By Kim Phillips

According to Halton Region’s data posted online, Burlington currently has 116 active COVID-19 cases. The ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Burlington are primarily in long-term care (LTC) homes and retirement homes. Here are the data from the three largest outbreaks locally:

  • Chartwell Brant Centre LTC residence: 25 residents, 7 staff
  • The Williamsburg retirement home: 17 residents, 8 staff
  • Mount Nemo Christian LTC home: 12 residents, 10 staff

In each of the above locations, there are additional cases where the role of affected individuals was not specified.

Joseph Brant Hospital’s website indicates that they are “currently caring for 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19.”

As you know, the COVID-19 Response Framework was paused during Ontario’s province-wide shutdown.

Halton’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani, and CAO Jane MacCaskill co-lead the region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Committee and did a presentation to regional council on January 20, 2021. The presentation is posted online at halton.ca on the COVID-19 Vaccines page.

During the presentation, changes in how the region manages cases and contacts were highlighted. This is a streamlined case and contact management (CCM) approach. “One phone call to each case…follow up email with detailed information after the call.” Cases are required “to notify their own personal high-risk/close contacts.” These changes help regional staff manage the surge in cases within the community. Workplaces have different processes and you can direct questions by phone to 311 or look at the region’s website for information.

During the presentation to council, Dr. Meghani clarified the current roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government involved in the rollout of vaccines to Burlington and other residents of Halton Region. The following chart shows those responsibilities.

From: Halton Region, 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Update from Halton Region’s MOH & CAO. Presentation to Halton Regional Council, Jan. 20, 2021. Url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ZvhJD3xw0&feature=emb_title.

We are currently in phase 1 of the provincial plan, and residents, essential caregivers and staff of congregate care settings for seniors, and health care workers began to receive vaccines in January. Mobile teams in Halton completed first doses for long-term care home residents on January 23. Second doses are planned for February.

In phase 2, older adults (beginning with those 80 years of age and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the vaccine rollout) will receive their vaccines. Frontline essential workers and individuals with high-risk chronic conditions, their caregivers, and other populations across Ontario who are at greater COVID-19 risk will receive their vaccines.

In phase 3, all eligible residents across Ontario will receive their vaccines.

In each phase, of course, vaccine availability in Canada and distribution throughout the country impact the pace of the rollout. We all still need to wear masks and practice social distancing.

We also need to understand that, when Canada does not build, produce, manufacture, and supply the products our residents rely on — in good times and tougher times — we are vulnerable. Yes, our collegial and collaborative relationships around the world are helpful. They just can’t possibly equal the convenience of reliably available products and services we invent, develop, and implement here.

Some additional updates for you:

  • Halton District School Board schools will reopen on February 8 for students learning in person.
  • Joseph Brant Hospital has implemented a new mask policy. A medical-grade mask will be provided. Cloth masks and personal face coverings are not permitted.
  • City of Burlington Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee, then council, are considering updates today to their Emergency and Continuity Management Program, including transition to the virtual environment. The report and appendices are a very long read, but if you’re interested in learning more about the city’s plans, here’s the link to the meeting agenda file (see page 99 of the document): https://calendar.burlington.ca/Document/Download/bf8461dd-35b4-44e6-bcaf-acb8010321fe
  • Burlington’s public libraries are open for curbside pickup and delivery.

Be well and be kind. Spring is just around the corner!

Sources:

City of Burlington, 2021. Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda. Url: https://calendar.burlington.ca/Document/Download/bf8461dd-35b4-44e6-bcaf-acb8010321fe (accessed Feb. 4, 2021).

Halton District School Board, 2021. Home page. Url: https://www.hdsb.ca/Pages/Home.aspx (accessed Feb. 4, 2021).

Halton Region, 2021. COVID-19 Vaccines. Url: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccines (accessed Feb. 4, 2021).

Halton Region, 2021. Status of COVID-19 Cases in Halton. Url: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/Status-of-COVID-19-Cases-in-Halton (accessed Feb. 4, 2021).

Joseph Brant Hospital, 2021. COVID-19. Url: https://www.josephbranthospital.ca/en/redevelopment-expansion/masking.asp?_mid_=33550 (accessed Feb. 4, 2021).