Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has launched a new online reporting system to provide the public with more information about COVID-19 cases and testing in the region. 

The online dashboard, which will be updated daily, will include the number of local lab-confirmed cases, probable cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to the coronavirus. In addition, the dashboard provides general information about the number of cases identified across the region and cases associated with special groups such as long-term care home residents and health care workers, and information about the number of tests being administered locally, and associated results.

“We are pleased to have developed an online reporting tool that allows us to provide a comprehensive picture of COVID-19 in our region,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH in a statement. “All while upholding our commitment to individual privacy and confidentiality.”

The online system has been built to provide up-to-date information for public reporting purposes. However, HPEPH wants people to note that certain data must be interpreted carefully. As the number of tests administered for COVID-19 is constantly changing, it can take several days for test results to be processed, it’s difficult for HPEPH to provide a snapshot of tests administered that aligns precisely with actual test results at any given time.

The number of tests listed on the dashboard represents only those test results that have been received by public health to date.  Further, the number of probable cases listed on the dashboard is cumulative, meaning cases are not removed from the list unless they are tested, after which they are re-categorized as either positive or negative. 

In order to help provide a better picture of the number of active probable cases in the community at any given time, HPEPH is listing the number of probable cases that have ‘recovered’, along with the total cumulative number of probable cases that have occurred to date. It is important to remember that since recovered probable cases were not lab-confirmed, it is unlikely that all illness was COVID-19, and this number must be interpreted with caution.

The dashboard, along with other information about COVID-19, is available on the HPEPH website. Any residents who still have questions or concerns after reviewing the website are invited to contact the HPEPH COVID-19 information line at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803. 

The information line is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and weekends 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices.

To visit the HPEPH website please visit hpepublichealth.ca/the-novel-coronavirus-2019ncov/ or you can also find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

To visit the HPEPH online dashboard for local cases of COVID-19 please visit hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-cases/

Visit Ontario’s website here covid-19.ontario.ca/ to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.