P.E.I. reports total of 15 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 2 in ICU Monday

Tam confirms BA.2 cases in Canada Dr. Theresa Tam says more than 100 cases of the new Omicron subvariant BA.2 have been confirmed in Canada.

Prince Edward Island reported Monday that 15 people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, including two in intensive care.

Public health says there are also five other people in hospital who tested positive for COVID-19, but were not admitted due to the virus, and are being treated for illnesses other than the virus.

VACCINE UPDATE

As of Saturday, 96.6 per cent of Island residents over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of vaccine and 93.4 per cent were fully vaccinated.

Health officials say 65.7 per cent of children aged five to 11 have had one dose and 11.2 per cent have received their second dose.

Health PEI says there are appointments available this week at clinics across the province for first, second and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including dedicated appointments for children.

"It is very important for those eligible for their booster, and children between the ages of 5 and 11 to receive their first and second vaccines, when they are able to protect themselves against serious outcomes from COVID-19," says Dr. Heather Morrison, chief public health officer.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics or at one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province. Island children between the ages of five and 11 years can now receive their COVID-19 vaccination at Health PEI clinics.

NEW CASES

P.E.I.’s chief public health officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, announced 234 new COVID-19 cases and 512 recoveries as of 8 a.m. Monday. The new cases are for both Saturday and Sunday and remain under investigation.

P.E.I. has seen an average of 214 new cases per day over the last seven days.

Currently, there are 2,152 active cases of COVID-19 being reported on P.E.I.

To date, the province has announced 7,779 positive cases of the virus.

OUTBREAK UPDATE

Health officials also provided an update on the locations of current outbreaks in high-risk settings:

Long-term care facilities (seven facilities with outbreaks):

Community care facilities (two facility with an outbreak):

Early learning and child care centres:

Hospitals (one facility with an outbreak):

Other congregate settings:

TESTING

COVID-19 testing is currently limited to the following:

Islanders who need to be tested for travel purposes will be provided with at-home rapid antigen tests -- two tests to be taken 48 hours apart.

Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to self-isolate until the results come back.