COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Tuesday, Aug. 18

In her weekly briefing, Dr. Heather Morrison announced three new cases of COVID-19 in the province.

The new cluster of cases involves three males, two in their30s and one in his40s. Morrison said the risk of transmission to Islanders remains low.

In the same briefing,Morrisonannounced thatit's now possible for threecohorts of 50 peopleto gather for an event at the same place on P.E.I. She also said she does not see P.E.I. forming a bubble with the rest of Canada in the coming weeks.

Sport P.E.I. will be meeting with the Chief Public Health Office next week to discuss how indoor sports can proceed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facing pandemic restrictions and a tight budget, Camp Gencheffhas found a way to keep its doors open while meeting a need for full-time adult programming.

The CEO ofP.E.I. Seniors Homes says they are looking to hire a variety of positions for the fall ahead of a potential case spike and the return to schools.

After a delay due to COVID-19,the annual battle for the "Island's best burger" title begins soon as Burger Lovegears up to take place at a different time of year.

The P.E.I. government has hired 39 new front-line staff for the upcoming school year and has "conditionally approved" filling about 160 other full-time equivalent positions.

P.E.I. school officials say theyexpect to see a rise in health-related absences when schoolstarts up in September.

P.E.I. has confirmed a total of 44cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with no deaths or hospitalizations.

Also in the news

• Art in the Open is a go for the 10th straight year, but the popular March of the Crows won't be happening due to COVID-19 restrictions that do not permit public processions.
• Holland College launches theireMotorsports Club, the college's first foray into esports.
• Real estate numbers for July are out and they are record breakingacross the country. The Canadian Real Estate Association saysthe new-found importance of home, lack of a daily commute anddesire for more outdoor and personal space is spurring growth thatotherwise would not have happened in a non-COVID-19 world.

Further resources

• Here isinformation for livingwith the COVID-19 pandemic on P.E.I. including information on government relief programs, physical distancing measures, and essential health services.
• Here is achart tracking COVID-19 numbers and a timeline of COVID-19-related events on P.E.I.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.