COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Monday, March 1

Islanders who have lost their incomesor had their hours reduced by12 hours a week between Feb. 28 and March 14 because of new COVID-19 restrictions are eligible for $500 in help from the provincial government, a P.E.I. cabinet minister said Monday.

A 22-year-old P.E.I. woman has gone public with her COVID-19 diagnosis to warn others that even if you follow all the rules, you can still catch the virus.

Marion Dowling, P.E.I.'s chief nurse, says staff stepped up in a big way in response to the surge in cases. Over 6,630 COVID-19 tests were completed on Saturday and Sunday and more than 3,000 on Monday.

Officials at both the English and French school boards on P.E.I. say they are prepared to move to online learning if needed but are hopeful students can return to the classroom after the three-day shutdown.

Here is a list of sites of potential exposure to COVID-19. The Chief Public Health Office is asking people who have been in these places at these times to self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.

Island restaurants and retailowners are willing to tough it out once againas the province enters another shutdown,but warning signs are beginning to appear thatsome Island companies may not survive.

A Charlottetown restaurateur, shut down again, is calling for harsher penalties for people who break self-isolation guidelines.

Prince Edward Island now has 18 active cases of COVID-19, and has diagnoseda total of 132casessince thepandemic hit P.E.I. almost a year ago.There have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

Also in the news

• If you are feeling the stress of the pandemic is getting out of control, here is where to find some help.
• A vaccination program for Indigenous adults on P.E.I. began Friday.
• Premier Dennis King promised theprovince will support businesses through economicchanges brought about by the pandemic.

Further resources

• Here is a chart of COVID-19 cases on P.E.I. since March, and a timeline of pandemic events.
• Here is a look at how coronavirus isspreading across Canada.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever.
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
• Possible loss of taste and/or smell.
• Sore throat.
• New or worsening fatigue.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.

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