The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKRPDHU) would like to strongly encourage residents to remain cautious and to continue to practice preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19 as the provincial mask mandate lifts on March 21, 2022.

With the majority of eligible residents in the region having already received their booster dose, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) will be closing its mass immunization clinics located at the Lindsay Exhibition (LEX) on February 25 and at the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) on February 26.

Even as more provincial COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in coming days, residents are being asked to keep up the “tried-and-true prevention efforts” that continue to work. As of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, the Ontario government is increasing the size of social gatherings and easing capacity limits in most businesses.

Walk-ins for getting COVID-19 vaccines are now open to anyone age five years and older who is eligible for a first, second or booster dose. Effective immediately, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is providing walk-in times from 1-4:30 pm at any of its Mass Immunization Clinics in Cobourg, Lindsay, Colborne, Minden, Fenelon Falls, Brighton and Campbellford for everyone age 5+ who is now eligible for vaccines.

If you still need a COVID-19 vaccine, there are more places and spaces to get your dose of protection in coming days. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is promoting the continued availability of first, second or third doses of COVID-19 vaccine at its mass immunization clinics.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has been notified that initial screening of a local resident who has COVID has shown the person has the markers consistent with the Omicron variant.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit says that a recent increase in cases has stretched the capacity of the health unit staff, and the organization has had to change some process to balance the work involved with new cases while continuing to offer mass immunization clinics in the communities.

If you plan to host a holiday party or get-together, don’t invite COVID-19 over for the festivities. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, and the arrival of the new, more transmissible Omicron variant in Ontario, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is promoting “small”, “safe” and “smart” as the key buzzwords for this year’s holiday season.

While COVID-19 may be top of mind for many, residents are being encouraged to get vaccinated against another seasonal illness that will soon be here.

If you have a second dose appointment scheduled after August 3, the local Health Unit is asking you to immediately rebook sooner or ‘walk in’ for your COVID-19 vaccine.

The local Health Unit is working to immediately address a privacy breach involving a mass email sent to approximately 500 clients in its region.

Getting a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is now easier than ever.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) is inviting anyone 12 years of age and older to visit any of its mass immunization clinics in Cobourg, Fenelon Falls or Minden for a first OR second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. No appointments are necessary – walk-ins are welcome!

Area residents can now add their names to a standby list for COVID-19 vaccine doses that may be available at the end of one of the local health unit’s immunization clinics.

Starting Monday, June 28, residents of Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes can visit the website of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit to register to potentially receive a vaccination at the end of a clinic day.