For Immediate Release
April 21, 2021
The Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR DHU) is currently reporting a total of 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases for Haliburton County since the outset of the pandemic; at the time of this report, 8 of those cases are not yet resolved.
- - -
Positivity Rate for COVID-19
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 2.06%
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 5.31%
Mar 8 – Mar 19: 4.06%
Feb 22 – Mar 5: 0%
Average Tests Completed Each Week
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 122
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 104
Mar 8 – Mar 19: 140
Feb 22 – Mar 5: 108
Positivity Rate for Variants of Concern
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 0.82%
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 0.005%
- - -
Variants of Concern
HKPR DHU is currently reporting 14 Variants of Concern for Haliburton County, up from 5 cases just one week ago. At the time of this report, there are growing numbers of these variants linked to community transmission, as they are more easily spread between people. The variants are also affecting a much higher proportion of younger people, present a greater risk for reinfection, have more severe symptoms with an increased risk of hospitalization, and increased likelihood of ICU admission.
Variants have been a significant factor in the escalation of the third wave of the pandemic in Ontario, leading to the highest rate of ICU admissions since the pandemic began, and a higher rate than any other province in Canada. The third wave has put significant strain on the healthcare system, and is resulting in patients been transferred in large numbers between hospitals to help manage capacity.
Haliburton Highlands Health Services has been advised to be prepared for potential transfers of patients from other hospitals, and Eastern paramedic services including Haliburton County Paramedic Service are up-staffing ambulances daily to assist with the movement of these patients out of the GTA. Current trends suggest the situation will worsen over the next few weeks, as it will take some time for the provincial stay-at-home order to have a positive effect on reducing transmission of the virus.
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.
• HKPR DHU reports are based on geographical boundaries, which mean 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.
April 21, 2021
The Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR DHU) is currently reporting a total of 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases for Haliburton County since the outset of the pandemic; at the time of this report, 8 of those cases are not yet resolved.
- - -
Positivity Rate for COVID-19
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 2.06%
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 5.31%
Mar 8 – Mar 19: 4.06%
Feb 22 – Mar 5: 0%
Average Tests Completed Each Week
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 122
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 104
Mar 8 – Mar 19: 140
Feb 22 – Mar 5: 108
Positivity Rate for Variants of Concern
Apr 5 – Apr 16: 0.82%
Mar 22 – Apr 2: 0.005%
- - -
Variants of Concern
HKPR DHU is currently reporting 14 Variants of Concern for Haliburton County, up from 5 cases just one week ago. At the time of this report, there are growing numbers of these variants linked to community transmission, as they are more easily spread between people. The variants are also affecting a much higher proportion of younger people, present a greater risk for reinfection, have more severe symptoms with an increased risk of hospitalization, and increased likelihood of ICU admission.
Variants have been a significant factor in the escalation of the third wave of the pandemic in Ontario, leading to the highest rate of ICU admissions since the pandemic began, and a higher rate than any other province in Canada. The third wave has put significant strain on the healthcare system, and is resulting in patients been transferred in large numbers between hospitals to help manage capacity.
Haliburton Highlands Health Services has been advised to be prepared for potential transfers of patients from other hospitals, and Eastern paramedic services including Haliburton County Paramedic Service are up-staffing ambulances daily to assist with the movement of these patients out of the GTA. Current trends suggest the situation will worsen over the next few weeks, as it will take some time for the provincial stay-at-home order to have a positive effect on reducing transmission of the virus.
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.
• HKPR DHU reports are based on geographical boundaries, which mean 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.