Kingston's medical officer of health urges continued vigilance

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Kingston region’s medical officer of health is encouraging local residents not to “become complacent” despite the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington area’s stable rates of COVID-19.

The written statement was released in response to the steady and “alarming” increase in COVID-19 cases across Ontario in recent weeks, leading to a second declared state of emergency in the province, which comes into effect on Thursday at 12:01 a.m. and will be in place until at least Feb. 11.

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Beginning Thursday, a stay-at-home order comes into effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to reduce people’s daily interactions with extended contacts outside of their household.

“In the KFL&A area, public health restrictions, paired with the diligence and sacrifices of local residents during the holiday season, have helped keep case rates relatively stable,” Dr. Kieran Moore, medical office of health with Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health, said in a written statement provided in a news release on Wednesday afternoon.

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On Wednesday, local public health announced three new cases in the region, including two men in their 20s who were exposed to the virus via close contact and a man in his 60s whose case is under investigation. Nine cases have resolved, bringing the region’s active case count to 43.

“I thank you for your diligence,” Moore said in his written statement. “However, we are not immune to outbreaks and we cannot become complacent. The continued vigilance of residents is essential to help keep our community safe and lift public health restrictions as soon as possible.”

The first COVID-19 vaccinations were administered at Kingston Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday, which Moore said marks the beginning of Phase 1 of a three-phased provincial vaccine rollout in the Kingston region.

“Residents, health-care workers and essential caregivers in long-term care homes and high-risk retirement homes have been prioritized and are beginning to receive the first batch of vaccines,” he wrote.

Moore asked for patience as that rollout takes place, beginning with high-risk individuals, then essential workers and older adults in Phase 2, and finally the general public, which Moore anticipates to occur in early fall.

“This process will take time, and we appreciate your patience, and we will continue to communicate to our community about the vaccine and its distribution,” he wrote.

For now, Moore urged residents to respect current lockdown restrictions by avoiding close contact with people outside of residents’ households.

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“Please stay home as much as possible, with exceptions for going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care, going to essential work or enjoying physical activity,” he wrote.

A release from the City of Kingston on Wednesday pointed out some changes to public services during this latest state of emergency in Ontario.

A number of municipal facilities will be closed to the public during the lockdown, including City Hall, as well as the city offices on John Counter Boulevard.

With City Hall closed, Kingston Transit passes will only be available at other outlets that provide essential services, and monthly passes can be available online. New monthly bus pass photo identification can be arranged by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The city’s outdoor recreational locations, such as public trails, playgrounds and the Springer Market Square public skating rink, will remain open.

The washrooms below City Hall will also remain open.

For more information about city services, visit www.cityofkingston.ca.

For information about COVID-19 in the Kingston region or provincially, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirusor COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario.