Dear Friends and Neighbours of Durham Region,
Thank you for your unwavering support, friendship and commitment to the Lakeridge Health team during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through personal messages, compassionate acts and tangible donations of equipment and services, the community is helping to keep our team healthy, safe and at work to care and support people across Durham Region.
Since Ontario declared a State of Emergency on March 17, all of us have been called upon to make dramatic changes in our personal and work lives through physical distancing and staying at home.
These sacrifices are necessary to change the course of this pandemic - and they are working!
There is evidence that the spread of the virus is starting to slow in Durham Region.
What this positive news tells us is that we need to keep doing what we are doing. We must continue this incredible community effort to protect ourselves, the people we love and the entire community.
People with a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms should immediately contact a primary care physician or Durham Region Health Department and complete an online COVID-19 assessment form on our website.
People who are very ill and need urgent medical attention should go to the emergency department - Lakeridge Health hospitals are here and committed to providing safe, excellent care when you need it.
As you do your part, the Lakeridge Health team continues its efforts to contain the virus and keep everyone safe.
Supporting COVID-19 patients through recovery
Our critical care teams have successfully extubated - or removed the breathing tubes from - more than 10 patients on ventilators to help them breathe. This means that patients are regaining their lung function and are on the road to recovery. This is wonderful news for patients, families and our teams.
Helping Fight COVID-19 in the Community and Long-Term Care Homes
Lakeridge Health is using our expertise and resources to support long-term care (LTC) and retirement homes to stem the virus and care for vulnerable members of our community.
Lakeridge Health, along with many community partners, is supporting LTC and retirement homes through large-scale testing of residents and staff, providing expert support in infection control, and providing residents with care and medical services using virtual technology.
Starting this week, Durham Region residents who have a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 and are discharged home will have access to critical health care services to support their recovery. The Virtual Wardallows a team of home care nurses and Lakeridge Health physicians to monitor and support patients through an online app on each patient’s mobile device.
Two Important Ways to Help
Contact COVID19GIVING@lh.ca to donate equipment, services or items that support team wellness.
To offer your financial support, please donate to the Durham Fights COVID-19 campaign. Your donation can be directed to your local Lakeridge Health hospital and will support three priorities: resources to improve the patient experience, medical equipment and care items for our hospital team members.
Thank you again for your compassion and generosity. Most of all - Thank You for doing all you can to keep our community and health care team safe.
Wishing you good health,
Susan deRyk, Interim President and CEO
Dr. Tony Stone, Chief of Staff
