31 new cases of COVID-19 announced on P.E.I. Friday

Prince Edward Island's Chief Public Health Office announced 31 new cases of COVID-19 on P.E.I. Friday afternoon during a briefing, what she called a "record high."

This brings the province's total number of cases to 75 and 475 since the pandemic began.

Dr. Heather Morrison said there has been a second case of the Omicron variant identified in the province, linked to a case related to the outbreak at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. 

Most of the new cases are linked to travel, she said. 

Morrison also announced new restrictions to control what she called the "exponential spread" of COVID-19, saying the new cases are coming in almost faster than public health officials can notify them.

"Every day matters," she said. 

"These are big changes for all of us," Morrison said, noting the speed of the spread of COVID-19 is now "unparalleled and unprecedented."

Morrison announced further public restrictions starting at 8 a.m. Saturday morning and continuing until at least Jan. 8.

These include a reduction in personal gatherings to 10 people plus household members. Those 10 people should be a "steady 10" not different people, she said. 

Visitation for long-term case homes on P.E.I. has been adjusted and will be limited to three Partners in Care and three designated visitors who will be continue to be screened.

Physical distancing in public spaces will be a legal requirement rather than a suggestion, Morrison said, and signage should be posted. Capacity in public spaces such as retailers will be reduced to 50 per cent. 

Morrison asked employers to help staff work from home wherever possible.

She asked all Islanders to reduce their  personal contacts by 50 per cent. 

Faith gatherings can continue as long as physical distancing, masking and cohorting are maintained, Morrison said.