COVID-19 Community Updates March 17

City officials continue to meet with representatives of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, Quinte Health Care, neighbouring municipalities and other community partners on an ongoing basis to receive updates on the COVID-19 situation locally and beyond. Updates since the last meeting include:

• There have been 439 confirmed cases to date in the Hastings Prince Edward Counties catchment area. There are currently 8 active lab-confirmed cases in the region, with zero individuals hospitalized, in ICU or on ventilators. In-depth case details are available on Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard. Every effort is being made to update the dashboard daily by 2 p.m. (with the exception of statutory holidays) with the latest information.
• There have been 75,720 total swab tests completed since Nov. 3, 2020 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, Paramedics COVID-19 Response Team and COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Belleville, North Hastings Prince Edward County and Quinte West.
• There have been 13,207 vaccines administered in the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health region to date with 1,345 individuals fully vaccinated. This number will continue to be updated on the COVID-19 dashboard. More information on the vaccine rollout is available on Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s website.
• The Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit’s face covering mandate remains in effect.
• Quinte Health Care has created a resource page for COVID-19 testing which includes assessment centre information and online registration forms. Residents who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to get tested. The Belleville COVID-19 assessment centre is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Pre-registration is required. Residents are encouraged to register online.
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reminds parents to continue to check for symptoms of COVID-19 each day. An online screening tool is available on the provincial government’s website.
• The Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit region remains under Green – Prevent under the Province’s Framework for Reopening. More information is available on the provincial government’s website.
• In order to provide enhanced protection to the local community, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza has implemented additional precautions under the Section 22 Order to supplement provincial restrictions.
• Individuals aged 80 and older (born in 1941 and earlier) can now book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine at ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Online booking is encouraged. If you are unable to book online for yourself, please ask a friend or family member to book on your behalf. You will require your health card number.
• As HPE Public Health continues to work through vaccine rollout, residents are asked for patience and cooperation. All groups that are currently eligible are listed online.

• City Hall remains open to the public with COVID-19 protocols in place. Residents are encouraged to call 613-968-6481 ahead of time and book an appointment to avoid waiting at the door.

• The Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre has returned to operation. More information is available at qswc.ca. Users will be restricted to residents of Green, Yellow and Orange zones and will undergo screening protocols.
• Glanmore National Historic Site and the Belleville Public Library have also reopened to the public. More information and COVID-19 protocols for both facilities are available on their websites.

For other impacts to City of Belleville services, visit our COVID-19 information page.

Download the COVID Alert app for free in the App Store and Google Play.

For ongoing COVID-19 updates and ways to protect yourself and your family, please visit: hpepublichealth.ca