Menu

BREAKING NEWS:

covid-post-general-800x450-4-3-1

More UK, First Brazil COVID Variant In The Region

, , , ,

The Northwestern Health Unit has been notified of more COVID-19 variants of concern, including the region’s first Brazilian variant.

The Brazilian variant was found in a sample from a resolved case in the Dryden area.

Cases of the UK variant have also been seen in the Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances and Atikokan health hubs.

NWHU says they are currently aware of active UK variant cases in Kenora, Fort Frances and Atikokan, but stress other variant cases may be in other communities as lab identification of variants is not possible for some samples.

“We have not seen any further spread from the Brazilian variant in the region, however, the UK variant is common in Ontario and further spread in our region is likely if prevention measures are not followed”, said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon.

All COVID-19 prevention measures protect from variants of concern and although variants spread more easily, the health unit says they spread in the same way as the non-variant form of COVID-19.

“You can prevent a COVID-19 infection by staying 2 metres away from anyone you do not live with and by only gathering with your household members. By doing so, we will lower case numbers and should begin to see some restrictions being lifted”, explained Dr. Young Hoon.

Since January 2021, the NWHU catchment area has had 56 positive lab results with confirmed variant of concern.

All lab results that are positive for COVID-19 are sent to be tested further for variants however, cases are often no longer infectious by the time results are known.

As per Ministry of Health guidelines, the health unit says all cases in the NWHU region are treated as variants out of precaution.

christineelliottapr29

Province Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility

, , , ,

Good news if you’re over 55 and been waiting to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting Friday, the provincial government is expanding eligibility to that age group including for Northwestern Health Unit led clinics.

An appointment can be booked through the government’s website.

The Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott also addressed vaccine shipment numbers. “An increased supply of vaccines means we will not be taking away vaccines from other public health regions. Their allocations will remain the same a previously planned, and will increase later in May.”

Ontario is anticipating more than 800,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine at the beginning of May.

That bodes well for the push to shrink the time between receiving the first and second COVID-19 vaccine.

Elliott also unveiled plans for adults over the age of 18. “We will continue to expand booking eligibility across the province, throughout the month of May with individuals aged 18 and older eligible to book through the provincial booking system as early as the week of May 24.”

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones points out they are working to get it to as many as possible, especially hospital workers, but it comes down to supply.

“Medical experts have told us repeatedly it is far better to vaccinate a larger percentage of the population, than to shrink that with the doses [by offering doses to fewer for second shot],” notes Jones.

The Solicitor General adds this strategy is based on the clear guidance of the National Advisory Council on Immunizations.

monte-mcnaughton-youtube

Paid Sick Leave Announced For Ontario

, , , , ,

Ontario is announcing a sick leave plan for workers impacted by COVID-19.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton explains the program would provide workers up to $200 for up to three days if they are feeling sick or need to get vaccinated.

He calls the program the best in the country noting, “This is more than the one day available to workers in Prince Edward Island and the two days available to workers in Quebec,” adding “This is a game-changer, and this will save lives.”

“Our action today means that if a warehouse worker is told to self-isolate she can do so without losing her paycheque,” said McNaughton.

If the legislation is passed, the program would be administered by the Workers Safety Insurance Board.

It would take effect as of April 19th and will run until September 25th.

 

32332108488_1f12a4aa85

Health Unit Investigating COVID Outbreak At Mine

, , , , , , ,

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Musselwhite mine, about 480kms north of Thunder Bay.

The local health unit tells us one person has tested positive, and many others are waiting confirmation of preliminary positive results, which came from rapid testing.

Everyone who had close contact with those identified are in isolation.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit adds it is working with mine management and Newmont Corporation to assess potential risk to others, and anyone outside the mine.

 

50238163818_37caf41d03_b

Derek Chauvin Guilty X3

, , , , , , ,

Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all three counts in the 2020 death of George Floyd.

Jurors reached the verdict after four hours of deliberation Monday and a few hours on Tuesday. Chauvin showed little reaction beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom.

The former Minneapolis Police officer plead not guilty to charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd’s death.

It will go down in American legal history with some of the most notorious trials like Rodney King and O.J. Simpson after the video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck causing violent protests throughout the United States.

It was also the beginning of the defund police movement in North America.

Chauvin is now in custody by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and will be sentenced in eight weeks.

Three other former Minneapolis police officers were also charged in Floyd’s death.

Their trial will be held later this year.

new-gold-mine

COVID-19 Outbreak Declared At New Gold Mine

, , , ,

The Emo area continues to be hit hard by COVID-19, as the Northwestern Health Unit has declared a workplace outbreak at New Gold Mine.

