Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) will continue to provide priority services throughout the holiday period to protect the health of our community. Getting your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines is important to stay #HealthyForTheHolidays. Visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking/ to find vaccine clinic information.
• Public Health Nurses are available to answer your questions about infant feeding, parenting, growth and development, and more, when HPEPH offices are open. Call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223. You can also email the CARELine at [email protected].
• Individuals reporting non-medical emergencies or outbreaks and health care providers reporting diseases of public health significance can receive after hours assistance by calling 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803 and following the prompts.
• For sexual health and harm reduction needs, call 613-966-5500, ext. 243.
• For alternate locations to access naloxone and/or safer drug use supplies, visit hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use/
• Find answers to common public health questions and concerns are available at hpePublicHealth.ca.
Please note, the HPEPH COVID-19 Dashboard and the Respiratory Infection Dashboard will not be updated the week of December 25 to December 29. Updates will resume on January 2.
Belleville and Picton offices
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec. 22 until 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27
Closed at noon on Friday, Dec. 29 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2
Bancroft office
Closed at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan 2
Trenton office
Closed at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20 until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2
#SpreadJoyNotGerms this holiday season:
• Stay up to date with your immunizations: COVID-19, flu, and RSV (if you are eligible).
• Skip the holiday party if you’re not feeling well. It is critical to stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick. Be respectful of others and keep your sniffles at home, and don’t risk spreading infection to the vulnerable.
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and when recovering from illness. If you are attending a busy gathering or interacting with others, wearing a mask will reduce your risk of unknowingly spreading an infection to those you love. If you are recovering from illness, it is especially important to wear a mask for 10 days after your symptoms started.
• Wash your hands often, and clean high touch surfaces frequently. This is especially important to prevent the spread of influenza and RSV. If you host or attend a holiday gathering, clean high touch surfaces, and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
• Protect our health care services. Doing what you can to limit the spread of illness will help ensure our health care workers are available for those who need them most.
If you get sick, information about HPE COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics, including booking information, can be found at www.hpeoht.ca/covid-cold-flu-care-clinics/.
Don’t invite food borne illness to your holiday gathering!
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is reminding all residents to practice safe food handling as they gather with family and friends this holiday season.
Wondering how you can keep your food safe?
Start with a clean slate
Wash your hands thoroughly before, after, and between preparing different foods.
Ensure all surfaces, cutting boards, utensils, and dishes are clean and sanitized.
Wash fruit and veggies before serving, even if you peel them.
Watch the temperature
Cook foods to the proper temperature.
Keep hot food hot (60°C or more).
Keep cold foods cold (4°C or less).
Avoid the danger zone
Never let food sit in the temperature danger zone (4 °C to 6 °C).
Even cooked food may become unsafe to eat in the danger zone!
Thaw food in the fridge, not on the counter.
Cool food quickly by dividing leftovers into smaller portions and refrigerate them quickly.
Reheat food to its original cooking temperature.
If leftovers have stayed out too long, cooking again won’t necessarily make them safe.
These simple food safety tips will help ensure you don’t invite food borne illnesses to your holiday gathering. For more information on food safety, visit hpePublicHealth.ca.
