press release

Lambton Public Health Looking for Members of the Public Who Used Taxi Service in April

Point Edward, ON – After learning that a local taxi driver has tested positive for COVID-19, Lambton Public Health is putting out a call to members of the public asking anyone who used the service to call into the health department.

Anyone who used Greg’s Taxi service on April 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10 is urged to contact Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331 so that public health officials can investigate the level of risk for each interaction and offer guidance to members of the public.

The health department is taking steps to work with the company to collect information about its passengers’ trips for the days in question, but not all contact information is available.

“It is difficult to trace this person’s close contacts because of the nature of the taxi-cab industry, and we know that this taxi driver would have been in a confined space with members of the public while operating the taxi,” said Dr. Ranade, Medical Officer of Health, County of Lambton.  “These reasons make it imperative that we release these details to the public so that we can speak with anyone who used this service and give them the best guidance possible.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild – like the flu and other common respiratory infections – to severe. The most common symptoms include: fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and runny nose. Find more details at LambtonPublicHealth.ca.

At any time, 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 the Ontario Self-Assessment Tool or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 to see if you need to seek further care.

If you are in distress (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to an Assessment Centre. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Residents can reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by:

  • Staying home if you are sick.
  • Avoiding non-essential trips and interactions in the community.
  • Frequently practicing good personal hygiene – wash your hands, cover your cough and sneeze, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands. Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch.
  • Limiting the number of people you come into close contact with.

Essential Workplaces and Businesses can reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by:

  • Implementing screening processes for all people entering your place of business. 
  • Implementing social (physical) distancing practices to create two-metre spacing between employees / public at all times.
  • Implementing strict hygiene practices. 

LambtonPublicHealth.ca provides local situation updates related to COVID-19 cases and testing, and resources to help individuals stay safe. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

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Please contact:

Lambton Public Health
519-383-8331 or 1-800-667-1839