With the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the past week, Lambton Public Health (LPH) has determined several connections between formal and informal social gatherings that have resulted in multiple positive COVID cases, which public health is actively investigating.
All close contacts will be informed by Lambton Public Health, and required to isolate themselves, LPH officials said in a press release issued on Saturday, December 19, 2020.
These events include settings such as meat raffles, darts leagues, recreational activities, holiday gatherings, and office and workplace functions.
“This is a reminder to everyone that COVID-19 is currently actively circulating in our community,” stated Dr. Sudit Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for Lambton County, in a media release.
“Limiting all non-essential social interactions and staying home when you are sick, even with mild symptoms, continues to be a priority. I cannot emphasize that enough.”
LPH officials say everyone has a role to play to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
“We are stronger when we all work together,” LPH say.
“If Lambton Public Health contacts you, be honest and understand that isolating close contacts is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19.”
In a separate press release issued on Saturday, LPH officials say they are investigating two new workplace outbreaks, both declared on Friday, December 18.
LPH has received two laboratory-confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 linked to the first workplace, and two linked to the second.
A workplace outbreak is declared when there are two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in staff (employees, contractors, volunteers) or other visitors in a workplace with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the workplace, LPH officials say.
“Declaring an outbreak means that there is evidence of transmission of the virus in the workplace,” stated Dr. Ranade.
“The first steps involve immediately isolating affected individuals and working with the site location to ensure infection prevention and control measures are maintained or enhanced.”
The individuals who tested positive have been notified of their results and LPH is continuing to conduct case and contact management as part of the investigation.
LPH will continue to monitor the situation and work with the stakeholders involved to limit further transmission in the setting and the broader community, public health official say.
No additional details will be provided at this time based on the current needs of the investigation.
All individuals impacted have been notified, LPH officials say.
There are currently 49 active COVID-19 cases across Lambton County and five total outbreaks.
In total, there have been 497 cases since the pandemic began.
420 people have recovered, while 28 people have died.
