The Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) hears reports from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, area police and fire officials and Counties departments, including Community and Social Services, Paramedic Service, Public Works, Finance and Maple View Lodge long-term care facility.
Health Unit reporting community spread of COVID-19 cases remains low.
COVID-19 community spread numbers remain low according to the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit.
Dr. Paula Stewart, the region’s Medical Officer of Health, told the MECG group maintaining appropriate distancing and staying home whenever possible is working to flatten the curve in the tri-county area.
“We continue to have low numbers because we have been social distancing,” Dr. Stewart said. She reported there was an increase in people coming to the Brockville Assessment Centre after walk-in services were announced last week. “There was a bit of a surge when it first started,” she said, but added it was not a dramatic increase.
Additional Emergency Childcare Centre spaces have opened:
A second Kemptville site has opened to expand childcare services to meet the needs of qualifying essential and front-line workers. In Brockville, the centre at Commonwealth Public School will be expanded to six rooms. Eligible workers in Leeds and Grenville include those working in the emergency and essential services identified by the Ontario Government, as well as workers in grocery stores and pharmacies. Childcare rooms are limited to six children each to maintain required distancing guidelines.
Community and Social Services Emergency Relief Fund:
The Provincial government announced a Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which is a shared initiative between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. SSRF funding was allotted to thirteen local services and programs being delivered to persons in-need throughout Leeds and Grenville. Funding will begin to flow today for those who have met the application requirements.
Temporary Self-Distancing Centre:
The Centre is currently full with a capacity of nine individuals. The Temporary Self-Distancing Centre is intended to support those in our community that may be precariously housed and would benefit from the opportunity to physically distance. The Counties has secured a number of rooms in a Brockville hotel for this purpose, including an office area for staff. The Centre is funded through the Social Services Relief Fund; monies received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Paramedic Service assisting with COVID-19 testing
The Counties Paramedic Service continues to provide community assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Service is assisting at the Brockville Assessment Centre, providing testing at long-term care facilities and performing testing during at homevisits. Access to the at home testing requires a referral by the Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit or primary care physician.
