COVID-19 on P.E.I.: What's happening Saturday, Jan. 23

Larger organized gatherings and later hours for bars and restaurants are now allowed as P.E.I. eased some of its COVID-19 restrictions effective Saturday.

There have been no reported cases of influenza on P.E.I. this season, as well as fewer cases of coughs and colds, which the Chief Public Health Office credits to "unintended impacts" of pandemic restrictions.

With cough and cold season all but non-existent this year because of COVID-19 health measures, Honibe lozenge-maker Island Abbey Foods has laid off 30 staff.

Despite those layoffs, it's been a banner year for P.E.I.'s biosciences sector, with more than 200 new jobs in 2020, and seven Island bioscience companies planning major expansions this year.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases reported on P.E.I. remains 110, with seven still active. There have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

New Brunswick announced 17 new cases on Saturday. There are now 328 active cases in the province. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador had no new cases Saturday..

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Further resources

Reminder about symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• Fever.

• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.

• Possible loss of taste and/or smell.

• Sore throat.

• New or worsening fatigue.

• Headache.

• Shortness of breath.

• Runny nose.

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