Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/December 22, 2021 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) will continue to provide priority services throughout the holiday period to protect the health of the public and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccinations, high-priority case management and emergency services will continue.

Throughout the holiday period, the following services will continue to be provided:

• Answers to questions about COVID-19 and other public health topics are available at hpePublicHealth.ca.
• The HPEPH COVID-19 reporting dashboard will continue to be updated, with the exception of December 25-28 and January 1-3.
• Work will continue to respond to COVID-19 cases, however due to current case numbers, it may not be possible to provide notification within 48 hours.
  • All individuals who seek testing for COVID-19 should monitor for their test results online, and follow next steps listed below if they test positive. Please note, you may register for email notification when your test results are available.
  • Individuals who test positive should not wait for a call from public health, and should follow guidance for a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • Individuals who are identified as a high-risk contact will not receive a call from public health unless their exposure took place in a high-risk environment*. All high-risk contacts should follow information for individuals who have had a high-risk exposure to COVID-19.
  • Answers to common questions from individuals who test positive, and their high-risk contacts, are available at hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-information.
• Vaccination clinics will continue, with limited access at pharmacies on statutory holidays. Please book your appointment at a community vaccination clinic OR find options to receive vaccination at local pharmacies, at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.
• Non-medical emergencies, outbreaks, and health care providers reporting diseases of public health significance can receive after hours assistance by calling 613-966-5500/1-800-267-2803 and following the prompts.

“Our staff have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic and will continue to work through the holiday season to keep our community as safe as possible,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Please, do what you can to help us by limiting your contacts and making choices to celebrate as safely as possible this holiday season. If you must gather, keep it small, and stay home if you have any symptoms of illness. Get your booster shot as soon as possible to protect yourself, and those around you, from the Omicron variant.”

HPEPH Holiday Office Closures

Belleville and Picton Offices

Closed at noon on Friday, Dec 24th until 8:30 on Wednesday, Dec 29th
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec 31st until 8:30 on Tuesday, Jan 4th

Bancroft Office
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec 24th until 8:30am on Tuesday, Jan 4th 

Trenton Office

Closed at 4:30pm on Wednesday, Dec 22nd until 8:30 on Tuesday, Jan 4th 

* High-risk settings include hospitals and health care settings (complex continuing care facilities and acute care facilities), congregate living settings (long-term care, retirement homes, group homes, shelters, hospices, post-secondary dormitories, temporary foreign worker setting, correctional institutions), schools, child care centres, and camps.