The chief of staff at Bluewater Health is encouraged by the latest COVID-19 numbers locally, and is commending the community for its response to try to control the spread of the virus.
As of Wednesday morning Lambton Public Health reported that the number of confirmed cases remained the same at 119, the death toll was unchanged at 11, and 35 people had recovered, up from 21 Tuesday.
Bluewater Health Chief of Staff Doctor Mike Haddad (photo via community news conference Apr. 7, 2020)
Doctor Mike Haddad told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) that he's impressed how the Sarnia-Lambton community is handling the crisis.
"I'm a bit encouraged, cautiously optimistic that the numbers seem to have levelled off and we haven't seen the massive upsurge that our neighbours across the bridge have seen," said Haddad. "I really want to give credit to our community for heeding the advice from public health and the government to stay at home and abide by the physical distancing rules. I think that took the pressure a bit off the hospital by reducing the speed of which the virus has spread locally."
Dr. Haddad said things have shifted quite a bit over the last four weeks since the pandemic was officially declared.
"You drive around the city, things are very quiet, schools are closed, people are listening to advise for the most part. Grocery stores controlling access and how many people are coming in and out. I think things have changed quite a bit and really that's what slowed things down. Otherwise, we would have been hit quite hard," he said.
Dr. Haddad described the community's support for healthcare workers as "amazing."
"We are flooded by donations and goodwill and support. People want to donate and have been donating masks, making shields to protect our staff, financial donations, shows of support and signs, first responders and sirens all over the place. The staff is so moved by the support, it's really moving actually."
The chief of staff said the support is uplifting for staff, adding that it's heartbreaking to see sick people in hospital with no family support because of the need for strict visitor restrictions.
Bluewater Health reported Wednesday that there were 22 patients still in hospital with the virus, and 11 suspected of having it with tests pending.
-With files from Sue Storr
