Home > Featured Page – COVID-19 Updates & Information

Featured Page – COVID-19 Updates & Information

covid virus, augusta logo, reads COVID-19 Updates and information

Updated: June 28, 2022

COVID-19: What Is It?

The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit’s website has a page dedicated to COVID-19 which outlines exactly what this virus is, symptoms to watch for and how it is spread.


What is Expected of Us?

As per the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit:

Because this virus spreads so easily – we all need to do our part to slow and reduce the spread so our healthcare system is not overloaded. This means:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer after being in touch with others or handling anything from outside your home
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hands
  • Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres
  • Do not share personal items that come into contact with saliva such as toothbrushes, eating utensils, drinks, water bottles, and towels
  • If you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms (including fever) – please self-isolate immediately and complete the online self-assessment or get tested at an assessment centre.

 

What Else Should You Know?

 

AUGUSTA DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY – *NOTE: THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WAS LIFTED 02/22/2022

On March 27, 2020, Mayor Doug Malanka declared a state of emergency in the Township of Augusta, under Section 4 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and remains effect until further notice.  Declaring an emergency is not an indication that the crisis has escalated in our community. It means that, as a Township, our priority is to be proactive and prepared. It will ensure that Augusta Township’s municipal government can continue to respond quickly to the pandemic and any other events that arise from it in the weeks ahead.
We need residents who feel they are not at risk personally to recognize how serious (and potentially deadly) this pandemic can be to all, especially our elderly and those with a compromised immune system. The formal Declaration also provides the Township of Augusta with additional powers and tools to protect the health and safety of residents. It streamlines the decision-making process through the Municipality’s Emergency Control Group so they can act as quickly as possible when they need to.

 

TOWNSHIP OFFICE & RECREATION FACILITIES

In order to keep physical contact to a minimum, we ask that residents call the office or email staff rather than come in to the office.  If a physical meeting is required, an appointment can then be arranged.  This is also recommended to ensure that staff are available and on site when you arrive.

For a complete list of Township Staff with their phone numbers, email addresses and examples of areas they are responsible for, please visit our CONTACT US page.

COVID-19 screening poster from the leeds, grenville & lanark health unit
COVID-19 Screening Poster

*NEW *

As of March 1, 2022, the following changes have taken place:

  • All occupancy loads are back to pre-COVID numbers within Township buildings.  This means that the Council chambers and recreation halls are fully open to the public.
  • Proof of vaccination is no longer required at our recreation halls.
  • Passive screening is still required in any public places so there is a sign on our doors reminding visitors to please not to enter if they have COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been identified as a “close contact” of someone who currently has COVID-19. (see poster)
  • The doors inside the lobby at the Township office are no longer locked during office hours.  Visitors do not need to use the intercom button.

AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES

Please visit the Library’s website to learn what arrangements and protocols they currently have in place.

 

DROP BOX AVAILABLE

The front doors to the lobby at the Township office are unlocked for anyone wishing to access the drop box inside the lobby.  The box is clearly marked on the left hand side of the lobby on the brick wall.  Township staff check the box regularly.  We ask that you please do not put cash in the drop box.  Thank you.

 

TRANSFER STATIONS – UPDATED 03/21/2022

As per the Ontario Regulation, all Provincial mandates relating to facial coverings were lifted as of 12:01am this morning – Monday March 21st, 2022. This means the mandate for facial coverings has been removed for staff and residents at the Transfer Stations. However, if staff or residents still wish to wear a facial covering, the Township of Augusta supports their decision and there will be zero tolerance for any bullying or harassment.

Also effective today, the limit of one load of construction waste per household per day has been lifted.  Normal fees will apply.
At this time, capacity limits will remain at six (6) vehicles which will be reassessed at a future date.

Augusta Township logo

Augusta Township Media Release #11

February 23, 2022

Township of Augusta – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

(MAYNARD) The Township of Augusta held a meeting of the Municipal Emergency Control Group on Tuesday to review our declaration of emergency.

The Township of Augusta has made the decision to terminate the “Declaration of Emergency” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as of February 22, 2022. Following are the considerations that informed this decision:

• The supports required to continue to manage during the pandemic can be met with existing resources within the Township.

• Declared emergencies are designed to heighten public awareness to an impending danger. Awareness of the pandemic is well established.

• Provincial and Federal financial programs have been designed and implemented relating specifically to the pandemic.

The Township of Augusta continues to ask our residents to adhere to all public health guidance as life begins to return to a “new normal.”

With the termination of the emergency declaration, the Township’s COVID-19 assistance hotline has been deactivated. If residents would still like to reach out for information on services in our community, including vaccination locations, grocery delivery, senior assistance, mental health, how to access Federal and Provincial services etc., please dial 2-1-1 from any touchtone phone.

“We ask you to continue to adhere to Provincial and Leeds Grenville, Lanark Health Unit Regulations with social distancing, facial coverings and hand washing.” said Mayor Doug Malanka “We would like to thank our residents for respecting the health protocols aimed at protecting their health, safety and well-being and that of their loved ones, persons living with elevated risk and our community on the whole.”

