COVID-19 Update for Sarnia-Lambton, May 6th, 2020
The Sarnia Primary Control Group met via teleconference on May 6, 2020, at 9:15 am regarding developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and, as of that time, received confirmation that the number of deaths connected to the pandemic within the Sarnia-Lambton area has risen to 16 and the number of confirmed cases remains stable at 192. Currently, there remains 2 institutional outbreaks declared in Sarnia at Vision Nursing Home and Landmark Village.
Please note that the Government of Ontario has adopted an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to extend electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 to help ease the financial burden on our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates, also known as the “off-peak price”, will continue to be billed at the lowest price at all times during the emergency.
The Government of Ontario also confirmed that, effective May 5, 2020, they are expanding their Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) programs to help all Ontarians who are experiencing anxiety and depression, including frontline health care workers, at no out-of-pocket costs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additional information can be found at: Ontario.ca/coronavirus
Especially in light of the fact that this is week is Mental Health Week, as recognized by the Canadian Mental Health Association, please remember that it is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is your physical health. Whether you are dealing with added stress, feelings of loneliness or you are simply overwhelmed, keep in mind that you are not alone and that help is available.
Please refer to the links below to access some of the resources that are available to assist you and your loved ones during these trying times:
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support
- https://lambtonkent.cmha.ca/
- https://www.sarnia.ca/local-resources/
As a result of Covid-19 restrictions, please note that City facilities, sports fields, organized programming, picnic rentals and other amenities shall remain closed until July 3rd 2020. The timing for the reopening of these facilities and activities will be re-evaluated the second week of June 2020 to align with any announcement by the Government of Ontario of their directives related to social distancing guidelines and public gatherings.
The City has had great success with the COVID-19 reporting hotline, and by continuing to work together through these difficult times, we will stop the spread of COVID-19. By-Law Enforcement has received the following number of complaints and concerns lodged through the COVID-19 reporting system to date:
· Total number of complaints received: 824
· Total number of emails received: 692
· Total number of phone calls received: 132
· Total number of charges laid: 5
Please note the above numbers do not include calls that were received through the Sarnia Police Services and dispatched to By-Law Staff or investigated by the Sarnia Police Services.
Contact Us:
The COVID-19 email reporting service is monitored daily including nights and weekends to provide the best available response to public concerns and we continue to encourage residents to email us at covid@sarnia.ca
The phone line is available Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:30am – 4:30pm and all messages received after hours are cleared the next business day. The number is 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642).
We would like to refer concerned community members to the websites for Bluewater Health and for Lambton Public Health for up to date information on the COVID-19 Virus, including the number of active cases within our community:
Bluewater Health:
· https://www.bluewaterhealth.ca/covid-19-information
Lambton Public Health:
· https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who you believe may have been infected, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
To listen to a detailed listing of City of Sarnia closures and disruptions, you are encouraged to call our City of Sarnia Services Update Line at 226-778-4611 which will be updated daily.
Lambton Public Health Information:
If you are experiencing symptoms and have traveled internationally, please call your health care provider or Lambton Public Health (519-383-8331) or https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/ (Please do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency).
The Primary Control Group will continue to meet daily to ensure that all new and relevant information is being taken into consideration going forward. Daily public notifications will be issued. Please visit the City’s website www.sarnia.ca, Facebook, and/or Twitter for updates.
For further information, please contact:
City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline
1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642) or 519-332-0932
Andrea Lane, Customer Service Manager
andrea.lane@sarnia.ca or 519-332-0330 ext.3231
City of Sarnia, Customer Service
customerservice@sarnia.ca or 519-332-0330 ext.3131