CKHA, Chatham-Kent EMS and CK Public Health worked together to support greater access for the residents across Chatham-Kent to receive a COVID-19 test with mobile drive-thru testing clinics.
By: Emily Field, Communications Specialist, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
During the first 365 days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) along with its Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CK OHT) partners built upon their already well-established relationships to respond to a crisis not seen in recent history. When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, immediate action was taken amongst CKHA and its partners to keep patients, health care workers, and the overall community safe from the spread of the virus. Responding to the rapidly changing needs of the pandemic brought a level of collaboration like no other. From proactive COVID-19 testing in in Long Term Care Homes to mobile drive-thru testing clinics, to establishing the CK COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic – CKHA and its partners banded together to support one another throughout this uncertain year. What took place in the first 365 days was not only responding and adapting to the difficult circumstances the pandemic created, but accomplishing other hospital and broader system goals such as implementing a new health information system and launching construction of significant health care infrastructure.
Supporting the Broader System in Chatham-Kent and the Erie St. Clair Region
CKHA's role in supporting the broader system and its peers was seen in initiatives such as redeploying hospital staff to assist at Fairfield Park Long Term Care Home in Wallaceburg during an outbreak which saw a total of 100 residents and staff test positive for the virus. CKHA's team provided infection control education, housekeeping and care taking support to Fairfield Park during this difficult time for the home. When Wave 2 of the pandemic arrived, CKHA also lent a helping hand to its regional peers at Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare when capacity reached a critical point at these organizations. Patient transfers from these hospitals to CKHA's Chatham Site were accepted to help ease pressure on the regional system.
The culmination of CKHA's support of the broader system and its highly collaborative relationships was more apparent than ever when Chatham-Kent became number one in the province on March 11, 2021 when it came to the proportion of its population having received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (cumulative doses per 100,000 population). 
Preparation for the local vaccine roll out began in late 2020 and ramped up in February with the opening of the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic – a partnership of CKHA, Chatham-Kent Public Health, Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services and the CK OHT. With the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine to Chatham-Kent in February, Phase 1 priority populations began receiving their inoculations at this clinic. By March 22, 2021, over 15,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered in Chatham-Kent.
CKHA in partnership with CK Public Health, Chatham-Kent EMS and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, completed a COVID-19 testing blitz of all staff and residents in the seven Long-Term Care Homes across Chatham-Kent.
Infographic Commemorates Accomplishments of CKHA and Partners
To recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of CKHA and its partners throughout the year, the hospital created an infographic titled: 365 Days of Pandemic at CKHA. This infographic represents a visual journey of the incredible work of CKHA's staff, physicians, volunteers and CK OHT partners. To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization shared this infographic with its staff and broader community on March 11, 2021. From pandemic preparedness and response, to the hospital progressing in its own organizational goals, the initiatives highlighted speak to the extraordinary dedication of CKHA and its partners to the health and well-being of Chatham-Kent's residents. As a keepsake for this difficult yet momentous year, the hospital plans to display this infographic in a public area and include it in a time capsule to capture this moment in history. To view the infographic, 365 Days of Pandemic at CKHA, click here.
CKHA created an infographic to show case the accomplishments of the organization over the first 365 days of the pandemic. Many of the highlighted initiatives were supported by local health system partners.