Hastings County’s warden has paid tribute to the county’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the work of the paramedics.
During a teleconference meeting of county council on Thursday, Warden Rick Phillips outlined the work carried out over the past eight weeks.
Phillips said staff “stepped up in scary times.”
He mentioned the virus outbreak at Hastings Manor, the work of the nurses, the staff, the paramedics and the work of social services staff in public housing.
About the Manor he said, “The outbreak has been contained to one small area of the home, 10 residents tested positive. Five employees tested positive. They remain at home.”
Phillips said, “When Premier Ford talks about frontline heroes he is referring to our people.”
He pointed to the work of the paramedics who stepped up early in the COVID-19 fight.
Phillips said the county had to lay people off and asked others to step up and serve on the front lines.
Extra paramedics have been hired at a cost of $750,000, which the county expects to receive from the province.
Belleville cooperated in mobilizing partnerships for establishing Home for Good, where 32 people have been housed so far and he expects the remaining eight units will be filled by June 1.
Phillips recognized that businesses are hurting and referred to the county reopening. “It won’t happen soon, won’t happen all at once. We need to realize people are frustrated…some will blow off steam on social media…that needs to be taken in stride.”
“But,” he said, “it’s times like this that bring out the best in people, flowing in the same direction not seen since World War II.”
