The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit is taking stronger steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community by issuing an order on Tuesday (April 14) requiring anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, is considered a probable case, or has had contact with a confirmed case, to self-isolate in their home for 14 days.
The order, made under section 22 of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act, comes with a penalty of up to $5,000 per day for anyone who fails to self-isolate as required.
“The health unit has heard from many people that there are others who have returned from travel or been confirmed to have COVID-19 and are seen outside of their home, shopping, or visiting friends,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “This order allows the health unit to ensure those people are isolating and not spreading the virus to others in the community.”
The HKRP District Health Unit serves the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County, so all residents of these areas are subject to the order. As of April 14th, there are 109 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 14 in Northumberland County, and six in Haliburton County. There have been 33 deaths, including 29 at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon.
“We are asking everyone to do their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 through our communities,” Dr. Noseworthy says. “If we all work together, we can keep each other safe.”
Health unit staff are continuing to contact area residents who have tested positive for the virus, as well as anyone who has had contact with those individuals. Staff ensure those affected understand they are required to stay home.
Self-isolation means not leaving home at all or having any visitors except as permitted by HKPR District Health Unit, such as a health care worker who must visit the home. People in self-isolation should arrange to have groceries and other necessities delivered to them.
If a person with COVID-19 is homeless, or where their home is otherwise unsuitable or unsafe for isolation purposes, the HKRP District Health Unit will accommodate them in an isolation facility to be determined.
“It is our hope that everyone understands the importance of self-isolating and we do not need to levy any fines under this order,” Dr. Noseworthy adds.
The health unit is also encouraging anyone who is not ill or required to self-isolate to continue to heed public health guidance of staying home to stay safe:
- Asking people to stay at home other than for essential reasons including obtaining groceries or medicines and going to medical appointments. Daily exercise should be done alone or with one family member or to exercise a pet.
- Encouraging people over the age of 70 to stay at home, emerging only for essential needs (groceries, medications, or seeking health care). If possible, they should rely on family and social supports to minimize interaction with others. This advice also applies to people who have underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Asking people who have seasonal cottages to refrain from going to the cottage, as it could put extra strain on the already limited resources of the cottage communities.
- Asking essential businesses that choose to remain open to limit access to their facilities and the number of occupants on their premises. They must also move their operations to delivery and pick-up as much as possible and maximize physical distancing, infection prevention and control practices, and cleaning.
- Asking essential businesses that choose to remain open should also consider active screening of their employees and staff for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
If residents who are not symptomatic or not required to self-isolate at home must leave their home, they are reminded to practise physical distancing, avoid crowds and physical contact, and stay a safe distance of at least two metres (six feet) from other people.
