The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit is encouraging area employers to put measures in place to help curb the spread of local cases.
Capacity limits were handed down by the province recently and those measures put limits on the number of people allowed at bars, restaurants, gyms, and retailers. To supplement the provincial announcement, the HKPR District Health Unit has sent a letter to local employers asking them to take additional steps within their businesses.
There have been well over 100 new cases confirmed within the Health Unit’s region recently, something that has the Medical Officer of Health concerned. “I am worried that we are already seeing a surge of cases in advance of the holiday season” says Dr. Natalie Bocking. “Our goal is to reduce the number of people working in close proximity to help halt any further spread. Broad measures are required as there is no one sector that is causing this sharp increase in local cases.”
Bocking has made a few requests to local businesses, including asking that all employees who can do so work remotely. The letter also recommends limiting interactions, actively screening staff who need to work onsite, ensuring social distancing and the use of tightly fitting masks.
“While these measures will not stop an upcoming omicron surge, the goal is to interrupt and slow down transmission of the virus as much as possible,” says Bocking. “We need to work together to prevent severe illness from COVID and protect our health care system from further strain.”