The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding everyone in its jurisdiction to maintain diligence in following public health guidance.
Even though the provincial stay-at-home order ended Wednesday, not much will change until the first phase of the new provincial reopening plan comes into effect and the MLHU stresses that the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over.
“Little has changed today other than the language around stay-at-home,” associate medical officer of health Dr. Alex Summers told Global News.
“Even though our case numbers are dropping, we remember what it was like for the second wave (case counts) to reduce very low and what happened after? Well, the third wave took off. Although we’ve got vaccinations continuing to roll out, we need to avoid that fourth wave by being continually vigilant right now.”
The MLHU is reminding the public to avoid indoor gatherings with anyone outside of their household (those who live alone are encouraged to consider having contact with only one other household), to wear a mask, maintain two metres’ distance from others and wash hands frequently.
“Do not go to work if you are feeling sick,” the MLHU also says. “Visit an Assessment Centre to get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you have been contacted by the Middlesex-London Health Unit or have been notified through the COVID-Alert notification app, of a close contact with a confirmed case.”
Summers adds that “we are truly in the home stretch” with a rapidly climbing number of people receiving their first and even second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’re just asking for people to hang tight, be steadfast, hold tight, we’re getting there. Just bear with us for the end of this pandemic.”
— with a file from Global News’ Nick Westoll.
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