Chatham-Kent is set to pay up for some more help on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.
Chatham-Kent Council approved two recommendations on Monday night to help address ongoing needs that are a result of the pandemic.
As Chatham-Kent Public Health begins a gradual resumption of programs and services, administration recommended the immediate hiring of a program assistant, a public health inspector, and two public health nurses.
According to a report that went before council Monday night, the positions would help public health "return to normal business" while continuing to respond to the pandemic. Additional support is needed in several areas including helping businesses operate safely, returning to routine health and safety inspections, supporting ongoing mobile COVID-19 testing clinics, planning for a second wave of the pandemic, and supporting schools with reopening in the fall.
The four new positions will be temporary, lasting up to 12 months. CK Public Health will fund the positions with its current 2020 and 2021 budgets.
Recommendations to extend EMS service level adjustments were also approved.
Towards the beginning of the pandemic, a report came to council detailing the extensive demand, both clinically and logistically, that COVID-19 was having on paramedic services in Chatham-Kent.
“This pandemic has presented Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services with some unique and new challenges for clinical responses, safety preparation, logistical structure, and quality assurance," the report stated.
According to the report, the direct effects of the virus caused an overall need for an increased level of frontline support. Operational supervisors were transitioned from working as part of a two-member crew on an ambulance to working in an emergency response vehicle.
“The operational supervisors are available to respond to major incidents to provide scene oversight and available to provide medical response to low acuity patient calls and when ambulance availability is reduced,” stated the report. “The operational supervisor would also be available to perform administrative and supportive duties increased from COVID-19.”
As a result, a service level adjustment was implemented that was estimated to cost $40,000 a month.
An extension of the increased service level was requested on Monday in order to allow EMS services to continue working with four operational supervisors in support vehicles to provide supporting clinical care and paramedic operations in Chatham-Kent.
The time frame of the service level adjustment is for an additional month with the ability to request an additional extension based on the state of the pandemic.
Additional impacts that COVID-19 will have on Chatham-Kent are being tracked and will be reported to council in the future for funding options.