CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island's chief public health officer reported the province's 11th COVID-19-related death on Tuesday and offered hope that some public health restrictions would ease later this month.
A person over the age of 80 was the latest resident of the province to die of the disease, Dr. Heather Morrison told reporters.
She said there were 15 people hospitalized because of COVID-19, including two in intensive care. Another six patients in hospital with COVID-19 were admitted for other reasons, she added.
Morrison reported outbreaks at seven long-term care homes and two community-care facilities. She said there were also 20 early learning or childcare centres with cases or outbreaks.
Meanwhile, she said she expected to have more to say next week about public health restrictions.
"Despite the cases in the last month, hospitalizations, and despite this Omicron wave, I think we have more hope and optimism now than even compared to a month ago as we continue to manage our way through this wave of the pandemic," she said. "I believe we will be in a very different place in a few weeks."
Morrison said one of the restrictions that could be eased is the current requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to isolate for four days upon arrival in P.E.I. The government, she added, may also permit larger numbers for organized gatherings, allow sports teams to play games, and permit individuals to participate in more recreational and cultural activities.
"While we are not in a position to further ease measures today, next week we will be sharing details about how we plan to walk out of this wave and gradually resume living life more normally," Morrison said.
Premier Dennis King said the number of cases and hospitalizations seem to be moving in the right direction, adding that it's important to show the public that government is looking to ease restrictions.
"Islanders need to see that road map and it needs to be an achievable plan for us," King said Tuesday. "It's probably more important now than it has ever been."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2022.
— By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton.
The Canadian Press
