More recoveries than new COVID-19 cases in Hastings Prince Edward

We’re in a better spot than what we were last week, but certainly not out of the woods yet!

Hastings Prince Edward Public health reporting five new COVID-19 cases today and 15 recoveries.

Two the new cases are close contacts, two are travel related, and the cause of the last one is still listed as pending.

Hospital staff continue to treat 17 people, with seven in ICU and five on ventilators.

There are now a total of 68 active COVID-19 cases.

A total of 71,680 vaccine doses have been administered in the local region to date.

As the province remains under the provincial Stay-at-Home Order, this is not the time to plan a weekend getaway or visit to your cottage. The province is just starting to see the number of new cases trending downwards and we all need to work together in order to end the pandemic as quickly as possible. Due to delays in vaccine rollout, our region has significantly lower immunity than most hot spots. Please help protect our community and do not travel to our region unless it is absolutely essential to do so,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH.

He continues to urge all residents to only travel for essential purposes outlined in the order.

Here’s some more messages from public health today:

HPEPH recommends that individuals avoid any travel outside of their home region, and only travel to seasonal/secondary residences for the purpose of performing emergency services/repairs. These emergency visits should be less than 24 hours in duration. 

While HPEPH strongly discourages relocation to seasonal residences at this time, if individuals choose to relocate to their seasonal residence for the entire summer season, they must plan to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. To plan to self-isolate appropriately, you will need to:

• Purchase all supplies and groceries ahead of time and plan to be self-sufficient for the duration of your self-isolation period.
• Avoid stops on the way and go directly to the secondary residence. Fuel up and bring snacks so that you can make your trip without any stops. Make sure to have hand sanitizer and face coverings with you in the event of an unplanned stop.
• Plan to isolate immediately on arrival – this means no visits or trips into town.
• Follow all current protocols, which include staying only with your immediate household members. Do not invite guests to your seasonal residence. This is not the time to host a family gathering or getaway.
• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 daily and if required, only leave isolation to seek testing. If you learn that you are a high risk contact of someone who has COVID-19, you will need to be tested immediately.
• Once your 14 days of isolation are over, use curbside pickup to get supplies whenever possible and practice all other public health measures including physical distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands and staying home if you are ill.

Outside of our reason, the messaging remains the same as cases continue to be reported.

Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health is reporting nine new cases today, for a total of 99 active COVID-19 cases.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health unit announced three new cases of the virus in Northumberland County, for a total of 32 active cases.