Quarantine

Story: Corey Engelsdorfer
Events and buildings across the County close amid COVID-19 concerns

What started as an outside lingering worry has now hit close to home. This week, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) notified municipal leaders that there are more than 35 probable but not-yet-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bay of Quinte region based on symptoms and recent travel. This has prompted Mayor Steve Ferguson, who is also a member of the Municipal Emergency Management Group, to act quickly on implementing a plan. “The recent update from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reinforces the importance of social distancing as well as frequent and thorough hand washing. The time to act is now. We all have a role to play in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve,” said Ferguson.

Effective immediately, the Wellington and District Community Centre and the Prince Edward Community Centre are closed to the public. Use of municipal facilities for community support services will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. All town halls and museums are closed, and no social activities or events will be permitted. Municipal offices at Shire Hall and the Edward Building remain open at this time. The municipality is undertaking increased cleaning and disinfecting of common contact points in municipal offices to ensure public safety. In addition, the municipality will restrict access within these municipal offices in order to protect staff. Residents can also make a variety of payments and access services online without having to visit a municipal office. Visit the County website for more information thecounty.ca/make-a-payment-online.

The County has also suspended all in-person advisory committee and Board meetings until further notice. This decision is to help facilitate community-based measures as recommended by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). On Wednesday March 18, staff will be bringing forward a motion to permit electronic participation via teleconference and email to advisory Committees/ Boards to utilize when necessary.

“The health and well-being of our community remains our top priority. The municipality continues to take an abundance of caution and do everything it can to help keep residents safe and healthy. Effective immediately, we are closing all recreation facilities, museums and town halls and adding protocols to access municipal customer services at Shire Hall and the Edward Building. We are also making plans to implement social distancing for council/committee meetings,” said Ferguson. “We will continue to provide updates to residents as they become available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”

On Sunday, the Prince Edward Fitness centre closed its doors, and the Prince Edward Public Libraries have suspended programming. The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association has also closed its office and has placed programs and activities on hold until further notice. Programs currently operating with modified schedules, for urgent situations only, and with ongoing rigorous active screening of both clients and volunteers, are Meals on Wheels and Escorted Transportation. Friendly visiting and reassurance programs are still operating by telephone only.

Other large events that have cancelled in the wake of COVID-19 are Maple in the County, the famous Rotary Waterfall Tour and County Pop. For County Pop organizer Dave Ullrich, the decison wasn’t an easy one. “After discussions with a bunch of people, including those at the County and Mayor Ferguson, we have to cancel County Pop. Once I saw that the Ontario Medical Officer of Health is recommending cancelling events with more than 250 people, it pretty much made up my mind,” said Ullrich. “My plan is to be back next year and of course move forward with Sandbanks Music this summer, assuming everything calms down by then.”

On Tuesday morning, Premier Doug Ford declared a provincial state of emergency in response to a worsening COVID-19 outbreak and has ordered the closure of restaurants and bars not providing takeout service, along with a host of other venues where crowds are known to gather.

“Right now we have to do everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19 in order to avoid overwhelming our healthcare system,” said Ford. “We must think about our children, our parents and our grandparents. We must think about the elderly, those with health issues and every other person across this province. All of these people have been on my heart and on my mind with every decision I have made during this crisis.”

By declaring a state of emergency, the province would have the power to issue orders that prohibit travel or movement, as has been done in other countries, including Italy.

There have been 177 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario so far, including an additional 32 that were added to the count on Monday.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is advising the public that any individuals meeting criteria should not visit an emergency room but should instead contact HPEPH at 613.966.5500 for more information and guidance with respect to restrictions and follow-up requirements. HPEPH also recommends all individuals who are returning from travel outside Canada to self-isolate for 14 days and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

“We are advising all international travellers to take proactive measures and self-isolate while monitoring for symptoms, in order to help keep the local risk of COVID-19 as low as possible” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health. “We are asking everyone in our community to practise social responsibility during this critical time, as these actions can protect your own health and those around you. We have the opportunity to slow the spread of illness and ensure healthcare resources are available to those who need them most.”