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Dr. Kieran Moore

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COVID-19 Outbreak Reporting Changes Coming

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The province is changing the way that parents are notified of a potential COVID-19 outbreak.

Ahead of the return of in-class learning on Monday, January 17th, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Wednesday that any notification will go out when approximately 30 per cent of students in the school are absent.

It will come in the form of a joint letter from the local medical officer of health and the principal.

Moore stressed that the threshold will not automatically trigger a school closure, but a pivot to remote learning could be considered.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce unveiled two COVID-19 rapid tests will be provided to each student and staff member, which equals 3.9 million rapid tests to school boards across Ontario.

An additional 1.2 million rapid tests are expected to be distributed during the week of January 24.

On Tuesday Ontario unveiled the elimination of reporting cases and only utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests for students and staff who become symptomatic at school.

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Ontario Measures For Return To In-Person Learning

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Gearing up for the resumption of in-class learning next week.

In a emailed statement to Acadia News, a spokesperson for the Education Minister stressed that there are improvements to ventilation, personal protective equipment and vaccinations coming from Queen’s Park:

We have now shipped 9.1 million non-fitted N95 masks for staff and over 4 million three-ply masks for students, and will regularly send new shipments over the coming weeks and months, with masking being mandatory within Ontario schools.

We have accelerated access to booster shots for education and child care staff by standing up over 10 more clinics in the past several days alone, in addition to providing access through mass-vaccination sites, pharmacies and other dedicated clinics.

We are deploying an additional 3,000 standalone HEPA filter units to schools boards on top of the existing 70,000 HEPA filter units and other ventilation devices already in schools.

We are continuing take home PCR testing eligibility for symptomatic elementary and secondary students, and education staff, and are working to make more rapid antigen tests available to schools and child care centres.

The province unveiled changes Tuesday in the schools, which includes the elimination of reporting cases and only utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests for students and staff who become symptomatic at school.

In the meantime, Ontario’s Health Minister is explaining some of the rationales for re-opening the province’s schools next week.

Christine Elliott says part of it was to get the teachers ready.

“One thing that we did need was extra time in order to be able to have the teachers be able to come in for their second dose and in some cases their booster doses as well,” says Elliott.

Elliott adds they were waiting for the rapid tests and the PPE to arrive before they re-opened the schools.

“We also needed to get the rapid tests in from the federal government. They are just starting to come in now. We’ve also received millions more in masks…the N95, unfitted masks that are going into schools. So some of it we just needed a bit more time to get those provisions in place.”

Elliott says they are taking every step they possibly can take to make sure schools are safe for the children to return to.

Stephen Lecce is expected to unveil more alongside the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore on Wednesday.

(With Files From Tim Davidson: Kenora)

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January 5th Back To School

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Delaying the start to in-person learning in 2022.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced Thursday that the start of the 2022 calendar will be on Wednesday, January 5th.

Moore said the province put the two day delay in to allow time to deploy additional safety measures, including non-fit-tested N95 masks for staff in schools and licensed child care settings in addition to a supply of high-quality three-ply cloth masks.

School boards will also get an additional 3,000 standalone HEPA filter units.

Only low-contact indoor sports and safe extra-curricular activities will be permitted when schools return.

Capacity Limits

The province is also further restricting capacity limits to indoor areas of the following setting as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, December 31st:

  • Spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g., sporting events)
  • Concert venues
  • Theatres

Testing, Isolation Requirements

Ontario will also only provide publicly-funded polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for high-risk individuals who are symptomatic and/or are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including for the purposes of confirming a COVID-19 diagnosis to begin treatment, and workers and residents in the highest risk settings, as well as vulnerable populations.

Those who have a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.

Individuals with COVID-19 who are vaccinated, as well as children under 12, will be required to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms. Their household contacts are also required to isolate with them. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed. Non-household contacts are required to self-monitor for ten days.

Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for 10 days.

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Province Changing LTC Visit Rules

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Temporary measures are being enacted by the province in long-term care homes.

Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, December 30th, access by general visitors will be paused with designated caregivers able to still visit and day absences for all residents for social purposes will be paused.

The province is also requiring all staff caring for a resident with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 to wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator.

“We know these measures are difficult for residents and families, but we must stand strong to protect our most vulnerable, which includes residents of long-term care homes,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage everyone to get their booster shot as soon as possible so we can keep everyone safe with the added layer of protection that the vaccine provides.”

On December 14th Ontario tightened COVID-19 restrictions in the long-term care sector which included all general visitors needing to be fully vaccinated to enter.

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Province Changes Gathering Sizes, Capacity Limits

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The provincial government is enacting further measures in the fight against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Alongside Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore Friday, Premier Doug Ford enacted the following measures will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 19th:

  • