By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Director of Corporate Services Angela Vicker reported at the April Board of Health meeting that COVID-19 has not unduly strained the budget.
Whereas the health unit should be at a point right now where 25% of its budget has been spent, Vickery said, the figure stands at 26%.
“We had certain start-up costs relating to mass-immunization clinics and hiring lots of staff to support COVID programming in the month of March,” Vickery said.
They have submitted a request for Ministry funding to support additional costs associated with COVID, she continued, and they are still waiting to hear back on the $530,000 request.
“The Ministry has assured us they will cover COVID expenses, and has directed us to do what it takes to ensure the public is protected,” Vickery stated.