COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening the week of May 8

Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Unit 2 is closed to most new admissions following a COVID-19 outbreak there.

Some Islanders have been surprised by a demand for the repayment of CERB, and are uncertain how they will manage it.

Health P.E.I. has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on the Western Hospital inpatient unit in Alberton.

Six more people with COVID-19 have died on P.E.I.Last week was the deadliest of the pandemic in the province. The previous weekly high was two.

Young people on P.E.I. were so severely impacted by the social circumstances and policy regulations around managing the COVID-19 pandemic that they behaved as if they were ill even if they weren't, according to new research.

The Department of Transportation is looking for new uses for the buildings from its now-closed border checkpoints, and is thinking about affordable housing.

The province dropped mandatory masking rules for most spaces Friday morning.

Businesses may still make their own choices regarding mask policies, and different places are going with different options.

The antibody therapy Evusheld, which could prevent people with weakenedimmune systemsfrom getting COVID-19,will soon be available in P.E.I.

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada

On Thursday Nova Scotia reported 18 new deaths over the previous week. It was the third highest number of weekly deaths of COVID-19.

In New Brunswick seven people died over the previous week, raising the total COVID-19 death toll over 400.

Newfoundland and Labradoralso counted seven dead over the previous week, but noted hospitalizations were at their lowest since mid-January.

Top news from last week

• Sewage facilities in Charlottetown and Summerside took the first samples of P.E.I. wastewater on Thursdayas part of a new provincial strategy for monitoring COVID-19.
• The owner of a grocery store and gas station in Borden-Carleton has pleaded guilty to violating P.E.I.'s Public Health Act with regard to COVID-19 rules.
• Julia Ramsay of the Canadian Mental Health Association's P.E.I. Division speaks with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about the decline in empathy during the pandemic.
• This wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is about a shortage of health-care workers, says an infection control physician.
• Charlottetown Airport's CEO believes the airport could reach pre-pandemic levels of traffic this summer, but it could also mean longer lineups.
• A man who was hospitalized for COVID-19 is suing Health P.E.I. for breach of privacy after information about his medical condition wasleaked by a hospital employee and published by an Island blogger.

Other helpful stories

• A timeline of pandemic events on P.E.I.
• 25 events shaping the first 2 years of the pandemic on P.E.I.
• How to treat yourself at home if you get COVID-19
• Here is the latest pandemic mask advice.
• Your COVID-19 rapid test is positive. Now what?
• P.E.I. government bringing back pandemic supports for workers.
• My family caught COVID-19. Here's what I wish I'd known.
• Why COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are rare on P.E.I.

When and where to seek care if you have COVID

P.E.I. closedits specialized cough and fever clinics for COVID-19 at the end of March. Primary care will pass to your doctor, nurse practitioneror a walk-in clinic.

Mild cases can be treated at home with rest.

If you are immunosuppressed or over the age of 50, you can call your primary care provider or 811 within the first five days of your COVID-19 symptoms to see if you may benefit from an antiviral medicine.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, you may also arrange an appointment with your doctor, nurse practitioneror awalk-in clinic. You may also call 811 to consult about your symptoms.

If your symptoms are so severe you don't believe you can wait for an appointment, then go to the emergency at your local hospital. If you do not feel you can travel to the hospital safely on your own, call 911.

TheseIslanders are currently eligible for a vaccine

• Anyone aged five and up.
• Third shots are available for Islanders 12 and older, six months following their second shot.
• Islanders can book an appointment to receive thevaccine at a pharmacy or a public health clinic.
• You can find more information about how to get a vaccinehere.

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• New or worsening cough.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose, sneezing or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle, joint or body aches.
• Feeling unwell or unusually tired.
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.