COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus)

COVID-19 UPDATES
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Current Situation

Page Updated: March 31, 2020 at 10:50 a.m.

Lambton Public Health (LPH) continues to actively monitor this developing situation, in collaboration with national and provincial health agencies, as well as local stakeholders, including hospitals and community agencies.

With positive COVID-19 cases confirmed in Lambton County we are actively in the process of following up with close contacts of cases. The investigations are ongoing. Specific details about each individual case will not be provided. Close contacts will be notified and directed to self-isolate immediately.

We have learned some information during the course of the investigation that is important to share with the community. At this time, some of the cases are linked to group travel to Europe, others are linked to family and faith community gatherings, and to a limited number of occupational settings. We are working to establish links between these groupings of exposure. Many of the contacts are providing reassuring histories of self-isolation, but we also know that people have wide social networks that have been enabling transmission.

Lambton Public Health continues to recommend that all residents of Lambton County practice social and physical distancing to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a statement to Ontarians recommending that individuals over 70 years of age self-isolate, and urging all Ontarians to continue adhering to physical distancing and to remain at home. Local testing continues daily based on the prioritization of those at highest risk. Additional lab capacity is being addressed by the province as new options for testing are also confirmed.

Number of cases, deaths and outbreaks in Lambton

Last Updated: March 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
(Updated daily)

Confirmed COVID-19 cases39
Deaths among COVID-19 cases4
COVID-19 outbreaks in institutions1

Overall percentage of cases in Lambton by Gender

Last Updated: March 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
(Updated daily Monday to Friday)

GenderPercentage
Male63%
Female38%

Overall percentage of cases in Lambton by age

Last Updated: March 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
(Updated daily Monday to Friday)

Age GroupPercentage
<300%
30-39 years
3%
40-49 years3%
50-59 years3%
60-69 years22%
70-79 years22%
80+ years47%

For the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario, visit the Province of Ontario’s website.

Most Recent Updates

Topics:

Who should self-isolate at home?

Who should be tested?

When should I call Lambton Public Health?

Updates

How to protect yourself

When to see a health-care provider

Resources

Who should self-isolate at home?

1. All travellers returning to Canada

On March 25, the Government of Canada enacted emergency measures that require mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all persons entering Canada, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Some provinces and territories may have specific recommendations for certain groups, such as health-care workers and for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people.

Mandatory self-isolation means you must:

  • Go directly to the place where you will isolate, without delay, and stay there for 14 days.
  • Go to your place of isolation using private transportation only, such as your personal vehicle.
  • Stay INSIDE your home.
  • Not leave your place of isolation unless it’s to seek medical attention.
  • Do not go to school, work, other public areas or use public transportation (e.g. buses, taxis).
  • Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
  • Not have visitors and limit contact with others in the place of isolation, including children.

Not isolate in a place where you will have contact with vulnerable people such as older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions.

For more details, see Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice from the Government of Canada.

2) Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms

(Updated guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health on March 25, 2020)

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate at home and avoid contact with other people for 14 days following the start of symptoms. After 14 days, self-isolation may end so long as there is no fever and symptoms are improving.

Symptoms range from mild (common respiratory infections) to severe. The most common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing (e.g. struggling for each breath, cannot hold breath for more than 10 seconds)

Anyone with severe respiratory illness, or a medical emergency should call 911 immediately. Advise them of your symptoms and any travel history.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.

3) Close contacts of a person diagnosed with COVID-19

Close contacts of people diagnosed with COVID-19 will be contacted by their local public health unit.

Learn more about how to self-isolate.

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

The guidance for testing no longer considers country of travel; instead it focuses on prioritization of those at highest risk.

  • COVID-19 testing is only available under limited circumstances, due to limited supply of tests. Testing will be prioritized based on critical illness and business continuity needs for essential service providers.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.

Please consider the severity of symptoms and follow these recommendations:

  • If you develop mild symptoms such as a fever or cough, move to self-isolation at home and rest.
  • If your symptoms become more severe and you need to seek medical attention call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or your health care provider for assessment. You can also call Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331.
  • For extremely severe symptoms call 911 or visit the emergency department.

When should I call Lambton Public Health?

We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls.

Please ensure you have read this message fully to clarify how to get the answer to your question as quickly as possible.

Our current priority:

  • Individuals recently informed by Lambton Public Health of the possible contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19. Please self-isolate immediately and return the call to Lambton Public Health.
  • Health-care providers seeking or reporting information.
  • All travellers who have returned to Canada AND experiencing symptoms (fever, coughing or difficulty breathing).

NOTE: If you develop respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing please review the section about who should be tested for COVID-19. Supports are available to help you determine if you need to seek further care.

Updates

PHAC – Public Health Agency of Canada
MOH – Ontario Ministry of Health
GOC – Government of Canada
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

How to protect yourself

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre. 

There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses. Take these everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health:

  • wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • sneeze and cough into your sleeve
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • avoid contact with people who are sick
  • stay home if you are sick

Other recommendations to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus include:

  • Avoid all non-essential trips in your community.
  • Do not gather in groups
  • Limit contact with people at higher risk (older adults and those in poor health)
  • If you leave your home, always keep a distance of at least two metres from others.

When to see a health-care provider

If you develop mild symptoms such as a fever or cough move to self-isolation at home and rest. Access Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.

If your symptoms become more severe and you need to seek medical attention call your health-care provider for assessment, or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For extremely severe symptoms call 911 or visit the emergency department.

We are aware of the shortage of masks and other supplies in some health-care settings, and that may require your health-care provider to find alternate arrangements for your care.

Resources