Chatham-Kent’s General Manager of Community Human Services has a cautionary tale about children playing together now that public health officials are learning they’re not as immune to COVID-19 as first thought.
Dr. April Rietdyk is warning parents to be careful about who their children are playing with, adding they should avoid getting together in groups for at least the next three weeks.
Rietdyk said the health unit is getting calls about children playing in large groups in playgrounds and said those groups are not helping with social distancing to avoid further spread of COVID-19. Specifically, a call came in on Tuesday about a group of 25 children and parents playing at a park in Chatham-Kent.
"We want to have space between people... this is the reason why schools were closed," said Rietdyk. "If we cannot be two metres apart then we will have to look at altering what we're doing."
Rietdyk said we should only interact with our family members. Going for a walk or going out to the backyard are OK, but not having get-togethers or parties.
A study released on Monday revealed that most children can get mild COVID-19 symptoms but some can get severe Coronavirus cases.
Plans are underway to help vulnerable people during the pandemic, including the homeless and the details of those plans are expected to be released soon. Rietdyk also said no visitors will be allowed at long term care facilities unless loved ones are getting end of life care.
According to Rietdyk, the health unit has answered more than a thousand community calls about COVID-19 since the hotline went up over a week ago. She added only one of the callers was referred for testing because they met the criteria.
Anyone experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 is encouraged to call their primary care provider, the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 first before going to the assessment clinic that is now open on Emma Street in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire said some municipal staff are working from home to avoid getting infected or infecting someone else. Those at arenas (which are closed) are being redeployed to help at places such as long term care facilities.
Shropshire said essential services like water will continue to operate. He is encouraging everybody to help each other during this "rough patch."
The council meeting set for Monday evening is scheduled to go ahead as planned, but Shropshire is asking members of the public to watch online and not attend council chambers because events larger than 50 are banned right now.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said people are really stepping up to help and he wants residents to support local businesses by getting take-out or buying gift cards for when they re-open.