Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Dec. 21, 2023
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) will continue to provide priority services throughout the holiday period to protect the health of our community. Getting your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines is important to stay #HealthyForTheHolidays. Visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking/ to find vaccine clinic information.
Throughout the holiday period:
- Public Health Nurses are available to answer your questions about infant feeding, parenting, growth and development, and more, when HPEPH offices are open. Call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223. You can also email the CARELine at CARELine@hpeph.ca.
- Individuals reporting non-medical emergencies or outbreaks and health care providers reporting diseases of public health significance can receive after hours assistance by calling 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803 and following the prompts.
- For sexual health and harm reduction needs, call 613-966-5500, ext. 243.
- For alternate locations to access naloxone and/or safer drug use supplies, visit hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use/
- Find answers to common public health questions and concerns are available at hpePublicHealth.ca.
Please note, the HPEPH COVID-19 Dashboard and the Respiratory Infection Dashboard will not be updated the week of December 25 to December 29. Updates will resume on January 2.
HPEPH holiday office closures
Belleville and Picton offices
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec. 22 until 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec. 29 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2
Bancroft office
Closed at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan 2
Trenton office
Closed at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2
#SpreadJoyNotGerms this holiday season:
- Stay up to date with your immunizations: COVID-19, flu, and RSV (if you are eligible).
- Skip the holiday party if you’re not feeling well. It is critical to stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick. Be respectful of others and keep your sniffles at home, and don’t risk spreading infection to the vulnerable.
- Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and when recovering from illness. If you are attending a busy gathering or interacting with others, wearing a mask will reduce your risk of unknowingly spreading an infection to those you love. If you are recovering from illness, it is especially important to wear a mask for 10 days after your symptoms started.
- Wash your hands often, and clean high touch surfaces frequently. This is especially important to prevent the spread of influenza and RSV. If you host or attend a holiday gathering, clean high touch surfaces, and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
- Protect our health care services. Doing what you can to limit the spread of illness will help ensure our health care workers are available for those who need them most.
If you get sick, information about HPE COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics, including booking information, can be found at www.hpeoht.ca/covid-cold-flu-care-clinics/.
Have a healthy and safe holiday season!
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Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@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. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. 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.