Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ March 3, 2022
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health (BOH) met yesterday. The meeting was conducted by teleconference as part of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) COVID-19 safety measures.
MOH provides guidance on staying COVID-safe during provincial reopening
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, HPEPH Medical Officer of Health and CEO, thanked the community for their ongoing diligence and for continuing to follow public health measures. He emphasized that as the province gradually reopens, COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community. Public health precautions and vaccines have helped to limit the impact of the virus in our region and as precautions are gradually lifted, COVID-19 vaccines and maintaining the remaining public health measures, such as masks in public places, will help keep us safe.
While everyone is looking forward to a gradual return to normal, Dr. Toumishey urged the community to remember that there continue to be risks related to infection with COVID-19 and the virus is still leading to significant illness, hospitalization, and death. To keep yourself and others safe, stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Isolation is still required for individuals who do not pass COVID-19 screening. If you have symptoms of the virus, or think you have been exposed to someone who is sick with COVID-19, follow instructions available at Ontario.ca/exposed. Although proof of vaccination is no longer required by the province, businesses, organizations, and employers may choose to retain this requirement if they wish.
To get the best possible protection against the virus, be sure you, and your family members, have received vaccines for which you are eligible (primary series and/or booster). If you haven’t received your booster, please do so as soon as possible. Community clinics continue to accept walk-in appointments, and many pharmacies offer the vaccine as well. Visit hpePublicHealth.ca for information on vaccination eligibility, and clinic schedules.
HPEPH responded to 2,049 COVID-19 related complaints in 2021
HPEPH’s yearly report summarizing inspections and enforcement activity between January 1 and December 31 was presented. HPEPH Inspectors and Tobacco Enforcement Officers followed up on 2,049 COVID-19 related complaints in 2021 and carried out inspections, resulting in 58 charges during this period, including charges related to:
- Opening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act (49)
- Health Protection and Promotion Act (8)
- Emergency Measures Civil Protection Act (1)
While HPEPH typically reports inspections and enforcement activity annually, charges and convictions for COVID-19 related offences are published monthly on the HPEPH website.
Report highlights risk of radon
Andrew Landy, Manager of Healthy Environments provided a report summarizing the findings from a study conducted by HPEPH in 2019, regarding the radon levels in local homes in late 2019 and early 2020. In the study, a total of 519 homes completed radon testing in the region and among those homes, 78 (15.1%) had radon levels at or above Health Canada’s threshold of 200 Bq/m3 while 4 (0.8%) had radon levels of 600 Bq/m3 or more.
As data was gathered through a convenience sample, the study results cannot accurately portray the prevalence of radon in all households within the HPEPH area, however it does highlight that high levels of radon exist in homes in the region.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can enter your home through cracks in the basement, sump pumps, floor drains, or any other opening where the house contacts the soil. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. Testing your home for radon is easy, and one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. It is estimated that 91 deaths could be prevented in Ontario each year if remediation was performed in all homes that were above 200 Bq/m³
For more information about radon, and possible mitigation strategies, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/radon.
Prioritization exercise results will inform HPEPH pandemic recovery
Veronica Montgomery, Manager of Foundational Standards and Communications updated the Board on the prioritization exercise that was completed in 2020. Using existing indicators to assess local needs, the results of the priority setting exercise are important as HPEPH begins pandemic recovery, as well as in adhering to the Ontario Public Health Standards. Resulting recommendations include:
- Focussing on interventions and target populations that will result in the greatest impact on population health over time;
- Identifying priority populations for alcohol, cannabis, opioids, tobacco, road safety, falls, and mental health initiatives;
- Being involved in current and potential community initiatives such as the Community Safety and Well-Being Plans and Ontario Health Teams;
- Developing key messages for healthy eating and physical activity as they pertain to mental health;
- Completing prioritization for other standards with health promotion requirements (Food Safety, Environmental Health, Immunization, Infectious and Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, Safe Water);
- Implementing systems level decision-making across the organization.
Board approves Annual Service Plan budget
The Board approved the Annual Service Plan (ASP) Budget which is now with the Ministry of Health for funding approval.
Under the terms of the ASP, HPEPH is applying for funding for one-time extraordinary costs of $1,820,000. One-time funding costs include extraordinary COVID-19 costs, pandemic recovery costs, vaccine refrigeration and a public health inspection practicum program. These one-time cost requests are consistent with the budget that was approved by the Board in December, with the exception of the PHI practicum (cost increase of $26,000) and the fridge replacement which was not included in the original budget.
In response to the Board’s recognition of the significant community need for dental care, a large increase ($248,900) has been requested in the ASP for the dental program. This 27% requested increase will address increased dentist fees; increased provision for specialists, denturists and denture fees; and increased allocation of staff time including a dedicated Oral Health manager. A deficit balance to be considered for funding by the Ministry is reflected in the program.
Provincial appointments to Board of Health
Dr. Craig Ervine and Dr. Jeffrey Allin have been reappointed to the Board by the provincial government for another two-year term.
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Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@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 and Instagram.
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