Three mine employees have tested positive so far and several other employees are waiting for test results.

A workplace outbreak is defined as two or more cases of COVID-19 who likely became infected at the workplace.

Anyone who is identified as a close contact will be contacted and given further instruction by the NWHU.

The health unit says employees at the mine can continue working if they do not have symptoms and must follow all control measures required by the workplace.

However, the health unit notes any staff who has or develops symptoms should immediately self-isolate and get tested at an assessment centre and not at the work site.

If the test result comes back as negative, health officials say the employee can return to work when symptoms have improved and those with a positive test will be contacted directly by NWHU with further instruction.

The health unit stresses it’s important that anyone in the Emo area with even one symptom of COVID-19 self-isolates and gets tested, noting there’s increased risk and widespread transmission is taking place.

doug-ford-cpac-april-16-2021

Stay-At-Home Order Extended

, , , , ,

Ontario is extending the stay-at-home order to combat the third wave of COVID-19.

Starting immediately, it’s being extended another two weeks, lasting until at least May 20..

Premier Doug Ford is announcing the latest restrictions after modelling showed the province could see 10,000 cases per day by the end of next month without tighter public health measures.

Ford says the province is “losing the battle” between contagious COVID-19 variants and the vaccines, but hopes this can turn the situation around.

In an effort to stop the virus from spreading, you won’t be allowed to gather outdoors with anyone outside your household starting 12:01 AM Saturday.

Starting on Monday, Ontario is tightening restrictions further.

Those include restricting non-essential travel into Ontario from the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec.

Checkpoints will be set up at the boundary.

The new rules give police the power to question anyone who’s outside their home about their purpose for being outside.

The Premier is also lowering capacity limits for grocery stores and pharmacies to 25% of their normal capacity.

The government also intends to implement the following public health and workplace safety measures effective Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.:

-Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household;
-Close all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector;
-Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions.
-In addition, effective Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is limiting the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors. Prohibiting social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.

prince-philip

Prince Philip Dies At 99

, , , , , , ,

Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 99.

Buckingham Palace says The Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

“Further announcements will [be] made in due course,” the palace said in a statement.

Prince Philip recently spent a month in the hospital and underwent a “successful procedure” for a pre-existing heart condition in early March.

In a short statement on Twitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Prince Philip as “a man of great purpose and conviction who was motivated by a sense of duty to others.”

“Prince Philip will be remembered as a decorated naval officer, a dedicated philanthropist, and a constant in the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The thoughts of all Canadians are with her and the entire Royal Family as they mourn this significant loss,” said Trudeau.

He says The Duke of Edinburgh will be remembered as a decorated naval officer and a dedicated philanthropist.

covid-levels-1

Month Long Lockdown Possible

, , , , ,

The Ontario government is expected to announce Thursday that it will implement an emergency brake and force the province into a shutdown in April.

The lockdown is expected to begin Saturday and will last at least one month.

Multiple reports say non-essential retail businesses can remain open with a 25 per cent capacity limit.

Big box stores would be limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Indoor dining would be prohibited at restaurants and gyms and barber shops would be closed.

A media conference has been planned for 12:30pm

 

covid-acadia-2

UK Variant Confirmed At Dryden Walmart Outbreak

, , , ,

The Northwestern Health Unit has been notified that the COVID-19 UK variant has been identified in a case related to the outbreak at Walmart in Dryden.

The health unit stresses variants of concern spread more easily, faster, and can result in more hospitalizations and deaths than the non-variant form of COVID-19.

With variant cases both at Dryden High School and now the Walmart outbreak, the health unit says the COVID-19 virus is believed to be spreading within the community across a wide range of age groups.

Officials say it’s important to note that the Walmart cases were infectious many weeks ago and avoiding the store now does not offer protection, but it’s likely that people who do not know they have COVID-19 are currently spreading it throughout the community.

NWHU urges anyone with even one symptom of COVID-19 to isolate, get tested, and remain isolated until you have a test result – even if you think it’s “just a cold”.

This news has implications for all residents in the area, “with the long weekend approaching, it is imperative that the public does not gather with anyone who they do not live with, and does not travel, even within the region unless it is for an essential purpose” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Young Hoon.

She continues, “the best way to prevent COVID-19 continues to be staying 2 metres from anyone you do not live with, washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask when in enclosed public spaces, and avoiding touching your face”.

NWHU warns that gatherings over the weekend could lead to dire outcomes for the community.

“By gathering with others without physical distancing, you are putting yourself and your friends and family at risk of death and also contributing to more strict measures being put in place,” warns Dr. Young Hoon.

Load More