Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/April 3, 2021
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has been informed that an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 visited the Duke Pub (Belleville) while contagious for the virus. Any individuals who were at The Duke Pub on the afternoon/evening of April 2, 2021 are:
- Currently considered to be high risk contacts of the case.
- Advised to self-isolate immediately, leaving only for the purpose of testing.
- Advised to seek testing as soon as possible, and again on April 12, even if your first test is negative. Provide the investigation number 2238-2021-37424 to the testing centre.
- Required to stay in isolation up to and including April 16, 2021, even if test results are negative.
- Encouraged to review the attached letter for more information.
Out of an abundance of caution, individuals who visited the Duke Pub between Tuesday, March 30 – and Thursday April 1 are encouraged to seek testing for COVID-19 immediately, even if asymptomatic. When you seek testing, please reference investigation number 2238-2021-37424. In addition, please monitor for symptoms for 14 days from your last visit to the pub. If symptoms develop, please isolate at home and away from others, and seek testing again, even if you were negative the first time. It is understood that individuals will need to leave isolation to seek testing. You must stay isolated at home until test results come back.
While HPEPH does not typically disclose the location of COVID-19 cases in order to protect individuals’ privacy, this information is disclosed when needed in order to meet public health objectives such as prompt notification of potential contacts and reducing the risk of further transmission.
HPEPH is in the process of identifying and contacting identified high-risk contacts related to this case. All high-risk contacts will be instructed by HPEPH to self-isolate immediately and to get tested. High-risk contacts are required to remain in isolation for a minimum of 14 days after their exposure, regardless of test results.
“It is incredibly important that all community members monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If symptoms develop, please isolate right away and seek testing for COVID-19,” says Dr. Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “Our case investigations show that individuals are ignoring symptoms and delaying testing, which puts others in the community at risk. If you feel sick, please make a responsible choice and get tested to protect yourself and others.”
Information about where you can get tested can be found at hpePublicHealth.ca. To learn more about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself and what to do if you suspect you may be at risk, visit hpePublicHealth.ca or visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how to protect yourself and stop the spread COVID-19. All residents are also reminded that no one is immune to the virus and some individuals may be exposed despite their best efforts. Be kind to one another as we work together to stop the spread of this virus.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
