Journal Staff
An eighth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Lambton County.
The resident, in his or her 70s, is being treated at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, Lambton Public Health said late Friday.
Health officials are following up with other people who were in close contact with that individual.
The first five cases of the virus in Sarnia-Lambton were confirmed Wednesday.
Those five individuals range in age from late 60s to late 80s. They had pre-existing underlying health conditions and had no personal history of travel.
Each had gone to Bluewater Health’s Emergency Department, where they were screened and tested for the illness.
The hospital on Thursday announced two additional cases.
Those patients, in their 70s and 80s, matched the age demographic of the others.
Of the seven patients currently being treated at Bluewater Health in Sarnia, four are in the intensive care unit.
The health unit also said Friday it will no long issue media releases to announce new cases, given the expectation that the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to increase.
Instead, it will release a local case count of lab-confirmed cases on its website Monday to Friday by 12 noon.
Health officials say if you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has it, you should self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
Consider the severity of symptoms and follow these recommendations:
* If you develop mild symptoms such as a fever or cough, move to self-isolation at home and rest.
* If your symptoms become more severe and you need to seek medical attention, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or your health care provider for assessment. You can also call Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331.
* For extremely severe symptoms call 911 or visit the emergency department.
Testing is done on a priority basis for people with critical illness and for essential service providers.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community health officials continue to recommend you:
* Limit the number of people you come into close contact with.
* Avoid crowds and change the time that you go if you find a store to be very crowded.
* Discuss work from home or modified shift arrangements with your employer.
* Avoid non-essential trips and interactions in the community.
* Frequently practice good personal hygiene – wash your hands, cover your cough and sneeze, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands. Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch.
* Stay home if you are sick.