Good afternoon everyone. We hope you have been able to enjoy some of today’s sunshine.
We do have some great updates to share with you regarding to the vaccine clinic held this week at CSD, an agency vaccine update and an Ontario Trillium Grant update. We also have information on the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) and Stay at Home Orders that have been issued.
LCDS Vaccine Clinic & Vaccine Update
We were excited to host our first vaccine clinic at the CSD building in Petrolia this past Monday, April 19. It was a true collaboration between LCDS, Lambton Public Health, people we support and their loved ones and our employees among others. We were able to provide an opportunity for 89 people to receive their first vaccination. Attendees included people supported in group living, supported independent living and host family. Opportunities were also extended to essential caregivers, respite providers and people supported locally by St. Francis Advocates. It was a true success and again a great example of community collaboration.
We received positive feedback from Lambton Public Health on the site, organization and support provided by the team at LCDS. Thank you to Krista McCann for coordinating and scheduling the clinic. Thank you to Jen Salaris and the team at CSD for their work behind the scenes setting up and making everyone feel comfortable throughout the day. The second vaccination for this group will be scheduled at CSD in early-to-mid August barring any setbacks. We will continue to offer our spaces for future vaccination clinics, should they be required by Lambton Public Health. Krista will now be looking to coordinate on-site mobile vaccination opportunities at our group living homes. More information will be shared once details are available.
Agency Vaccine Update
We are extremely encouraged by the vaccination numbers we have seen to date. The numbers change daily. As of today, we are happy to report the following numbers as receiving the vaccine:
- 119 employees
- 59 people we support
- 47 essential/host family caregivers
Thank you to all those who have consented to receive a vaccine. Please ensure you receive the advice of your regulated health professional in regard to the vaccine and what is best for you and your situation.
Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant
We are pleased to report that we have been selected as a fortunate grant recipient by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The successful grant application will allow the agency to purchase an accessible minivan. Thank you to Christina Fazio, Greg With and the LCDS Vehicle Committee for their work on the grant application and their dedication to the agency fleet of vehicles. This is great and welcomed news!
Provincial Stay-at-Home Orders
On April 16, 2021, the province announced enhancements and extension of the Stay-at-Home orders to May 5, 2021, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. A link to the news release can be found here – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/61192/ontario-strengthens-enforcement-of-stay-at-home-order
A link to the Emergency orders currently in force can be found here – https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information. The province continues to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. In addition, orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 remain in force. There may be further changes to the orders. We will keep you posted on any updates.
We are all longing for better days. Hopefully, they are not far off. Thinking of you all. Be safe and well!
