Not typical for me. I spent yesterday nursing a migraine. I called all of my patients from home. Who knew that a doctor could work from home. I so enjoy hearing your voices. It seemed like you were more relaxed and I was more relaxed too. Lots more time to talk about all of your concerns without a busy office to manage. Of course, heading out to my garden at noon to say a little prayer over my carrots was pretty nice too.
I will jump right to it. There were 23 new cases of COVID 19 in Guelph this past week. That's 12 % of all reported cases in Guelph so far. This increase may in part be due to the protesters from a couple of weeks ago but it is also due to a vast increase in the number of tests our COVID Clinic is completing each day and the fact that public health is tracing the contacts of all positive cases. Most of the new cases had been traced which means that the system we are using is working very, very well and you are key to how successful our community's response to COVD 19 is.
Here is an example: Phase 2 requires that you have a negative COVID 19 test within 2 weeks of seeing a relative in a longterm care home or a retirement home. The number of patients being seen each day at the clinic has increased to an extraordinary high number in the high 300's everyday in part due to this new Phase 2 rule but also because people are understanding the value of being tested.
Everyone who tested positive last week were contacted by public health, asked to quarantine for 2 weeks and watched over carefully during that quarantine to pick up progression of disease and given advice as to how to stay healthy during quarantine. Those that become quite ill, are sent to hospital for assessment and early support with oxygen and fluids. The earlier a patient with progressive symptoms is seen, the greater the likelihood that they will not require ventilation and the less chance they have of dying. That is why Guelph's number of new cases has climbed to over 170 but the number of people who have died has stayed at 9.
People now understand how well run this clinic is. They are less fearful of it. They know to be tested not just to be able to see relatives in LTC but if they have any symptoms of fever, cold, sore throat, or even new onset diarrhea, if they have been exposed or are at risk of being exposed.
People flood in for testing. Those that test positive are quarantined and cared for for two weeks. Their contacts are traced. Any positive contacts are quarantined too. This system of rapid testing, widespread tracing, quarantining and earlier institution of hospital care will allow our medical and public health care teams to keep the virus under lock down. It is our way of locking it down while you move out of lock down. Any early outbreaks are smashed with this technique.
A shout out to Dr. Doug Friars, the physician lead of our COVID 19 clinic. I bet he did not think he would be handing this goliath at this stage of his career. The province is encouraging the provincial testing sites to ramp testing to 40,000 a day We met the first goal of 20,000. We can meet this goal as well. Exceptional team work. You are vital members of that team
And here is the result of that work:
Ontario has reported another dip in the number of new COVID-19 cases, recording the lowest number of new infections in nearly 12 weeks: 173, the fifth straight day of cases being below 200.
The number of new cases in Canada on Thursday was only 367. There is a beautiful graph that shows numbers at our peak and the amazing decline in new cases as we move past the peak. You can see the graph here:
Look at daily new cases in Canada. It a wonderful thing.
Wether people argue, curse, bully, insult or shame the folks that are following the science, your country is following the science and that and only that will get us through this pandemic.
Talk of a new app that will help with contact tracing? I will review and get back to you but I know I am signing up. That should create quite a stir. From this point on debates that are 40 or 50 comments long and full of accusations, unkind words and insults or threats will be left up for short review. You are entitled to your opinion. But then they will be removed. This is a place where you will receive good scientific advice, lots of encouragement and lovely stories of how people are taking care of each other. It is not a forum where people should be unloading there opinions in very disrespectful ways.
Enjoy the weekend.
Back at you tomorrow. We are doing a marvellous job Canada. Stay six feet apart. Do not gather in groups of more than 10, even on father's day. Your social bubble, if it contains 10 people, cannot gather with another bubble that contains 10 people. Only ten can gather. If you're outside where physical distancing can be maintained with ease you do not need a mask but if you cannot be sure that this is possible WEAR A MASK! I will go toe to toe with anyone who says there is insufficient evidence that the Masks works.
Anne-Marie
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