Eastern P.E.I. schools to remain closed Thursday with COVID-19 tests pending

The Public Schools Branch says the four schools in eastern P.E.I. which were closed Wednesday amid concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the area will remain closed for another day.

Souris Regional, Morell Consolidated, Morell Regional and Mount Stewart Consolidated will not open their doors Thursday. 

The schools were closed to allow for mass testing after the province said it identified some potential risk of COVID-19 spread. 

The PSB said the decision to keep the schools closed was made due to the high volume of tests and results that have not yet come back.

The province said on Tuesday all students in grades K-6 should get tested, as well as grade 7-12 students who participate in group sporting activities.

The students will have to present negative tests before they're allowed back in their schools.

A testing clinic will be available on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Souris Hospital.

Long lines at clinic 

On Wednesday at the Souris Hospital, the lineup of cars looking to get tested wound its way out the back parking lot, down Green Street and MacPhee Avenue all the way to Route 2.

People started lining up an hour or more before the 12 p.m. opening. Sarah Chaisson waited with her mom and three of her children. 

"I gave them a heads up to know what to expect, and that mom would go first and they would follow mom," Chaisson said. 

"I think we're OK with the school being closed. It gives us time to come here and do these tests." 

The Eastern Kings Sportsplex in Souris is one of the recent exposure sites. Its manager, Aaron Bedour, was lined up to get tested.

"We do our best to keep everything clean and sanitary," Bedour said.

"Right now, it's like walking on eggshells to see where the chips lay. But right now, we're doing our best to do our part. We'll see what happens."

Souris Mayor Jo-Anne Dunphy said it's been a difficult time for the community — this outbreak isn't the only challenge people in eastern Kings have faced this fall. 

"Our Island potato farmers are in a devastating situation, which affects a large majority of our area," she said, in an email to CBC.

"And our community is in a serious COVID-19 outbreak. We are strong. We will do what is needed to get through this together." 

High school student Katie Deagle said she hopes a couple of days off doesn't turn into several weeks.

"It kind of sucks 'cause I don't want to learn online so I hope it doesn't last long. And it sucks that it's right before Christmas," Deagle said.

Waiting with her to get tested was her friend, Lydia Campbell. The two are on the same ringette team, they play out of the Eastern Kings Sportsplex.

"It all just happened so fast," Campbell said, "none of us were prepared for it."