Tag Archives: Dr Paula Stewart

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Update – Live music on Food Premises Operating Patios

For those who have questions regarding musicians performing in hospitality sector outdoor patios, I provide the following information.  The wording in the Regulation is as #1 below – No dancing or singing may be permitted in the outdoor dining area (patio).  

Earlier this week when I was made aware of this issue, I contacted Dr Paula Stewart, MOH for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark and requested if the Health Unit would consider providing guidelines so that singing could occur safely for the musician, staff and customers.  The next morning. I was pleased to hear from Dr Stewart that the below guidelines had been approved.

Westport needs to give a shout out to Dr Stewart and all of the staff at the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit as this is another occasion when, on behalf of the residents of the Village, I have contacted her or one of her staff  for direction or a decision during the pandemic.   Their responses have been quick and thorough.  Thank you Paula and your staff!

Dancing and Singing 

  1. No dancing or singing may be permitted in the outdoor dining area (patio).
  2. Instrumental music is allowed in the dining area as long as the musician is at least 2m/6ft away from another person, and people other than the musician do not play the instrument.
  3. For singing musicians, they must be 12 ft away from the dining area or behind plexi-glass, and no other people can be in the same area as the musician.
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Province Encourages “Social Circles”

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

June 12, 2020

The Province has announced that as of today, people of Ontario can expand their household “bubbles” and establish a “social circle” of no more than 10 people. These 10 people can come into close contact with each other without having to practice physical distancing measures. It’s a chance to reconnect with loved ones; something many of us have been craving.

“Social circles will support the mental health and well-being of people in our communities and help reduce social isolation,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “However, it is important that we make a contract to only be in close contact with those in our circle to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.” Restricting close contact to one circle of 10 people will help keep the number of contacts low in the event a member of the “circle” becomes infected with COVID-19. If anyone in the social circle develops COVID-19 all members of the social circle will be required to self-isolate and get tested.

To form a safe social circle these steps should be followed:

  • Start with the people you live with or who regularly come into your household. Large households may not be able to add additional people to their circle, as it would exceed ten people.
  • If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including another household, family members or friends.
  • Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle and no other one.
  • Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle.
  • Be true to your social circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.

Find out more from the Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/create-social-circle-during-covid-19?_ga=2.171083104.1307259032.1591985207-1302784084.1591985207

It is important to clarify that these “social circles” are different than social gatherings. Visits with non-circle people would be considered a social gathering and must use the same rules as before including being outside, keeping a physical distancing of at least 2m/6ft, staying home if sick, practicing good hand hygiene, covering your cough or sneeze, and cleaning & disinfecting commonly touched surfaces.

The Health Unit has staff answering COVID-19 related questions and concerns for the public from 8:30am to 4:30pm every day at 1-800-660-5853 extension 2499. Public Health Inspectors are also available to discuss environmental health concerns. You can also get more information about COVID-19 by visiting www.healthunit.org/coronavirus or by connecting with LGLHealthUnit on Facebook and Twitter.

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MEDIA RELEASE – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

April 11, 2020

Take-Out Food Safety during COVID-19

Many people are taking advantage of the decision by restaurants to offer take-out meals. Public Health Inspectors with the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit have worked with each restaurant to ensure they adhere to safe food handling practices. The Public Health Inspectors have also suggested ways to minimize the contact with the public as people pick up their food – keeping the duration of contact to a minimum, maintaining a distance of 6 feet, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer between exchanges of food with the public. People who pick up food should wash their hands before they eat the food.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “there is currently no evidence to suggest that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus and there are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 transmission through food. People are unlikely to be infected with the virus through food.” https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html?topic=tilelink

If an employee of a restaurant has lab confirmed COVID-19, then the Health Unit will follow up to assess whether the public was at risk from contact with this individual.

The Health Unit has staff answering COVID-19 related questions and concerns for the public from 8:30 to 4:30 every day at 1-800-660-5853 x2499. Public health inspectors are also available to discuss environmental health concerns.  You can also get more information about COVID-19 by visiting www.healthunit.org/coronavirus or by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.

