Tag Archives: Medical Officer of Health

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COVID-19 UPDATE FROM MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH – Dr Stewart

The Medical Officer of Health for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark sends out regular updates to the Mayors.  With her permission, I have reprinted this week’s as it contains important information that you may find useful.

  1. Current Situation – We have had a very low number of people living in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark  who have become infected with COVID-19 for June, July and August, none in the past 5 weeks.  This is a direct result of people, businesses and services  following the public health precautions that can prevent the transmission of  COVID-19. The municipalities have played a key role is supporting these measures. Thank you.

It is important not to be complacent. People are still being infected in Ottawa and other parts of Ontario and Canada where we may visit. Also  the virus may still be in our community, either, with individuals who are asymptomatic,  or individuals who have very mild symptoms and have decided not to go for testing.  We are strongly encouraging any one with one of the many possible COVID-19 symptoms) https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/  to go for testing at one of the Assessment Centres in Brockville, Smiths Falls  or Almonte.

Preventing COVID-19 infection in the broader community is key to keeping schools safer.  It is very important for everyone to continue to be COVID SMART.

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

M – Wear a mask/cloth face covering  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 you do not live with and people not in your social circle.

T – Take time for regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

  1. Face Covering Mask Instruction – Operators and the community have responded very well to the Medical Officer of Health Instruction on Face Coverings/Mask Use in enclosed public spaces. Initially we had  many people call about the exemptions and whether they needed a doctors/or an exemption card. The answer was no, and our impression is that people who have a medical reason to not wear a face covering/mask are visiting stores at non-peak times or using curb pick up or delivery to protect others.  Later on we received complaints from people that a business wasn’t complying with the Instruction. Each one was contacted and the Instruction clarified.  The community is now familiar with the required face covering/mask Instruction, and this will help as students have to wear face covering/masks in school from grade 4 and  up (also recommend for younger students.)
  2. Community Paramedic Mobile Testing – The work on the Paramedic Mobile Community  Testing Program is progressing well. The Lanark proposal was submitted to East Region Ontario Health for funding last week, and the Leeds-Grenville one will be submitted this week.  Our proposals fit with the Ontario  Health plan for the fall and winter to have both mobile community testing and Assessment Centres, that can assess people with any respiratory illness including influenza, parainfluenza, and RSV – all serious infections that occur each fall and winter. If funded, the mobile testing program will be able to quickly respond to the testing needed in response to an individual with COVID-19 in a school setting.
  3. Influenza Immunization– We are working with our partners on influenza immunization plans for  the fall. The vaccine usually arrives in October.  Influenza vaccine provides good protection against infection, particularly important for anyone with a chronic illness.
  4. School Opening – As the new school year approaches, parents will need to balance various options and make a decision about schooling that makes sense for each family. The Health Unit has collaborated with the Eastern Health Unit (we share Boards of Education) to send a letter to all parents to help them make this decision. I would appreciate if you can share the link to this letter with the parents and others  in your municipalities   https://healthunit.org/wp-content/uploads/Letter_to_Parents_COVID_Schools.pdf

The letter includes a link to the recent European review that suggests the risk of transmission of the virus is low in school settings that have precautions in place. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/children-and-school-settings-covid-19-transmission.  The report also has  a link to the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto that outlines the lower risk of serious COVID-19 infection among children, and their recommendations for safer opening of schools that the province referenced in their release of the Ministry of Education Guidelines for Schools   https://www.sickkids.ca/PDFs/About-SickKids/81407-COVID19-Recommendations-for-School-Reopening-SickKids.pdf

  1. Stage 3 Openings – Work continues with our many services and businesses to adapt to the provincial Stage 3 Guidelines. We respond to about 50 calls each day for assistance. Our municipalities have been great partners as we navigate these new waters together.

 

Paula Stewart MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

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Masks Mandatory inside enclosed public spaces as of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 12:01am

Local health units announce regional approach to mandatory masks

July 6, 2020

Today Medical Officers of Health from Eastern Ontario Health Unit; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Renfrew County and District Health and Ottawa Public Health announced a regional approach to the use of face coverings/masks in enclosed public places within their respective jurisdictions.

