Prince Edward Island is once again delaying the move to the last stage of its COVID-19 recovery plan based on the epidemiology of the pandemic, Medical Director Dr. Heather Morrison said Tuesday.
Morrison told a briefing that the reasoning is similar to the decision made in early September, when officials announced that the final step of his plan would be delayed from mid-September until at least mid-October.
The latest measures scheduled to fall include border and travel measures, as well as rules on screening, testing and self-isolation, but the province maintains those public health protections without providing a date when they could be lifted.
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“Based on epidemiology in Atlantic Canada and the country, these travel measures and other public health measures, including collection limits and public health guidelines, will remain in effect as additional layers of protection as we continue to navigate the this fourth wave of the global pandemic. ,” she said.
Morrison also announced that pharmacists will now be able to vaccinate eligible islanders 12 and older. Previously, pharmacists could only administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible adult residents.
The province also reports three new cases of COVID-19.
Two of the new cases involve residents in their 50s who have a history of travel outside the province.
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The other case involves a person in his 20s and is currently under investigation.
As of October 16, more than 92 percent of eligible islanders had received at least one dose of a vaccine, while nearly 87 percent were fully vaccinated.
Despite some of the highest vaccination rates in the country, Morrison said he had some concerns about rates in younger age groups, especially among young people ages 20-29, where the complete vaccination rate is 74%. “well below the provincial rate.” average.”
The province now has seven active infections.
This Canadian Press report was first published on October 19, 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
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