The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has closed its three offices to the public, following the provincial government's announcement of a State of Emergency in Ontario.
Health unit staff continue to provide services to members of the public – including the operation of mass-immunization clinics in Northumberland County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County – COVID case investigation and follow-up, and outbreak management. As well, Health Unit staff continue to support harm-reduction programs, some environmental-health programs, and some programs in place to support families and children.
“Although our physical locations may close, our staff will continue their work to support and help our residents,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said in the announcement.
While the HKPR region is not seeing the same volume of cases as some parts of the province, Dr. Bocking says there has been a troubling increase in the number of local cases.
“We may not be considered a hot spot for cases, but I am concerned by the increase in the number of cases we have been seeing locally,” she stated.
“We are hearing stories of people gathering, not quarantining if they have been identified as a high-risk contact, and travelling for non-essential reasons. Unfortunately, these actions, coupled with the variants of concern that are now circulating, are leading to increased cases in our area.”
The province announced yesterday that individuals born in 1961 or earlier are now eligible to book vaccination appointments through the provincial booking system (www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine or 1-888-999-6488).
Last week, the province also announced the expansion of the pharmacy vaccination program to include local pharmacies. The Health Unit, together with its many health partners, is vaccinating residents and staffing vaccination clinics.
Dr. Bocking pointed out that there are a number of options open to those deemed eligible under the provincial plan.
“I would urge eligible individuals to visit the provincial booking system to continue to look for appointments. Some of our larger clinics may fill up quickly, but I know we have a number of appointments available in the north throughout the month of April.”
It is Dr. Bocking’s hope that vaccinations, coupled with the newly imposed Stay-at-Home order, will help turn the tide against this virus.
“I know we are all tired and experiencing pandemic fatigue, but we need to work together just a little while longer in the hope that we can get this virus under control and start to see some normalcy in our lives,” she urged.