Each public health unit will be issuing an Instruction under the province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Stage 2 which states that the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, this Instruction will require businesses to adopt a policy to ensure facial coverings/masks are worn inside enclosed public spaces/settings that are openly accessible to the public. The Instruction comes into effect as of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 12:01am and will be reviewed on September 30, 2020. The LGLDHU, to support implementation of this Instruction, will provide information and consultation to operators of enclosed indoor spaces. This directive is to be primarily used to educate people on facial covering/mask use in enclosed public spaces where 2-metre physical distancing cannot always be maintained.

As the province continues to reopen, there are increased opportunities for people to have close contact with others in enclosed public spaces. This could lead to an increased risk of potential spread of COVID-19, especially indoors or confined spaces where there is minimal airflow, higher concentrations of people, and an increased chance of sharing high-touch surfaces.

Evidence shows that wearing a mask or face covering, such as a bandana, scarf or cloth that covers the mouth and nose, can help contain the spread of COVID-19 when used in combination with staying home when ill, frequent handwashing and practicing physical distancing. Facial coverings/masks that cover your mouth, nose, and chin help to prevent respiratory droplets from your mouth and nose from reaching others or landing on surfaces.

“We have learned over the course of this pandemic that we have to get ahead of the COVID19 virus – it is very infections and can spread easily among people with close contact in enclosed spaces. Most people do not have immunity to COVID-19 and some people may experience no symptoms but still be able to spread the virus,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “We have been recommending the use of face coverings/masks in enclosed indoor spaces for many weeks. With the increase in opportunities for people to be indoors in public spaces with others, now this is the time to add facial covering/mask use to the existing requirements for operators of indoor public spaces. Each person wearing a facial covering/mask says I am protecting you. We all need to reciprocate this behaviour – it is social responsibility.”

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 4, 2020

Outbreak declared in Van Horne and Willowdale Retirement Residences in Smiths Falls

The Health Unit is working with both Van Horne and Willowdale Retirement Residences in Smiths Falls 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 home under self-isolation and staff at both sites been instructed to report any symptoms to public health immediately.

“The safety and security of our staff and residents in these sites are a primary concern for us as is minimizing the risk of transmission,” says Sharon Ranalli, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Chartwell Retirement Residences. “We remain vigilant in our efforts to manage this outbreak and thank our staff, residents and family members for their compliance and support of our efforts. We continue to follow heightened COVID-19 infection control and screening protocols and all recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit.”

“The number of outbreaks in the last week in long-term care homes and retirement homes in the area serves as a reminder that we all need to follow the recommended actions to decrease the risk of spread of COVID-19 in the community;” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health, “this incudes staying at home as much as possible keeping a distance of 2m or 6ft away from other people.”

The best way to get reliable information about COVID-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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MEDIA RELEASE: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

April 3, 2020

Outbreak found in Lanark Lifestyles in Perth, Ontario

The Health Unit is working with Lanark Lifestyles in Perth 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.  Dr. Neel Chadha of Lanark Lifestyles reports no residents and no other staff are ill at this time. The staff member is home under self-isolation and all staff have been instructed to report any symptoms to public health immediately.

“The number of outbreaks in the last week in long-term care homes and retirement homes in the area serves as a reminder that we all need to follow the recommended actions to decrease the risk of spread of COVID-19 in the community, says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “This incudes 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.”

The best way to get reliable information about COVID-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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Update on Water Pipe Leak in Village

The service providers are on Rideau St working on the repair to the water pipe.  As you may have learned by now, when the pipe burst today, the water came out with such a force that the water tower emptied before the broken pipe could be isolated.  When that occurs, the Medical Officer of Health issues a 48 hour boil water advisory.  Please heed the MOH’s advice.  Each resident should have been visited by a fire fighter or a member of Council tonight and received a copy of the boil water order.

Most of the Village has water again, however those south of Rideau, are waiting for the  broken pipe to be repaired.

It has been a long day and I want to recognize the efforts of the many service providers  – Charby Jackson, Ontario Clean Water Agency, Tackaberry and Westport Telephone Company – who have worked together to resolve this issue.

Specifically, I want to thank Chief Jay DeBernadi and the many Westport Fire Fighters who responded to my request to assist with the door to door canvas, notifying everyone in the Village of the boil water order from MOH.  I was so pleased to find so many of you at the Fire Hall for the 6:00 p.m. briefing.

I also want to express my appreciation to Councillors Huth, Parliament and Schwinghamer who came to the briefing and took their fair share of streets to canvas.  Together we are always stronger.

We all be waiting for the repair to be completed (some more than others!) on Rideau St.

Please call the councillor of your choice or me if you have any questions.

Mayor Robin Jones