Jenna Cocullo, Local Journalism Initiative
This week saw one new case of COVID-19 reported, bringing the cumulative total to 149 in Chatham-Kent.
To date, four of those cases remain active. All individuals are self-isolating.
Last week, CK Public Health changed its reporting system. The health Unit’s website now updates only on weekdays at 2:30 p.m. instead of 12:30 p.m. Communications officer Stephanie Egelton said the website will not be updated on weekends due to a decrease in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and a reduction of staff.
Other information analyzing the patterns of distribution, such as exposure and risk factors were added to Public Health’s reporting.
As cases slowly decline, people throughout Ontario are now being encouraged to establish “social circles” of no more than 10 people.
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, updated public health advice to come into effect immediately province-wide to allow social circles of up to 10 members, including those outside the immediate household.
“Social circles will support the mental health and well-being of Ontarians and help reduce social isolation,” according to the government’s release.
Ontarians who wish to form a safe social circle should follow these five simple steps:
- Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;
- If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;
- Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;
- Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and
- Be true to your circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.
There are no travel advisories in Ontario, or Canada-based restrictions of travel within the country, according to CK Public Health. However, some provinces or territories may have additional restrictions for its own residents returning home from elsewhere in Canada.
