Health information

Travel discouraged, but get active in a responsible way

Week 11 of the public health update on the COVID-19 outbreak was hosted by Dr. Ethan Toumishey with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH). Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health is now on parental leave until the fall, with Dr. Alexa Caturay as Acting Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Toumishey answered submitted questions during the Facebook Live session on Thursday. The public are encouraged to post questions at facebook. com/hpepublichealth to be answered during the weekly live broadcasts (videos are posted at this link after each broadcast). Future broadcasts will continue now every two weeks, with the next session scheduled for June 18.

Dr. Toumishey provided an update on the numbers, noting 93,430 lab-confirmed COVID- 19 cases in Canada, 29,403 in Ontario, and 43 in Hastings Prince Edward counties, with no new cases reported in HPE since May 18. There are 185 probable cases in HPE, with deaths remaining at five. There have been 7,800 tests administered, and he confirmed there are no current long-term care outbreaks in the area. “We continue to work closely with hospitals, long-term care homes, healthcare providers and assessment centres to ensure testing is available to those who need it,” said Toumishey. He said there is increased activity in the province overall, but noted HPE remains a low-prevalence area.

As the weather warms up, HPEPH are encouraging ‘active transportation’, particularly as people may have been less active due to changes in lifestyle with staying at home. “‘Active transportation’ is described as using your own power to get from one place to another. This includes walking, running, rollerblading, skateboarding, riding a bike, among many others,” he said. With many events cancelled this year to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Toumishey said they would like to encourage people to use any of these methods to get to work, to get groceries or simply to get active, all while still maintaining physical distancing.

ASSESSMENT CENTRES
Testing has been extended locally under provincial direction to allow all individuals concerned about potential exposure to COVID-19 to access testing. Dr. Toumishey recommended appointments be made to avoid long wait times, with contact information and hours listed on the HPEPH website.

One question asked what a ‘probable’ case is. “A probable case relies on the COVID-19 compatible symptoms, with the most common ones being fever, cough and difficulty breathing, with some history of exposure, and these are the considerations we are looking at.”

BUSINESS RE-OPENING
“Many businesses are now permitted to reopen as long as appropriate precautions are in place to protect clients and staff,” said Toumishey. He noted that HPEPH in partnership with Hastings County recently held a webinar to provide information to businesses to support opening during the pandemic (the recording available on the HPEPH website). Additional information for businesses, especially sector-specific information, is also available there.

One question asked about testing of businesses for re-opening. Dr. Toumishey said, “At this time, there is no specific requirement for employees or patrons of the retail sector to be tested for COVID-19. Testing is available to those who wish to be tested or for those with symptoms or believe they may have been exposed.” He noted that some businesses may have their own requirements for particular situations. “The province has indicated targeted testing campaigns may take place in certain sectors over the coming weeks with details yet to be announced.”

MIGRANT FARM WORKERS
Dr. Toumishey noted that there have been news reports of some outbreaks in farms affecting migrant farm workers, particularly in southwestern Ontario, an agricultural area with a number of farms. He said there are procedures in place for safety, where people entering Canada must observe a 14-day quarantine. Dr. Toumishey also said that public health inspectors are involved in the inspection of migrant workers’ accommodation. “As in all settings, as we look to re-opening with the province, we can anticipate that there may be some risk, so we are trying to find cases from the public health side. Crucially, we are maintaining the ability to detect cases and act on them.”

TRAVEL
“We are currently living in an area with low COVID- 19 prevalence, but that’s not the case with all areas in the province as some have had increased activity,” said Toumishey. The question addressed visiting individuals in the GTA, an area with higher prevalence, and what would be the requirements. Dr. Toumishey noted that the province’s state of emergency has been extended until June 30, which includes gatherings of more than five people being prohibited. “In general, we are encouraging individuals to limit or discourage from non-essential travel, and to continue to practise physical distancing principles, frequently washing hands, and if physical distancing can’t be maintained, consider wearing a face covering,” he said. “If an individual does travel outside the area, we encourage people to avoid congregate settings as these may present higher increased risk activities. On your return, be conscientious of whom you maybe visiting, especially higher-risk individuals.”

Dr. Toumishey said there isn’t a specific requirement to self-isolate for those who visit Toronto who then come back to the area. “We would encourage everyone to do your own risk assessment, including physical distancing, and to minimize your risk when you are going out to keep you safe and to keep everyone else safe.”