For Immediate Release
December 15, 2021
The Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR DHU) is currently reporting a total of 163 confirmed COVID-19 cases for Haliburton County since the outset of the pandemic; at the time of this report, there are 3 high risk contacts and 2 unresolved cases.
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Positivity Rate for COVID-19
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 2.25%
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 2.96%
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 2.31%
Oct 18 – Oct 29: 0%
Average tests completed each week
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 133
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 84.5
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 65
Oct 18 – Oct 29: 71.5
Positivity rate for Variants of Concern, as a percentage of total positive tests
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 0%
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 0%
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 66.67%
Oct 18 – Oct 29: n/a
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Variants of Concern
Variants of Concern (VOCs) continue to be linked to community transmission, as they are more easily spread between people. The latest VOC, the Omicron Variant, is more easily spread than any VOC to date.
As COVID-19 case numbers are on the rise locally as well as provincially, it is critical that public health measures continue to be followed in order to help prevent further spread of the virus and the VOCs. These measures include frequent handwashing, wearing a face mask in public spaces, and maintaining social/physical distancing.
COVID-19 Testing is Critical
COVID-19 testing continues to be a critical part of the pandemic response; if you are experiencing one or more COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please call the Haliburton County COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre 705-457-1212 (press 6) during regular business hours to book an appointment for a COVID-19 test.
Get the COVID Vaccine – Protect Yourself and Help Bring an End to the Pandemic
• COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness and/or being hospitalized due to COVID-19.
• It is recommended that everyone get the COVID vaccine unless they have a medical exemption. COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Possible side effects from the vaccine are far less compared to the risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
• It is also recommended that anyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine booster (third dose) do so to help further reduce the risk of severe illness.
• If you are not sure that you should receive the vaccine, please talk with your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.
• Even if you have had COVID-19, it is still safe and still important to receive the vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about when to get your vaccine after infection.
• Being vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of illness and transmission of the virus, however there is still a chance that fully vaccinated individuals could become ill and/or could carry and transmit the virus to others; because of this, you must continue to follow the usual precautions for now even after receiving the vaccine:
o Stay Home if you have symptoms and get tested.
o Continue Physical Distancing, Wearing a Mask, and Hand Washing.
Positivity Rates & Report Reminders
• The positivity rate represents the percentage of persons tested at the Haliburton County Community Assessment Centre who test positive for COVID-19, over the two-week period noted.
• HKPR DHU reports are based on geographical boundaries, which means the cases reported for the Haliburton region only include those among persons residing within the boundaries of Haliburton County, regardless of where the testing takes place.
• The positivity rate may not represent all positive COVID-19 cases in Haliburton County – only those who are identified through testing at our local Assessment Centre.
• Some persons in our community who reside outside of Haliburton County borders may be tested at other locations, and are not captured in this report.
• All cases reported through HKPR DHU for Haliburton County may not be included in the local positivity rate, as some tests may have been completed elsewhere.
December 15, 2021
The Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR DHU) is currently reporting a total of 163 confirmed COVID-19 cases for Haliburton County since the outset of the pandemic; at the time of this report, there are 3 high risk contacts and 2 unresolved cases.
---
Positivity Rate for COVID-19
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 2.25%
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 2.96%
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 2.31%
Oct 18 – Oct 29: 0%
Average tests completed each week
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 133
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 84.5
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 65
Oct 18 – Oct 29: 71.5
Positivity rate for Variants of Concern, as a percentage of total positive tests
Nov 29 – Dec 10: 0%
Nov 15 – Nov 26: 0%
Nov 1 – Nov 12: 66.67%
Oct 18 – Oct 29: n/a
---
Variants of Concern
Variants of Concern (VOCs) continue to be linked to community transmission, as they are more easily spread between people. The latest VOC, the Omicron Variant, is more easily spread than any VOC to date.
As COVID-19 case numbers are on the rise locally as well as provincially, it is critical that public health measures continue to be followed in order to help prevent further spread of the virus and the VOCs. These measures include frequent handwashing, wearing a face mask in public spaces, and maintaining social/physical distancing.
COVID-19 Testing is Critical
COVID-19 testing continues to be a critical part of the pandemic response; if you are experiencing one or more COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please call the Haliburton County COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre 705-457-1212 (press 6) during regular business hours to book an appointment for a COVID-19 test.
Get the COVID Vaccine – Protect Yourself and Help Bring an End to the Pandemic
• COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness and/or being hospitalized due to COVID-19.
• It is recommended that everyone get the COVID vaccine unless they have a medical exemption. COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Possible side effects from the vaccine are far less compared to the risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
• It is also recommended that anyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine booster (third dose) do so to help further reduce the risk of severe illness.
• If you are not sure that you should receive the vaccine, please talk with your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.
• Even if you have had COVID-19, it is still safe and still important to receive the vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about when to get your vaccine after infection.
• Being vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of illness and transmission of the virus, however there is still a chance that fully vaccinated individuals could become ill and/or could carry and transmit the virus to others; because of this, you must continue to follow the usual precautions for now even after receiving the vaccine:
o Stay Home if you have symptoms and get tested.
o Continue Physical Distancing, Wearing a Mask, and Hand Washing.
Positivity Rates & Report Reminders
• The positivity rate represents the percentage of persons tested at the Haliburton County Community Assessment Centre who test positive for COVID-19, over the two-week period noted.
• HKPR DHU reports are based on geographical boundaries, which means the cases reported for the Haliburton region only include those among persons residing within the boundaries of Haliburton County, regardless of where the testing takes place.
• The positivity rate may not represent all positive COVID-19 cases in Haliburton County – only those who are identified through testing at our local Assessment Centre.
• Some persons in our community who reside outside of Haliburton County borders may be tested at other locations, and are not captured in this report.
• All cases reported through HKPR DHU for Haliburton County may not be included in the local positivity rate, as some tests may have been completed elsewhere.