Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Jan. 29, 2021 – Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is reminding all residents that a Stay at Home Order is in effect. This means residents must stay home whenever possible and avoid any unnecessary travel outside of the region. While these actions are helping keep case rates low in the region, rates remain high in other areas. Continued vigilance is critical to slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid unknowingly bringing variants of the virus to Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC). Increasing rates of COVID-19 variants are being confirmed throughout the province, reinforcing the importance of staying at home and in our region. Most concerning at the current time is the variant B.1.1.7, a new, more easily transmissible (contagious) variant of COVID-19 that was first found in the United Kingdom (the UK variant).
A case of the UK variant was recently confirmed in KFL&A region, serving as a reminder that rural regions are not immune to arrival of variants from other areas. This finding emphasizes the need for enhanced efforts from all residents of HPEC to delay the arrival of COVID-19 variants in our region. We all have a role to play to keep our community safe. Early modelling suggests that the UK variant may be up to 70% more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19. Evidence also suggests that close contacts of someone who is positive with the UK variant are significantly more likely to become infected, than close contacts of the original strain.
The province’s current Stay at Home Order requires that Ontarians stay at home and avoid travel outside their own region unless absolutely necessary. This Order is in effect until at least Feb. 9, 2021. HPEPH will continue to monitor rates of COVID-19, including variants, throughout the province, and will respond as necessary in order to protect the residents of HPEC.
“Please make every effort to stay at home and avoid any travel outside of HPEC, unless it is absolutely essential. Ask yourself if your travel or trip outside the home is truly necessary, or if it could be postponed until a later date,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “These choices may seem small, but they make a big impact. Each day we postpone the arrival of variants in our region helps us get closer to the next shipment of vaccine and allows us to protect more of the most vulnerable people in our community. Your choice to stay home could save someone’s life.”
While current public health measures are working, they must be continued in order to keep case rates low in our region and help keep our community safe. All residents are asked to do their part and stay home and avoid or delay travel outside of HPEC. If you feel unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 (even if mild), don’t assume it is just a cold; get tested. In addition:
- stay two metres apart from those outside your household;
- wear a mask or face covering when around others;
- wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- sneeze and cough into your sleeve;
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Additional information about the UK variant can be found on the attached fact sheet.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@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.
