As parts of Ontario begin to lift COVID-19 related restrictions, officials with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health are advising people to continue to be cautious.
Dr. Ethan Toumishey addressed reopening during the health unit’s seventh COVID-19 update on Facebook Thursday afternoon.
He says as we move towards reopening, all of the same public safety messages remain the same.
Dr. Toumishey credited the low infection numbers locally to teamwork by all local healthcare agencies and providers, but says it’s the public’s “sacrifice” that has really been making the difference.
He added that even with the long weekend approaching, public health officials are still recommending against travelling out of town to places like cottages, or to see friends or family.
He says there continues to be communication between municipalities and the province and people should be following all the rules in place within their own communities.
And he says with Mental Health Week coming up next week and most people being able to communicate via video calls or phone, it’s important to reach out to friends and family, to see how they’re doing.
Dr. Toumishey is recommending that anyone who has COVID-19 questions or concerns call the health unit’s info line at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803.
He says the info line, which operates from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends, is experiencing relatively low wait times and staff are doing their best to support and inform the public as much as they can.
