Nasal swabs in test tubes. File photo courtesy of  © Can Stock Photo / ayo88.Nasal swabs in test tubes. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / ayo88.
Chatham

Active COVID-19 cases take a tumble

The number of active cases of COVID-19 has dropped below 100 in Chatham-Kent for the first time since New Year's Eve.

On Wednesday, Chatham-Kent Public Health reported there are currently 91 active cases in the community, a reduction of 12. Health officials reported 11 new cases and 23 resolved cases. They reported the number of workplace outbreaks also dropped by three to six. The total number of outbreaks in CK is now down to nine, including one at Fairfield Park nursing home in Wallaceburg and two at unnamed congregate living settings. CK Public Health has reported 21 workplace outbreaks during the pandemic, which is almost double all other outbreaks combined.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby told the Board of Health on Wednesday that people going to work while sick has been a "major problem" in managing workplace outbreaks across the region. His comments followed a unanimous vote by board members to support paid sick days in Ontario. Colby said he already has the power to punish and fine people who don't stay at home when they're ill under Ontario law and would welcome a different approach to what he calls "a significant problem," such as paid sick days to make it easier for people to follow orders to isolate at home.

"I don't have any kind of carrot approach for controlling this. I only have a stick approach and that is the Section 22 order under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotions Act which is associated with a fine of $5,000 a day and I'm not sure how meaningful such a fine is," the doctor said.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has repeatedly asked Premier Doug Ford to legislate guaranteed paid sick days to protect workers and save lives. She said frontline essential workers, including many health care workers, are among the many workers who don’t have paid sick days and don't have a choice to stay home. Ford has fired back by blaming Horwath of misinforming people by wrongly claiming that Ontarians do not have access to paid sick leave benefits. He said only 27 per cent of the $1 billion Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit program has been accessed since its launch.

Meanwhile, a local working group is developing a comprehensive distribution plan for the vaccine in Chatham-Kent. This group is chaired by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Chatham-Kent Public Health, and will be spearheaded by Bob Crawford, the former General Manager and Fire Chief for the municipality. The group will consider several factors in the rollout such as selecting a desirable site where the vaccines can be given, security, storage requirements, stakeholder involvement, and adherence to provincial guidelines.

Director of Public Health Teresa Bendo stated in her report to the Board of Health that multiple scenarios and plans are required due to the complexity of needs associated with different vaccines, and to ensure a safe, fair, and quick distribution of the shots.

Dr. Colby has said Chatham-Kent is set to receive vaccines by the end of the month and he has asked the province for 5,000 to kickoff Phase 1 of the rollout. He also emphasizes the vaccines are safe, no corners were cut in their development to arrive at this stage so quickly and Chatham-Kent is ready to receive them.

Bendo said the CK Public Health vaccine web page is being built and should have all of the necessary information soon. Dr. Colby said the provincial government's goal is to have all residents and staff of long-term care homes vaccinated by February 15, 2021. Bendo said the first to receive the vaccine in Chatham-Kent will include health care workers; residents, staff, essential caregivers and other employees of congregate living settings; as well as adults in Indigenous communities; and adults receiving chronic home health care. Colby said Phase 1 is for those in long-term care homes and hospitals.

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