significant increase in COVID-19 positive cases

Today, Monday, December 6, 2021, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Public Health Officer at Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington (KFL & A), confirmed a significant increase in COVID-19-positive cases in the KFL & A area.

According to a KFL & A Public Health release, COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly because they are controlled by the Delta COVID-19 variant, which is easily transmitted in social settings and can cause disease severity.

The agency called on all people with symptoms to test for COVID-19. In addition, unvaccinated or partially immunized individuals are encouraged to take full vaccinations to protect themselves and those more susceptible to serious illness, public health said in a statement reminding residents to continue to follow public health measures to protect our community. , keeps our schools and workplaces safe and open and prevents additional impact on our health care resources.

“Partly because of the high vaccination rates in our community, we have managed to keep schools and jobs open; now, however, we must give priority to measures to stabilize cases in the region, ”Dr Oglaza said. “In the future, our top priority will be to immunize vulnerable populations, especially younger, unvaccinated ones; to continue contact tracing and case management, especially in the school environment; we strongly recommend active screening in public places and workplaces; and testing for COVID-19 symptoms.”

Following the advice of the KFL & A Public Health Health Officer, all residents are asked to:

• Get a full vaccine when you are eligible to help protect those who are more susceptible to serious illness.
• Check your COVID-19 symptoms daily.
• Stay at home, isolate and go for a test if you have symptoms, even mild.
• Avoid social gatherings (and if you attend or arrange a gathering, a maximum of 10 people will be restricted in a private home).
• Restrict your visit to others or let others visit you and stay overnight.
• Stay within 2 meters of people you don’t live with and wear the mask indoors or at any time physical distance is not possible.
• Consider picking up, shipping, or alternative times for shopping, especially if you have a higher risk of getting sick.

In addition, all companies, jobs and schools are invited to:

• Continue active screening for students and employees.
• Encourage and support students and employees to stay sick at home.
• Help those who are more prone to illness get to your business by offering pickup, delivery, or alternative opening hours.
• Make sure students and staff follow public health measures.
• Collect accurate contact information and check vaccination status if necessary.
• Consider providing rapid antigen testing to workers by visiting the provincial antigen screening program COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario to verify data and determine eligibility.
• Limit the volume of music in companies so that it is not louder than normal conversation.
• Provide employees with the opportunity to work from home.
• Rethink social events in the workplace (e.g., holiday lunches or parties).

“I want to thank and acknowledge those who are already doing their part to achieve these priorities – take a complete vaccination, perform a daily symptom screening and be tested,” added Dr. Oglaza.

KFL & A Public Health reminds those who test positive for COVID-19 or have been identified as a risk contact that there is a statutory requirement to isolate in accordance with public health guidelines.

Full vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its effects, the agency said. In addition to mobile clinics and pharmacies, the Portsmouth Olympic Port Vaccine Clinics, Cataraqui Center and KFL & A Public Health’s Napanee office are open and offer vaccinations by appointment or entrance. For more information on clinic locations, opening hours, appointments, and third-party eligibility, visit the KFL & A Public Health website or call 343-477-0172.

For a list of local COVID-19 assessment centers and pharmacies that provide tests or additional information about COVID-19, visit kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or Ontario.ca/coronavirus.