As the numbers came in today, health officials are preparing the community for an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases that may exceed the capacities of our local hospitals. Confirmed cases are as follows:
- State of Michigan: 7,615 confirmed cases; 259 deaths
- St. Clair County: 31 confirmed cases
- Ontario: 1,966 confirmed cases; 33 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton: 39 confirmed cases; 4 deaths
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, St. Clair County Health Department stated, “We are in continuous contact with our local health care providers, hospitals, and other agencies that service the public and/or at-risk populations to ensure they are following proper PPE guidelines based on resource availability and revised CDC guidelines for this unprecedented event. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is also following up on all complaints related to PPE usage.”
A number of agencies in Sarnia have been receiving calls from people reporting businesses and individuals who are in violation of emergency orders. Sarnia Police Service and the City of Sarnia have collaborated to establish an information hotline to report businesses and individuals who are not complying with the emergency orders and directives that are in effect. Members of the public may report their concerns in the following ways, which will be monitored between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday:
By Email: covid@sarnia.ca
By Phone: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642) or 519-332-0330
Bylaw Services will investigate all concerns reported as appropriate. Chef Norm Hansen of Sarnia Police Services said, “As of last evening, the Province of Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health has mandated the immediate closure of all outdoor recreational amenities such as sports fields and playgrounds. While our initial focus will be on educating the public, we will not hesitate to impose fines when appropriate. If we can all do our part, we will beat this deadly virus together and be able to return to our normal lives sooner.”
Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:
- Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/coronavirus
- State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus or Info Hotline 1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
- St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
- Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
St. Clair County Community Mental Health established a COVID-19 Support Line. The hotline is free, confidential and available to anyone in St. Clair County Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Simply call 810-985-8900 and ask for the Support Line. Your call will be answered by a trained, licensed mental health professional.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
