Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/March 2, 2020 – As cases of COVID-19 have now been detected in a number of countries around the world, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is preparing for the possibility that the virus could spread further.
Measures put in place to date have been effective in containing the spread in Canada, and while the current risk to Canadians remains low, this could change very rapidly. HPEPH is working with national, provincial, and local health care partners to contain COVID-19. However, as more cases emerge across the province, there is a strong possibility that this virus could emerge locally.
“HPEPH is encouraging local residents to ensure they are prepared to self-isolate for two weeks in the event that they, or someone in their home, become ill with COVID-19”, says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “If an individual is asked to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they will be asked to stay in their home and limit contact with others.”
HPEPH recommends that residents take four basic steps to ensure they are prepared for a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the community:
Ensure you are prepared
- Ensure you have enough supplies and essentials to stay in your home for up to 2 weeks
Make a contingency plan
- Make plans to ensure care for your dependants in the event you become ill or are asked to self-isolate
Know the risks
- Get up to date information from reliable health resources, and stay up to date on health travel notices from the Government of Canada
Practice good infection control procedures
- Follow basic infection control procedures to protect yourself and those around you
For more information and detailed recommendations, please visit HPEPH’s Outbreak Preparedness web page.
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Media Contact:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
613-966-5500 x 464 or 613-848-2398
etubbs@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
