to really start thinking about what is essential and what is not essential for you to be doing and start planning. Ask why are you going somewhere? Do you have to go?”
When asked if she thought Islanders were taking the situation seriously enough, Morrison reiterated importance of education.
“I actually really feel that Islanders do not want to get their families sick or their communities sick…I think that there may be some who don’t understand yet…what self-isolation means and that we continue to talk about what social distancing means.”
To that end, there are resources on the provincial government’s website around those topics. In brief, social distancing means keeping at least a two-metre distance from others, while self-isolation means remaining in your home unless absolutely necessary—like to seek medical care—and to stay in a separate room from others in your home if possible.
At least one daily update will take place for the foreseeable future, but they may also be made as decisions happen.
Below is her briefing for Monday, March 16:
Posted by Prince Edward Island Government on Monday, 16 March 2020
For P.E.I. coronavirus information:
Islanders with questions are directed to call the toll-free information line, 1-800-958-6400. The line is taking messages 24-hours a day, seven days a week and Islanders who leave a message will receive a call back within 24 hours.
If experiencing symptoms (cough, fever, or shortness of breath) within 14 days after international travel, they should call 811 for screening and, if necessary, directed for testing.
Those requiring immediate medical attention should call 911.
For general questions about the virus, visit princeedwardisland.ca/covid19
On Saturday, Morrison said P.E.I. had its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
The confirmed case is a woman in her 50s from Queen’s County who returned from a cruise on March 7, experienced symptoms on March 10 and self-isolated.
On March 11, she was tested and a positive result was returned Saturday afternoon from testing at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, Man., said Morrison.
“The woman is at home with mild illness. She is well and her family is well.”
Anyone she may have come in contact with was contacted by Sunday, said Morrison.
