CK Public Health and the province are changing up how they are approaching COVID-19 in several ways.
Based on direction from the provincial government, CK Public Health is changing case and contact management. This new model, officials said, protects the most vulnerable members of the community in highest-risk settings (i.e. schools and child-care centres, retirement homes, long-term care homes, other congregate living settings, and acute health-care settings).
A central provincial workforce will now investigate all new cases of COVID-19 and provide appropriate instructions for both cases and contacts.
The provincial workforce will reach out initially by text message with a request for a reply, followed by a phone call.
CK Public Health will focus on cases and contacts related to the highest-risk settings.
Public Health asks for the public’s assistance in slowing COVID-19 transmission.
- Receive your booster vaccine as soon as you become eligible.
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate at home with household members for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the isolation and contact notification instructions provided to you by the investigator following up on your case.
This change helps CK Public Health to focus on vaccination to reduce the severity of symptoms and helps reduce the strain on the local health-care system, officials said.
All Chatham-Kent residents aged 18-plus are eligible to book an appointment for the third COVID-19 shot at a mass vaccination clinic or select pharmacies as long as at least 84 days has passed since their second dose.
CK Public Health is continuously adding more vaccine appointments, which can be booked at www.GetYourShotCK.ca or by calling 519-351-1010.
CK Public Health is also continuing to vaccinate those ages 5-11, and first and second doses for those aged 12 and older.
