PEI’s Chief Public Health Officer wishes all athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers well as the Canada Games begins.
But dr Heather Morrison also reminds people that as COVID-19 and other viruses circulate on PEI, it is an important time to consider the risks
She said people should stay at home – or wherever they are – if they are unwell. And they should remember to wash their hands and consider wearing a mask indoors based on their own risk assessment.
“There will be a large number of people here and we want everyone to have safe and healthy games. I wish everyone the best of luck, but remember respiratory viruses are circulating,” she said.
Morrison said her office has been working with the Canada Games host corporation and medical team on infection prevention and control guidelines for the Games.
The CPHO will continue to monitor and monitor reportable communicable diseases and outbreaks, including weekly coverage of COVID-19 and influenza, she said.
Morrison is urging islanders to stay up to date with their vaccines too.
“Hopefully people are vaccinated and have their boosters and are making some good choices to protect not only themselves but others as well,” she said.
Rapid antigen tests are available at Access PEI locations, schools, libraries, hockey rinks, as well as island pharmacies — good news, Morrison said, for visitors to the PEI who may not know where to get a COVID-19 test.
“They might not know where the Access PEI sites are located, and they wouldn’t necessarily have a connection to the schools, libraries or hockey rinks,” she said.
Keep vaccinations up to date
Morrison said since early 2023, the median age of positive COVID-19 cases has been 58 to 60 years.
The median age of COVID-19-related deaths in 2023 is 85 years.
When it comes to all deaths, including 2022, the median age is 82.5 years – similar to the national trend.
Morrison said it’s important for seniors and people at risk of serious illness to stay current with vaccines and booster shots.
She said the CPHO is spreading the message about vaccines through interviews, its website, social media, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.
“We’re not seeing the big waves of cases that we may have seen in the past, but it’s definitely still circulating in our community.”
She said “hybrid immunity” – involving immunization and prior infection – is very protective against severe outcomes, but being in a “stable” state is still a challenge for the province.
“Our rates of hospitalizations, cases and outbreaks are much more stable but lower than before. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t still capable of catching and developing COVID.”
