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Public Health Placing Temporary Hold on Non-Essential Services as Precaution

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/March 16, 2020 – 5:40 pm 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) announced today that all non-essential public-facing programs and activities offered by the public health unit are being placed on hold until further notice. All public health offices will be closed to the public at 4:30 pm today. Plans are being put in place to continue with essential services through other mechanisms such as telephone, email, social media, etc. These changes will allow HPEPH staff to be temporarily reassigned to respond to COVID-19 inquiries and operational demands. The HPEPH response to COVID-19 includes ongoing community monitoring, providing up-to-date information to the public and health care providers (including dedicated COVID-19 phone lines), responding to community inquiries, and providing infection control support to the community.

“We recognize that many individuals rely on public health services to improve their quality of life, and we are committed to finding alternate ways to deliver as many of these services as possible,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “We are prioritizing our response to COVID-19, encouraging social distancing, and ensuring our staff are available to respond to immediate community needs.”

The HPEPH website hpePublicHealth.ca and social media accounts will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to check back often for the latest information on programs and services.

If you are not able to find answers to your questions regarding programs and services online, please dial 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803 and use one of the following extensions to make specific enquiries. Callers may have to wait for their call to be answered due to high call volumes. These extensions are answered by public health staff Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm only.

Child and Reproductive Health CARELine – ext. 223

Communicable Disease Intake Line – ext. 349

Healthy Babies Healthy Children – ext. 269

Healthy Communities – ext. 610

Healthy Environments – ext. 677

Immunization Records and TB Testing – ext. 221

Needle Exchange Program – ext. 620

Oral Health and Vision – ext. 680

Sexual Health Intake Line – ext. 418

Tobacco Talk Line – ext. 600

The COVID-19 phone lines continue to be open seven days a week for individuals who are unable to find their answers on our COVID-19 web page. Updates will be also be posted to our Facebook Page, Twitter @hpePublicHealth.

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Media Contact:
Veronica Montgomery, Foundational Standards Manager
vmontgomery@hpeph.ca

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COVID-19 vaccines in HPE

Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.

Vaccine ordering for health care providers

Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed. For the most up to date pick up schedule please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-orders-info-healthcare-providers/.