Learn more: http://covid-19.ontario.ca
Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Public Health
Health Canada

Updates will continue to be provided on the Township’s website and social media platforms.

Posted February 23, 2022

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS MEDIA RELEASES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP

Facebook logo Facebook


province of ontario logo

Ontario Government New Release: Ontario Moving to Next Phase of Reopening on February 17

Improvements in key indicators allowing province to safely ease public health measures sooner

February 14, 2022

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — With key public health and health system indicators continuing to improve, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is cautiously and gradually easing public health measures sooner, with the next phase of measures being eased on February 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m.

“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”

Last month, Ontario released its plan to follow a cautious and phased approach to lifting public health and workplace safety measures if health indicators continued to remain stable and improve. Positivity rates have fallen and new admissions to hospital and ICU have been declining week over week, signaling that the Omicron peak is behind us. Over the coming days and weeks, these trends are expected to continue, allowing the province to safely accelerate its timelines.

“Thanks to the province’s high vaccination rates and the continued sacrifices of Ontarians, we are now in a position where we can move forward in our plan earlier than anticipated,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “With hospitalizations and ICU admissions continuing to decline, we are committed to maintaining a gradual and cautious approach to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can access the care they need when they need it.”

Effective February 17, 2022

Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:

  • Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
  • Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
    • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
    • Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
    • Cinemas
    • Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
    • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
    • Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
  • Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
  • Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
  • Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
  • Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.

Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.

In addition, as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, individuals must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.

Effective March 1, 2022

Ontario intends to take additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continue to improve. This includes lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.

Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.

To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local context and conditions.

“Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians to help blunt the transmission of Omicron, our health care indicators suggest a general improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the province,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We are now in a position to lift more public health measures, but it is important to stay vigilant, as we don’t want to cause any further disruption to people’s everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses.”

Quick Facts

  • Due to a steady decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions, on February 10, 2022, the government lifted Directive 2 to begin a gradual and cautious resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures across the province.
  • Since Ontario entered modified Step Two, over 202,000 Ontarians have received a first dose and more than 2,575,000 Ontarians have received their booster.
  • To further support the province’s cautious easing of public health measures, Ontario is expanding access to free rapid tests, with 5.5 million rapid tests to be distributed each week for eight weeks through pharmacies, grocery stores, and community partners in vulnerable communities.
  • Effective January 4, 2022, the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app must be used in settings where proof of vaccination is required.
  • Download your vaccine certificate by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/.
  • To have your vaccine certificate mailed to you, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
  • On January 17, 2022, Health Canada approved the antiviral Paxlovid. Ontario received approximately 10,000 courses of treatment from the federal government in January, with additional allocations of more than 10,000 courses for February and 33,000 courses for March. Eligibility is currently focused on adults with the highest risk of severe outcomes.
  • In response to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Ontario updated its COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines. Learn more about what to do if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.

Additional Resources

Posted February 16, 2022

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS MEDIA RELEASES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

computer mouse Website 


health unit logo

Media Release: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

June 28, 2022

Health Unit starting to reduce pandemic specific services

We are currently transitioning away from our pandemic response and beginning to resume our non-COVID work. Part of this is reducing the phone lines we had available during the pandemic as they are no longer busy and our regular phone lines can accommodate the calls. Our general COVID and school phone lines are now closed (COVID extensions 2499 & 2323 and school phone line 1-866-236-0123).

While there are still cases and hospitalizations in the area, we continue to provide important services for cases and outbreaks. Healthcare providers and institutions, as well as childcare operators reporting COVID cases or symptoms can call our outbreak line at 1-800-660-5853 extension 2222. For questions from the public relating to COVID-19, including testing and isolation guidance for close contacts, those with symptoms or positive tests, call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730, open 7 days a week from 8:00am-6:00pm.

Our local Vaccine Call Centre (1-844-369-1234) remains open weekdays from 8:30am-4pm for vaccine bookings and any proof of vaccination requests. We encourage anyone who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to contact us to get up to date.

For a list of Health Unit services, visit the “Health Information” topic area of our website for information on our non-COVID work and services. The COVID-19 section is still available for your information. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 and ask for the service you require.

Our offices are open regular hours in Brockville and Smiths Falls (Monday to Friday – 830am –Noon and 1pm-430pm). Please note that masks are still required when you visit our offices and clinics to protect our staff and clients.

Posted June 28, 2022

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS MEDIA RELEASES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY THE LEEDS, GRENVILLE & LANARK DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT

computer mouse Website     Facebook logo Facebook    twitter logo Twitter

 

 

Enter your email and a link to reset your password will be sent to you.

Sign up for an account

I am a resident of Augusta Township

*You will receive a verification code via email if you have not verified your email already.

I am a resident of Augusta Township

Enter the verification code that was sent to you.