Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/April 23, 2020 – 11:20 am
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has launched a new online reporting system to provide the public with more information about COVID-19 cases and testing in the region. The online dashboard will be updated daily with the number of local lab-confirmed cases, probable cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to the virus. In addition, the dashboard provides general information about the number of cases identified across the region and cases associated with special groups such as long-term care home residents and health care workers. Information about the number of tests being administered locally, and associated results, is also included.
The online dashboard has been built to provide up-to-date information for public reporting purposes. However, it is important to note that certain data must be interpreted carefully. As the number of tests administered for COVID-19 is constantly changing, and it can take several days for test results to be processed, it is difficult for HPEPH to provide a snapshot of tests administered that aligns precisely with actual test results at any given time.
The number of tests listed on the dashboard represents only those test results that have been received by public health to date. Further, the number of probable cases listed on the dashboard is cumulative, meaning that cases are not removed from the list unless they are tested, after which they are re-categorized as either positive or negative. In order to help provide a better picture of the number of active probable cases in the community at any given time, HPEPH is listing the number of probable cases that have ‘recovered’, along with the total cumulative number of probable cases that have occurred to date. It is important to remember that since recovered probable cases were not lab-confirmed, it is unlikely that all illness was COVID-19, and this number must be interpreted with caution.
“We are pleased to have developed an online reporting tool that allows us to provide a comprehensive picture of COVID-19 in our region, while upholding our commitment to individual privacy and confidentiality,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH.
The dashboard, along with other information about COVID-19, is available at hpePublicHealth.ca. Any residents who still have questions or concerns after reviewing the website are invited to contact the HPEPH COVID-19 information line at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803. The information line is open weekdays 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, and weekends 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
-30-
Audio file for media rebroadcast: Dr. Oglaza’s new reporting dashboard statement
Media Contacts:
Veronica Montgomery, Foundational Standards Manager
vmontgomery@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
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.
