Editor’s note: This letter is addressed to all residents of Chatham-Kent:
Editor: The leaders of the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) wish to emphasize to our community that our health-care system is facing a serious strain and your help is needed.
The community numbers of COVID-19 are swiftly increasing. The weekend of Dec. 3-5 saw 55 new cases in Chatham-Kent, for example. The health-care system in Chatham-Kent is feeling the strain caused by the increase in cases.
_Chatham-Kent Health Alliance currently has fifteen COVID-19 positive patients in hospital, and has had to modify its visitor policy, found here.
CK EMS service call volume is up five per cent, with an average of two COVID-19 positive patients being seen by EMS per day recently.
CK Public Health recently issued a letter of instruction that includes reducing the capacity of indoor social gatherings to 10 people. More information can be found online at https://ckphu.com/covid-19/.
We know our residents are tired of the pandemic. Chatham-Kent health-care workers are also tired, and capacity and space are becoming increasingly limited. You can help our health-care system in the following ways:
Remain at home when feeling unwell, follow the guidance and instructions of the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit; and remember that primary care services remain available.
If you have a health-care concern, please look to your family doctor or nurse practitioner for early detection and care. Get the right care at the right place.
CKOHT is comprised of health service providers across all sectors of our local health-care system, including our hospital, family health teams, community health centres, community service organizations, long-term care, and public health. On behalf of our health-care workers, we thank the residents of Chatham-Kent for their commitment to keeping our community safe.
Chatham-Kent
Ontario Health Team
