Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health is adding to Ontario's State of Emergency declared by Premier Doug Ford.
Dr. David Colby is directing people to do more across Chatham-Kent on top of the closures the premier announced Tuesday morning. He said residents are asked to avoid close contact with people outside of their immediate families, and those aged 70 years and older should self-isolate, only leaving their home for reasons that are absolutely essential. Other directions include self-isolation for those who have compromised immune systems, and using services over the phone or internet if possible.
"If you have traveled outside of Canada, including travel to the United States and you are not an essential healthcare worker or an essential service worker, you are to self isolate for 14 days following your arrival in Canada," said Colby.
He urges those who aren't sure whether they are essential workers to reach out to their employers to make sure before their next shift.
"All employers are strongly encouraged to make virtual work arrangements for their employees wherever possible," he added. "This will allow those employees the opportunity to limit their daily interactions, care for their children and self isolate."
Dr. Colby urges residents of Chatham-Kent to return home and begin self-isolating immediately if they begin to feel unwell at any time (fever, new cough or difficulty breathing).
"Those who are unwell and need to seek health assessment are asked to utilize the resources available to them," Colby said.
Those resources are listed below:
- - Self Assessment Tool available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
- - Telehealth Ontario at 1.866.797.0000 (available 24/7)
- - Contacting your healthcare provider to receive virtual assessment by phone or other technology. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call CK Public Health’s COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 X 1900
Dr. Colby also said testing criteria have changed multiple times over the last few days because there is a province wide shortage of testing capacity driving decisions. He said no asymptomatic people are being tested and shortages are being addressed.
"This is not optimal from an epidemiologic point of view," he said.
Colby added the health unit is helping with the screening of people who call but ultimately testing or not is up to the caregiver (doctor), who must follow provincial parameters.
"The Chatham-Kent Board of Health does not decide who gets tested and who does not," Colby said.
He also said there are people on self isolation waiting for test results.
So far Chatham-Kent has no positive COVID-19 cases.
Chatham-Kent has already closed the following:
- - All municipal pools, arenas, community centres and libraries and museums
- - All recreational programs, camps and activities
- - All schools and all licensed childcare facilities
- - All EarlyOn centres