Prince Edward Island is reporting three new cases of the novel coronavirus, with one connected to a long-term care home.
During a rare Saturday afternoon news conference, chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said one of the confirmed cases works at Whisperwood Villa in Charlottetown.
All residents and staff at the facility are being tested Saturday afternoon as a precaution, Morrison said.
“This is disappointing news, but we have said consistently that we need to be prepared for more cases,” Morrison said.
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Of the three cases, one is a man in his 50s and two are in their 20s. Morrison said the man in his 50s is an essential worker who recently travelled outside the region.
He has self-isolated since returning to the province and is at home.
Public health believes the other two cases are connected.
Morrison noted that none of the cases are connected to the newly-relaxed travel restrictions between provinces in Atlantic Canada.
She said the female employee at Whisperwood Villa was wearing appropriate personal protective equipment while working at the home and does not provide direct personal care to residents.
“She left work as soon as she was not feeling well,” said Morrison. “We made initial contact with the management at Whisperwood Villa late (Thursday) evening as soon as we became aware of the positive case.”
None of the residents at the home have any new symptoms, according to Morrison. Anyone who visited Whisperwood Villa on Tuesday, June 30 to be tested as a precaution.
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The last time P.E.I. had a confirmed case of COVID-19 was April 28. The island has seen 27 confirmed cases and all have recovered.
“We are still experiencing a global pandemic and we did anticipate new cases of COVID-19,” said Morrison. “We are ready to deal with this to this situation and are confident in our capacity to respond to this outbreak.”
During Saturday’s briefing, Premier Dennis King said there are currently no plans to change P.E.I.’s current level of precautions.
“The three cases outlined are not connected to the Atlantic bubble,” King said. “COVID doesn’t care about your licence plate or your background or your geography.”
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