Another death related to COVID-19; more people in hospital

SEPT. 27: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, in its weekly COVID-19 update, has recorded another death, and increased hospitalizations due to the virus.

There are now 83 deaths in the region since the pandemic began. There are 42 people in hospital related to the virus, three require intensive care.

There are 228 new high-risk setting cases, and 272 active cases. One more high-risk setting outbreak was recorded. There are now 17 – including at the Quinte Health Picton hospital.

SEPT. 20: Five new deaths related to COVID-19 were recorded in the weekly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health report – now 82 since the pandemic began. There are 33 people in hospital related to the virus; four require intensive care.

New and active cases in high-risk settings also rose from last week – now 243 new cases and 311 active cases. One more outbreak in a high-risk setting was recorded. There are 16 outbreaks, including the continuation at Hallowell House in Picton and an agricultural workplace setting in the County.

Several COVID-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled in the coming weeks in Prince Edward County.

Clinics are to be held at the Prince Edward Community Centre (375 Picton Main Street, Picton) on the following days:
Tuesday, Sept. 27, noon-7 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 11, noon-7 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 18, noon-7 pm
Thursday, Oct. 27, noon-7 pm

In addition, a special clinic to help young children under the age of 12 get the COVID-19 vaccine is set for Thursday, Oct. 13 from 3-6:30 pm at the Prince Edward Community Centre (375 Picton Main Street).

People aged 12 and over who are eligible for their first, second, third, or fourth dose of the vaccine can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the above clinics. There are also a limited number of appointments for both children under 5 years of age and children aged 5-11 kids at all clinics.

You may book an appointment in advance for these clinics. Go online to book or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1.833.943.3900. Walk-ins may be accepted at all upcoming Picton clinics depending on vaccine availability.

SEPT. 13 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is recording nine new deaths related to the COVID-19 virus over the past week – now 77 since the pandemic began. There are 10 more people in hospital since last week, now 31. Two require intensive care.

New high-risk setting cases have also risen to 215, with 246 active high-risk setting cases.

One more outbreak has been recorded – for 15 active cases. The outbreaks at H.J. McFarland Home and MLP Residence were declared over Sept. 12. The outbreak at Hallowell House continues.

UPDATE:  Further to yesterday’s announcement below, the “bivalent” COVID-19 vaccine, is now available to select high-risk individuals, unanticipated availability is enabling Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) to offer the bivalent vaccine to eligible individuals booked at COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Belleville this week.

SEPT. 12: HPEPH prioritizing a limited supply of the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for individuals in highest-risk settings.

The province has announced the adapted version of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine, known as a “bivalent” vaccine, is now available to select high-risk individuals.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) will be receiving a small number of doses of the bivalent vaccine from the province in the coming days, but due to limited supplies HPEPH will initially be prioritizing available bivalent vaccine for residents and workers at identified highest-risk facilities.

Due to limited supply, other eligible individuals CANNOT book an appointment in HPEC for bivalent vaccine through the provincial booking system at this time, however vaccine clinics in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties will continue to offer monovalent vaccines (the same mRNA vaccines given as the primary series) for all eligible individuals.

HPEPH thanks all residents for their patience and cooperation as we work to deliver the bivalent vaccine to our most vulnerable residents as efficiently and effectively as possible. As increasing quantities of the bivalent vaccine become available, appointments will be offered at HPEPH clinics, as well as at local pharmacies, for eligible individuals.

What is a bivalent vaccine?

The bivalent vaccine includes messenger RNA (mRNA) components of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from 2019 and the Omicron (BA.1) variant. It is authorized for use as a booster dose in individuals 18 years of age or older. Individuals can receive the bivalent booster at the recommended interval of at least six months from their previous dose, regardless of how many boosters they have already received.

SEPT. 6: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health in its weekly COVID-19 update has recorded one new death related to the virus on its dashboard – now 68 since the pandemic began.

There are 21 people in hospital related to the virus, one requires intensive care.

There are 176 new high-risk setting cases and 261 active high-risk setting cases. There are also two more outbreaks in high-risk settings – now 14 outbreaks, including Hallowell House nursing home, the MLP Residence and HJ McFarland Home.

New cases are defined as ones that have been reported since the last dashboard update. Active cases are defined as any case that has been reported and is not yet resolved.

To date in Hastings Prince Edward Counties, 86 per cent of the population has received a first dose; 80 per cent a second and 53 per cent a third. Of the population aged 60 and older, 52 per cent has received a fourth dose.

Two COVID-19 vaccination clinics are to be held: Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Bloomfield Town Hall (289 Bloomfield Main St.) and Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 3-6:30 p.m. at the Prince Edward Community Centre (375 Picton Main Street, Picton).