Tag Archives: Dr Paula Stewart

Uncategorized

Health Unit Issues Class Order to Contain Community Outbreak in East Lanark County

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

March 6, 2021

In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in east Lanark County, Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health at the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit has issued a Class Order pursuant to Section 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990. 

“The purpose of this Class Order is to help contain the community outbreak of COVID-19 that is occurring in the eastern portion of Lanark County,” explains Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “Everything that each and every one of us does makes a difference in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in households and the community. This Class Order will reduce opportunities for people to gather and have close unprotected contact with others outside their household in public and private facilities.”

This class order effective from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2021 until rescinded by the Health Unit is issued to owners and operators of public and private facilities that operate in the Municipalities of Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and Beckwith where the public may gather, including but not limited to: indoor sports venues, places of worship, banquet halls, wedding venues, dining and drinking establishments, clubs and or organizations that may have meeting facilities that can be rented to the public.

In accordance with this order: 

·         Sports facilities must close and cease operations, including curling rinks, privately owned arenas, and indoor sports venues that offer facilities for sports such as soccer, lacrosse, tennis, squash, pickle ball, etc.

·         Facilities operated by clubs and organizations must cease rentals for private social gatherings.

·         Places of Worship may operate in accordance with the requirements of 364/20 with additional restrictions related  to social events in their meeting spaces.

·         Banquet halls and wedding venues may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20, and only events that are hosted, organized, and managed by the venue are permitted, with additional restrictions.

·         Dining and Drinking Establishments may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20 with additional restrictions,  including that patrons/guests seated at a table must be part of their own household, requirements for logs to record contact information, and requirements for personal protective equipment for employees.

Any failure to comply with this Class Order can result in fines of up to $5000 for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues.

The Class Order is posted on the Health Unit website, https://healthunit.org/coronavirus/ along with the most up to date information on COVID-19. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @LGLHealthunit for information.

Uncategorized

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Region Moved to Yellow – Protect Level

MEDIA RELEASE – Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

December 11, 2020

Today the government of Ontario announced that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region will move from the Green–Prevent level to the Yellow – Protect level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework. The sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in LGL over the past two weeks means that the region meets the criteria for the Yellow – Protect level, with a weekly incidence rate between 10 and 24.9 cases per 100,000.

The move to the Yellow – Protect level means that strengthened public health measures will come into effect in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark on Monday, December 14, at 12:01 a.m. The additional measures include limited hours of operations for certain settings, limits on the hours for sale food and beverage establishments, limits on the number of individuals permitted in certain settings, and formalized Workplace Safety Plans for many businesses and organizations. Full details of the limitations and restrictions for the Yellow – Protect Level can be found on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/ .

Businesses in the affected sectors will be contacted directly; restaurants, fitness facilities and retail outlets are encouraged to check their email for important information from the Health Unit and contact protection@healthunit.org if they have questions.

“The move from Green-Prevent to the Yellow – Protect level in our region over the past two weeks highlights how quickly COVID-19 can spread when precautions aren’t in place,” comments Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “Our staff are working diligently to follow-up and isolate all people with COVID-19 and their high risk contacts to prevent transmission in our community.  We are relying on the residents, businesses, services and workplaces in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark to follow precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their settings. It is in our hands to protect our communities, and prevent further restrictions at levels beyond yellow.”

Staying home and apart as much as we can is the most important thing we can do. Being safe and protecting yourself means you are protecting your family, friends and co-workers.

S – Self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Consider getting tested

M – Mask/face covering on properly when in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge outdoors.

A – Avoid touching your face.

R – Remain 2 metres/6 feet apart from people not part of your household – avoid play dates, and other close social contact. Social circles beyond the household are no long encouraged.

T – Twenty (20) seconds for regular hand hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

The Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework 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.

For more information about COVID-19, visit: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/  or call 1-800-660-5853.

Uncategorized

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 21, 2020

The Community Emergency Control Group met this afternoon to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in Westport. The meeting included a briefing from Dr Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit.

This outbreak of COVID-19 requires measures to contain community spread and mitigate its impact on the community.  One of the strategies is to reduce opportunities for people to gather.  With this in mind, the CECG recommended that all municipal buildings in the Village be closed until December 21, 2020. I have issued an Emergency Order to that effect. The municipal buildings closed are Town Hall, library and community centre/arena.

Individuals also have an important job in containing the virus. Everyone needs to follow the basic public health measures including, continue to stay home when possible and wear a mask/face covering when out in public, practise physical distancing of 2 metres and wash your hands frequently.

Westport is a community of people related by kin and friendship who have worked together in the past to achieve our goals. There is no doubt that our common goal is clear – control the spread of the virus. We are stronger together – each of us performing our role to the best of our ability.  This is a point in time when we need to believe in our strengths, support each other and remember to be kind. 

Uncategorized

COVID-19 Outbreak declared in St. Lawrence Lodge in Brockville

MEDIA RELEASE: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

October 26, 2020

The Health Unit is working with St. Lawrence Lodge in Brockville to manage a COVID-19 outbreak. One staff member has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Infection control measures under the Long-Term Care Home Act have been put in place to manage the outbreak and are being monitored by the Health Unit.  The staff member is at home self-isolating and following the direction of public health and ministry requirements. 

St. Lawrence Lodge provided this statement: “At St. Lawrence Lodge, our primary focus is the health and safety of our residents and staff. Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, our management team has been monitoring the situation and updating our actions accordingly. Residents of long-term care homes have been identified as a vulnerable group and our focus has been on keeping our residents safe while providing high quality, resident-centered care.”

“Along with the increase in local cases of COVID-19, this outbreak serves as a reminder to the community to continue to be COVID-SMART,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage everyone to self-isolate if you have COVID-19 symptoms and get tested, wear a mask or face covering when you cannot maintain a distance of 2 metres from others, and to practice regular hand hygiene.”

The best way to get reliable information about COVID-19 is by visiting https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 from 8:30 to 4:30 every day. You can also get important public health updates by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. Information about local COVID-19 assessment centres is available by visiting https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/assessment-testing-results/

-30-

Uncategorized

covid-19 Outbreak declared in Chartwell Wedgewood Retirement Residence in Brockville

Media Release – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

October 23, 2020

The Health Unit is working with Chartwell Wedgewood Retirement Residence to manage a COVID-19 outbreak. One resident has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The resident has been isolated in their room and all infection management protocols are in place to prevent the spread of this, or any other infection to others. 

“We are working in close partnership with our local public health unit and medical director to ensure every possible step is taken to protect our residents and staff,” says Julianne Swindells, General Manager for Chartwell Wedgewood Retirement Residence. “We have been, and continue to, follow all public health and provincial directives to protect our residents and staff.  The health and safety of our residents and staff is our highest priority. ”

“Along with the increase in local cases of COVID-19, this outbreak serves as a reminder to the community to continue to be COVID-SMART,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage everyone to self-isolate if you have COVID-19 symptoms and get tested, wear a mask or face covering when you cannot maintain a distance of 2 metres from others, and to practice regular hand hygiene.”

The best way to get reliable information about COVID-19 is by visiting https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 from 8:30am to 4:30pm every day. You can also get important public health updates by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. Information about local COVID-19 assessment centres is available by visiting https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/assessment-testing-results/

-30-