The Sarnia Primary Control Group (SPCG) met electronically with staff from Lambton Public Health (LPH), Bluewater Health, Lambton County, and Point Edward regarding developments related to COVID-19.

Local Update:

The group received an update from Dr. Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for Lambton County, regarding the COVID-19 situation in Sarnia-Lambton.

LPH reported that it is one of six Ontario Public Health Units participating in a pilot of a new online Provincial Immunization Booking System. The new online booking website, as well as a new Provincial call centre is expected to be open to the public on March 15. For updates and further information on these items go to https://covid-19.ontario.ca/.

Please visit getthevaccine.ca to learn more about how you and your family can access the COVID-19 vaccines as they become available in the community.

LPH remains in the Red-Control Zone of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework. Full details can be found listed under the  O. Reg. 263/20: Red-Control.

Provincial Update:

Through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant to help eligible business owners affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, more than 78,000 applications from small businesses across the province have been processed representing more than $1 billion in support. Upon approval, successful applicants will receive payment within 10 days. Applications are still open until March 31, 2021 and a detailed step-by-step instructional video on the application portal is available to help guide applicants through the process.

Eligible small businesses can also apply for additional financial supports including the newly expanded Main Street Relief Grant, which provides up to $1,000 to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE). The grant is now available to main street businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors, helping up to 60,000 small businesses in the retail trade, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, gyms and yoga studios, and arts, entertainment and recreation.

The government is also providing eligible businesses with rebates for property tax and energy costs. Grant programs are available through a simple online application, and businesses can learn more by visiting Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport.

Ontario is helping small businesses go digital in order to reach more customers through the $57-million Digital Main Street program, supported by the federal and provincial government. This initiative is expected to help up to 22,900 Ontario businesses create and enhance their online presence by April 2021.

Small businesses can visit ontario.ca/smallbusiness to learn about the many supports available to them. These include resources to find Ontario-made PPE through the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory, tailored local support through the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, and obtain free financial advice. Fore more information visit:

For more information on COVID-19, visit:

.As of 11:30 a.m. on March 2 the SPCG can report that:

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Lambton County

Confirmed Cases 2,115
Resolved Cases 1,996
Deaths 46
Active Cases 73
Current Active Outbreaks 6
Incidence Rate per 100,000 – Week of February 14-February 20, 2021 56
Percent Positive – Week of February 14-February 20, 2021 1.9
Total immunizations given – Updated February 17, 2021 1,554

By-Law Enforcement COVID-19 Reporting System

Total number of complaints and inquiries received 1715
Total number of emails received 1,449
Total number of phone calls received 266
Total number of charges issued 9
Media Release 2021-03-02 COVID-19Download