COVID-19 Information

This page will be updated with information as it develops. For the latest daily updates, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Think you might have COVID-19?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or if you are concerned that you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call the Haliburton Family Medical Centre at 705-457-1212 and press 6 to book an appointment in the Haliburton County COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
Provincial and Federal Coronavirus Information
We recommend using websites developed by the provincial and federal governments to get the latest updates and information on the COVID-19 pandemic. These pages will have news, safety measures, and details on assistance programs as they are announced.
Visit Canada's COVID-19 Website Visit Ontario's COVID-19 Website
Haliburton Cares
The team at Haliburton Highlands Health Services has launched a website called HaliburtonCares.ca which provides a number of resources including what to do if you experience COVID-19 symptoms and an overview of available community support throughout this crisis. There is also a form where you can share messages of support to our first responders.
Important News and Updates
Haliburton County COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre – Positivity Rate: January 13, 2021 |
This value represents what percentage of patients that are tested in our assessment centre that are positive in a designated two week period. We find this important to share to assure our community realizes that COVID-19 is very much in our community and adhering to public health measures is essential to prevent further spread and overwhelming our local health care systems. Our percent positivity rate in early October was 0.13% and in the last two week period our percent positivity rate is 4.6% This represents an 3,400% percentage increase. Please understand that this statistic will not represent all of the COVID-19 cases locally but only those that test positive in our local assessment centre. Some patients drive elsewhere or are tested in an Emergency room. We encourage your ongoing diligence in adhering to public health measures. By keeping case counts down we will save lives in our community. We will get through this. The vaccine will help immensely. Let's keep our community safe together! Dr. Judy Suke, Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team |
Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives |
In response to a doubling in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the real and looming threat of the collapse of the province's hospital system and alarming risks posed to long-term care homes as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).
For more information please visit the Ontario Newsroom website. |
Protecting the County of Haliburton |
As the number of active COVID-19 cases in Ontario continue to rise, everyone must exercise continued diligence to protect our community. The County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency. While official reports of active cases of COVID-19 within the County of Haliburton show relatively low numbers at this time, they are slowly on the rise. In addition to local cases reported by our health unit, there is a continued flow of people within the area, some of whom could be COVID-19 positive. Due to the fact that COVID-19 cases are attributed to the local health unit in which a person primarily resides, numbers being officially reported within our County may create a false sense of security. Please do your part to follow public health measures and provincial guidelines as we work together to stay safe & healthy. |
Ontario Releases COVID-19 Response Framework |
Today, the Provincial Government Released a COVID-19 Response Framework to Help 'Keep Ontario Safe and Open'. The framework takes a gradual approach that includes introducing preventative measures earlier to help avoid broader closures and allow for additional public health and workplace safety measures to be introduced or removed incrementally. It categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort. Each level outlines the types of public health and workplace safety measures for businesses and organizations. These include targeted measures for specific sectors, institutions and other settings. As of November 7, 2020 The County of Haliburton will be classified as "Green-Prevent" within the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. For more on what this means: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59051/ontario-releases-covid-19-response-framework-to-help-keep-the-province-safe-and-open |
County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency |
This is a reminder to residents that the County of Haliburton remains under a State of Emergency. We want to ensure that everyone, including our visitors, remains safe and we all take part in reducing the pandemic's impact overall. Please do your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 by regular hand washing, wearing a mask if you're able, respecting established social circles and maintaining physical distancing as required. The County, working closely with our Emergency Operations Control team, will continue to monitor the state of the pandemic and update the status of the Emergency Declaration accordingly. Meanwhile, keep safe and healthy, and we'll all get through this together. |
The County of Haliburton to Receive $1.435 Million under the Safe Restart Agreement |
The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is delivering on its commitment to provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario's 444 municipalities. Municipalities will be provided with up to $1.6 billion as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement. The County of Haliburton will receive $1,435,300 million from the first round. This funding will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, while continuing to deliver critical public services as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery. Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott (front) visited the County of Haliburton today to announce the funding and is pictured here with County Warden Liz Danielsen (top, centre) and County Councillors Brent Devolin and Andrea Roberts. |
Ontario Improving Broadband and Cell Service for Rural Communities |
TORONTO ― As Ontario safely and gradually begins to reopen, the provincial government is investing $150 million in reliable broadband and cellular service. This funding will help create even more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative called Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan. |
County of Haliburton COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre
The Haliburton County COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre is staffed by health care providers who will complete a phone assessment and advise as to appropriate next steps.
The County declared a state of Local Emergency on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c E.9 s.4 (1) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Offices open to the public
Please note as the County Administration building is now open to the public (Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30), we do request that visitors wear a mask for the safety of themselves and our staff. Thank you.
If you’re unable to wear a mask, please call our office to make alternative arrangements, we will do best to accommodate: 705-286-1333
Libraries begin to open
Our Administration Centre and branches remain CLOSED to the public.
As of September 8, 2020 we will be opening our Dysart, Minden, and Wilberforce branches to the public with limited services and hours. We will continue to offer curbside pickup at these locations by request. Our full list of hours and branches can be found at http://bit.ly/hcpl-hours.
Please continue to check HaliburtonLibrary.ca for updates to our hours, programming, and services.
County Emergency Control Group meeting regularly
The County's Emergency Control Group meets frequently to assess the situation, will continue to provide updates to the public and is in regular communication with local municipalities, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR), Public Health Ontario and local health care providers.
Municipal COVID-19 Information
We recommend checking your municipality's website to find out the latest safety measures they are taking as well as any local news and resources that are avaialble to you. Links to the four municipalities within Haliburton County are listed below.
Township of Algonquin Highlands
Algonquin Highlands is maintaining a frequently updated COVID-19 Pandemic Response page with public notices, media releases and other information pertaining to public safety.
Municipality of Dysart et al
Residents can read the latest COVID-19 Pandemic Updates for Dysart et al on the front page of the Dysart et al website.
Municipality of Highlands East
Highlands East is updating their 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information page daily with updates from local, provincial and federal sources. They also have a dedicated COVID-19 News Hub that can be subscribed to as related articles and notices are updated.
Township of Minden Hills
Minden Hills is keeping a dedicated COVID-19 Information page updated with media releases, helpful links and other local details for residents.