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MEDIA RELEASE FROM LEEDS, GRENVILLE & LANARK HEALTH UNIT

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

March 29, 2020

Outbreak found in Almonte Country Haven

The Health Unit is overseeing the management by Almonte Country Haven of a COVID-19 outbreak in the long term care home – 3 residents and 1 staff member have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Infection control measures have been put in place to manage the outbreak and are being monitored by the Health Unit. All staff have been instructed to wear Personal Protective Equipment at all times and to self-monitor for symptoms, and to self-isolate at home when not working.

Over the last few days, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has received confirmation of 15 cases of COVID-19 as of March 29 at noon – 3 long term care residents, 1 long term care staff member, 8 isolating at home and 3 in hospital. The increase in cases is not surprising for several reasons. The risk is higher in the United States now and more people returning are testing positive. The Assessment Centres are increasing access to both assessment and testing, and hospital labs in Ottawa and Kingston are now able to process the tests of people in our area with results back in one to two days.

“The increase in the number of people in our community who have tested positive for COVID-19 reinforces the importance of people staying at home as much as possible, and staying 6 feet, or two arms lengths away, from others when in public places to reduce the spread of COVID-19.” recommends Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. In addition, staying home when sick, coughing in to your sleeve, washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces will reduce the risk of people becoming ill.

A quarantine of 14 days is now mandatory for all Canadians returning from travel outside of the country. Returning travellers must go straight home upon their return to the country, and rely on help from family, friends, their municipality and local agencies for anything they need.

The provincial government has now directed all food premises to close to the public unless they can arrange for take-out services, all non-essential businesses and personal services settings are closed to the public as well to reduce physical distance between people.

The best way to get reliable information about COIVD-19 is by visiting www.healthunit.org. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 x 2499 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 respiratory symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who does, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool for their recommendations. If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider.

Visit Ontario’s website, www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

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For media interviews, contact: Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator, 613-802-0550 orsusan.healey@healthunit.org

 

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Time to pause to say thanks

It has been a little over two weeks since the community began to pull together, putting strategies in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.  I am aware of the cooperation taking place to keep everyone in the Village safe as well as the “out of the box” thinking underway to meet these new challenges.   You make the Village safer and me very proud to be your Mayor.

We have seen extraordinary leadership from Tracey, Neil & Martha and Paul.  Early decisions were made by many businesses to prevent the spread of the virus – either by early closures or restricted access.

Essential services are keeping us provisioned and we are thankful to – Les, Paul&Marcia, Guy&Cathy,  Canada Post staff, Morgan, Frank & Steve, John&Cynthia, Steve, Tara&John, Doug&Susan, $store.  The LCBO keeps us stocked. CRCHC takes care of our medical needs and Paul, Anne-Marie, Peter, Jamie and Brandon are keeping the lights on at Town Hall.

I also want to bring to your attention the support of three people that you might not be aware of.  Our Medical Officer of Health, Dr Paula Stewart, has answered each one of my many emails seeking answers to your questions. There are many municipalities in the tri-county area covered by the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit. And yet she provides the information we need, often in the evening, telling me she is working long hours.  Thank you Dr Stewart.

Our MP, Michael Barrett reached out to me in early days and offered his support.  I have had to contact Michael several times and his responses have been prompt, accurate and complete.  Great working with you MP Barrett.

Finally, our MPP, Minister Steve Clark has been a workhorse.  With his dual roles – as our MPP AND as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Minister Clark and his staff have been incredibly supportive and helpful.  All calls are returned quickly with the information we need to continue our planning in the Village.  And to receive a phone call from Steve in the middle of busy days for both of us – just to check in – well, I think that says it all.  You are doing a great job, MPP Clark.

Despite the hard work to date, everyone needs to continue to keep our safety net around the Village and not drop our guard.  COVID-19 is spreading around us and we need remain vigilant.

On behalf of Jacky, Barry, Rob and Melissa, thank you everyone – for all that you do.

Call anytime – 273-9195