Health information

Week four of public health COVID-19 updates

In week four, Dr. Piotr ‘Peter’ Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) updated the public Thursday afternoon in his regular weekly Facebook Live address. Videos are posted at facebook. com/hpepublichealth after each broadcast. Dr. Oglaza’s message this week was brief and remains largely consistent with previous updates. He addressed assessment and testing, the Section 22 Order and long-term care homes, before answering questions about masks, handling groceries, and children’s vaccinations. The public are encouraged to post questions at the Facebook link above, either in advance or in real time, which Dr. Oglaza will attempt to answer during his next weekly live broadcast. Dr. Oglaza suggests personal questions be routed through the HPEPH information line.

As of Thursday morning (April 16), Dr. Oglaza confirmed 28,899 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada and 8,961 in Ontario. In Hastings Prince Edward counties, there are 27 lab-confirmed cases, with 252 probable cases, and one death (current data appears at the end of this article). He noted there have been over 800 tests administered in HPE so far. “We are working to ensure testing is available for those who need it,” said Dr. Oglaza. “The number of tests administered is changing constantly; there are many agencies, many healthcare providers who are administering or collecting tests, so it’s difficult to take a snapshot for the daily report on the number of tests,” he said. “We are moving towards enhancing our testing and making sure we increase access to testing for people in our communities.”

LONG-TERM CARE HOMES
In HPE, there are two outbreaks in longterm care facilities: in Hastings Manor in Belleville and Hallowell House in Picton. “There were five residents and four staff who tested positive for COVID-19 in Hastings Manor, with one confirmed case at Hallowell House.” Both facilities are working closely with public health to control the spread of the virus he said. “It is critical to ensure we prevent the outbreaks from happening, but if the outbreaks have already been declared, then all the measures are in place to prevent the spread.” He also noted the provincial government now require workers in longterm care to only work in one facility. Further, Dr. Oglaza said new admissions to long-term care homes would also now be tested, even if they are symptom-free.

A media release issued Sunday night by HPEPH stated, “HPEPH is supporting proactive testing of residents in local long-term care homes that are in outbreak for COVID-19.” It said the recently implemented process resulted in three new confirmed cases at Hastings Manor over the weekend. “Recent confirmation of additional cases of COVID-19 in the facility has escalated the testing and monitoring process.”

ASSESSMENT AND TESTING
Assessment and testing will be expanded locally according to a media release issued Thursday. “We are working with community healthcare partners to arrange assessment testing for individuals; this is based on the identified priority groups by the province.” It includes anyone with a fever, hoarse cough and shortness of breath, and anyone with worsening of other symptoms of respiratory illness, such as runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion and difficulty swallowing who will be tested if they fall within the priority groups. “Some individuals might be experiencing early or mild symptoms, such as unexplained fatigue, inability to perform regular duties, headache, etc. These are non-specific symptoms, but if they give us enough indication of suspicion that someone might be suffering from COVID, then these individuals might also be considered for testing.” Anyone with symptoms should call the HPEPH information line or their primary healthcare provider.

Dr. Oglaza confirmed that assessment and testing generally would be increased to be available to more people. “The intent is to identify cases of COVID-19 in the community sooner and implement measures.” One question asked if more testing kits for HPE would be coming from the province. “We are working with the ministry on a daily basis to ensure we have adequate supplies to respond to local needs; we have tests available, we will be ramping up.” He confirmed testing would include essential workers in hospitals and longterm care facilities.

SECTION 22 ORDER
Dr. Oglaza provided more details on the Section 22 Class Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act issued last week. “This Order enables public health to enforce self-isolation requirements for all individuals who have been advised to do so,” said Oglaza. “These efforts are being made to protect our community from potential exposure to COVID-19 and the Order requires anyone who has been diagnosed, or who might be of a greater risk of developing COVID-19 is asked to remain home, avoid contact with vulnerable individuals and not allow any visitors in their home for 14 days, or longer depending on the circumstances. This is designed to strengthen and enhance our efforts to slow down the spread of the virus in our community.”

Dr. Oglaza said the Order applies to healthcare workers, but noted there could be some exceptions. The Order comes with consequences for non-compliance, with fines (if convicted) of up to $5,000 per day or part-day.

MASKS
A question was asked about the improper use of masks and gloves in grocery stores. “It’s important to remember that the non- medical masks and face coverings may help protect the individuals around you, they have not been proven to protect the individual wearing it,” he said. “It is not something you would do to protect yourself, it is something you would do to protect others. Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering does not replace the need for physical distancing, and that’s a really important point.”

HANDLING GROCERIES
The question of groceries potentially becoming contaminated was again raised. “The risk of COVID-19 transmission from groceries would be considered extremely low,” said Oglaza. “The major routes of transmission is through direct contact or through droplet, so touching commonly- touched surfaces, such as door knobs and railings, then touching your face is something that can expose you to a virus.” He did recommend washing produce, something that should be done anyway. He recommends using hand sanitizer upon entering a store, sanitizing all handles of the grocery cart, and using a touch-free payment method, then washing hands upon return home, putting groceries away and washing hands again. “Do not put any chemical sanitizer or cleaner on food,” he added.

OLDER ADULTS
Dr. Oglaza was asked if able-bodied seniors living in their own homes can go out daily for walks or to pick up a newspaper. His short answer was ‘no’. “We really ask they protect themselves and stay in.” He noted there had been conflicting government information which said those individuals over the age of 70 should stay indoors. However, Dr. Oglaza added that if well individuals can ensure physical distancing, it was important to maintain physical activity by taking a walk. “Individuals would have to weigh risk versus benefit.”

KIDS VACCINATIONS
The question was asked about those children due their second Grade Seven vaccinations and would they be conducted at the health unit if schools remain closed. Dr. Oglaza said public health were looking at options at how they can be delivered, but no decision has yet been made, but noted it was important to maintain regular vaccinations.

COVID-19 STATISTICS (AT APRIL 21):
Lab-confirmed cases: 37,374 (Canada); 11,735 (Ontario); 34* (Hastings Prince Edward counties)

*(Transmission cause – travel: 12; close contact: 6; community: 15; pending:1)

Reported probable cases (HPE): 234

Facility outbreaks (HPE): Hallowell House, Picton (1 staff – now resolved); Belleville General Hospital In-patient Quinte 5 (2 patients – now resolved); Hastings Manor, Belleville (8 residents, 4 staff)

Deaths: 1,728 (Canada); 622 (Ontario); 1 (HPE – community transmission)

Source: hpepublichealth.ca and canada.ca

The message from public health remains the same: Stay home. Only leave home when absolutely necessary. Maintain physical distancing. Maintain a minimum 2-metre (6.5 feet) distance between others. Practice hand hygiene. Wash hands regularly or use alcohol- based hand sanitizer.

A wealth of information, FAQs and local resources relating to COVID-19, including mental health and children’s resources, can be found at hpepublichealth.ca. The HPEPH COVID-19 information line is 613-966- 5500 (seven days a week). General information can be found at the municipality’s website at thecounty.ca/county-residents/covid-19/. The County COVID-19 Help Line is 1-833-676-2148 (five days a week).