Tag: PDHU

Effective Monday, November 23 at 12:01 a.m., the Province of Ontario is moving the region of Huron Perth Public Health into the Orange-Restrict level of the Keeping Ontario Safe & Open Framework.

“As the number of cases rises across the province and in our area, we must all follow public health measures,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health. “To protect our most vulnerable members and our healthcare capacity, it’s critical that we stop the community spread across Huron and Perth. Things can change quickly, so we need to be vigilant now to flatten the curve of this second wave.”

Huron-Perth Update (20Nov)

Huron Perth data that was reported today includes 10 new confirmed community cases, for a cumulative total of 264. Ten cases were resolved, therefore there continues to be 48 active cases in Huron Perth. As reported today with regards to the outbreak at Cedarcroft Place, there are 43 confirmed cases in residents (30 active) and 19 positive staff (1 active). A fourth round of prevalence testing is happening today and Monday.

There is a cluster of cases HPPH continues to investigate involving numerous households connected by social interactions in Perth and Huron.

Orange-Restrict Level

The Orange-Restrict level builds on the public health measures of the previous Yellow-Protect level.

Gathering limits for private events, public events and religious services, weddings and funerals will remain the same:

Gathering limits for certain organized public events and social gatherings (e.g. barbeques) are:

10 people indoors

25 people outdoors

Gathering limits for organized public events and gatherings are:

50 people indoors

100 people outdoors

Gathering limits for religious services, weddings and funerals are:

30% capacity indoors

100 people outdoors

Requirements for face coverings and workplace screening requirements will also remain the same.

However, under Orange-Restrict there are additional requirements for the following:

Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments

Sports and recreational fitness facilities

Meeting and event spaces

Retail

Personal Care Services

Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments

Cinemas

Performing arts facilities

More information on Orange-Restrict public health measures, as well as the Keeping Ontario Safe & Open Framework, can be found at:

Government of Ontario – Orange-Restrict

Huron Perth Public Health

For information about COVID-19:

www.hpph.ca/coronavirus

www.ontario.ca/coronavirus

Follow us at www.facebook.com/HuronPerthPublicHealth and www.twitter.com/HPPublicHealth

Call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133

As a precaution, Huron Perth Public Health has temporarily closed Anna Mae’s Bakery and Restaurant in Perth East while a public health investigation is conducted.

There has been a positive case of COVID-19 associated with the restaurant. Based on current information, the risk to the public is low. As the investigation continues there may be further updates. The restaurant owner is fully cooperative and supports the decision to temporarily close while more information is gathered.

“This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health. “We appreciate the support of the restaurant operator as we continue our investigation.”

When Huron Perth Public Health receives a report of a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, public health staff immediately begin to conduct thorough contact tracing related to the case, which is a priority for stopping the spread of COVID-19.

This public health investigation includes contacting each person identified as being at risk. For those at higher risk, direction is provided including whether they need to isolate and for how long. For many, the risk is not high and those individuals will need to monitor their symptoms for up to two weeks to ensure they do not become infected. High-risk contacts typically have had face-to-face contact with the case within 2 metres (6 feet) for a prolonged period of time (greater than 15 minutes).

It’s important to remember that COVID-19 continues to circulate across Huron-Perth and Ontario.

All residents of Huron-Perth are encouraged to do the following:

If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and arrange for testing.

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.

Maintain physical distance of 6 feet/2 metres from anyone not in your social circle.

Wear a non-medical cloth face covering in indoor public spaces and in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth Public Health, is confirming the first case of COVID-19 in the Huron-Perth region. The 64-year-old male presented to the emergency department at St. Marys Memorial Hospital on the evening of March 12 with symptoms unrelated to COVID-19. The patient’s condition changed in the emergency department and it was identified that COVID-19 should be considered, so testing and precautions were initiated immediately. He was later transferred to Stratford General Hospital.

The patient recently travelled to Mexico, returning home on March 2. When the patient began feeling sick with unrelated illness on March 7, he began self-isolating at home. Currently the patient is in Stratford General Hospital in serious condition.

Huron Perth Public Health continues to work with our local health system partners to identify all known contacts who may have been potentially exposed to the virus and assess any potential health risk. “We are in the process of conducting case and contact management for this patient and we will continue to update the community as more details are available,” says Dr. Klassen.

“Having a confirmed case in our area is not unexpected given the transmission of this virus globally,” says Dr. Klassen. “Although it is concerning to have a confirmed case, it’s important to remember that as a community and as a health system, we have been preparing for COVID-19. Our focus is on breaking the chain of transmission to limit the spread of infection. The risk to Huron-Perth residents remains low.”

Current recommendations for residents

At this time, the virus is not circulating locally. However, this is a rapidly changing situation requiring that the community and individuals be prepared for potential wider spread of the infection in the community.

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health are advising all travellers to monitor their health for fever, cough, and difficulty breathing for 14 days after arriving back in Canada. If symptoms develop within 14 days, returning travellers are directed to self-isolate as quickly as possible and immediately call their health care provider or public health.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, or difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

Testing is only being considered for high-risk individuals, including:

Symptomatic contacts of confirmed cases, until community transmission is confirmed

Individuals admitted to hospital with acute respiratory illness

Health care workers with acute respiratory illness

Individuals with acute respiratory who reside in long-term care homes and retirement homes

Individuals with acute respiratory illness who reside in other institutions and as directed by local public health

Health care workers as part of a health care institutional outbreak and as directed by local public health.

If you are experiencing mild respiratory symptoms, you are advised to stay home and self-isolate and testing is not required. If you have additional questions, contact your healthcare provider or public health by phone.

For more information

www.hpph.ca/coronavirus

Health Line at 1-888-221-2133 ext 3267.

HPHA’s hospitals remains a safe place for patients and the public. We are taking every possible step to ensure a safe work and patient care environment. All hospitals sites are open and continue to offer care. Patients will continue to be screened at all points of patient registration.