Hastings and Prince Edward Health officials have told local mayors that “there are more than 28 probable, but not yet confirmed cases, of COVID-19 in the Bay of Quinte Region”.

This is in addition to four people who have confirmed cases of the virus and are currently under quarantine at CFB Trenton, after returning from a cruise ship off the US coast last week.

The update was given to the mayors during a conference call on Sunday evening.

Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison tells Quinte News “all of the probable cases have been found in people who travelled abroad and all are in isolation”.

A release from Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson on Sunday says public health officials based the numbers “on symptoms and recent travel history”.

The Health Unit is putting out guidelines for people who have returned home from a trip abroad, with the response differing, depending on where you’ve travelled.

If you’ve been to Hubei Province in China, Italy or Iran, you should limit all activities, self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms, while also getting in touch with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (613-966-5500).

That also applies if you’ve had contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, if you’ve returned from travel anywhere outside Canada, the Health Unit says you should self-isolate, monitor for symptoms and contact the health unit as well.

In his release, Mayor Ferguson says the numbers reinforce “the importance of social distancing and frequent hand washing” and that “the time to act is now”.

You can read the full release from Mayor Ferguson by clicking here.

Many municipalities have restricted or cancelled upcoming events in the wake of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a novel coronavirus pandemic last week including Belleville, Quinte West, Stirling-Rawdon and Prince Edward County.

Meanwhile one person who contacted Quinte News anonymously and provided a doctor’s note from Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, says they have been deemed a probable case and contacted the health unit.

They say they were told “to just treat it like I’m positive and stay in quarantine for two weeks”, and that the health unit would “call every few days to check up”.

The Health Unit says “While several returning travellers in HPEPH have been advised to self-isolate as a proactive measure, there are currently no laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community.” and that the basic precautions against the virus should continue to be taken, like frequent hand washing, social distancing and monitoring for any symptoms.

You can click here to visit the HPE Public Health Coronovarius information page, or click here to visit the Provincial Ministry of Health COVID-19 information page.

Our newsroom is continuing to follow the local angles around the COVID-19 outbreak and you can get more information by clicking here to read our ongoing coverage.