Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19 in the area today, along with five recoveries, for an active total of 83.
Five of the new cases were found in Belleville, with two in North Hastings and one in Quinte West.
Two of the cases were transmitted through close contact, one is outbreak related, one is connected to travel, and the transmission causes of the remaining four cases are pending.
There are currently 17 people in hospital due the virus, with seven in the ICU and five on ventilators.
The health unit has also declared a new community outbreak in Hastings Highlands, which has been linked to 11 cases between HPE and Renfrew County.
A community outbreak is defined as:
Multiple cases impacting several linked locations in the community and/or in populations impacted by shared risk factors. A community outbreak is not necessarily limited to one location/establishment.
Cases come from at least two different households/living spaces and at least two cases share an epidemiological link (e.g., connection in person, place, and time) in the community setting within a 14-day period where at least four of the cases could have reasonably acquired their infection in the setting.
Affected populations may share a common social group, community, neighbourhood, event, team, or multi-unit dwelling.
In certain situations, affected populations may share common social determinants of health which place them at increased risk.
That’s one of six outbreaks across the region.
A total of 68,691 vaccine doses have been administered, with 4,745 people or 3% of the area’s population, being fully vaccinated.
In Northumberland County today, the HKPR Health Unit is reporting two new cases and six recoveries, for an active total of 31.
