In a media release received Dec.15, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) reported that the significant outbreak in the Whitewater Region community is coming to a close. The release stated that in the past two days, 44 of the 63 confirmed COVID-19 cases have completed the two-week isolation period. Fortunately, there was no serious illness requiring hospitalization amongst the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.
RCDHU is confirming that after thorough contact tracing, testing, and a two-week monitoring period, there have been no additional cases linked to the outbreak, outside of the tight knit community in Renfrew County and District. “I would like to thank the Whitewater community and their leaders for their cooperation on seeing this outbreak to a successful closure without outside spread of the disease,” states Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU.
Dr. Cushman continued, “I want to remind the residents of Renfrew County and District how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated team of public health staff, emergency medical services, and Renfrew County Virtual Triage Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) support. The time, effort, and care they put into limiting the extent of this outbreak makes me proud. As I have said many times, the healthcare team is a remarkable defense, but the general public is the offense in the fight against COVID-19, and we look to you and only you to contain the outbreak over what will be a challenging Christmas and holiday season.”
RCDHU is reminding residents of the importance in self-monitoring and self-isolating for COVID-19 symptoms. It is also imperative that everyone do their part to stay home if they are sick, avoid contact with people who are ill, limit social activities, celebrate the holidays with only members of their immediate households, avoid all non-essential travel, practice physical distancing (2 metres), wear a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, wash their hands, use the COVID Alert App, and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool or COVID-19 school screening tool daily if they go to work, school or daycare, to monitor for symptoms and proper guidance.
For more information, visit RCDHU’s website at https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2/ or call 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097.
RCDHU(2020,Dec.15) RCDHU Update on COVID-19 Outbreak in Whitewater Region [media release]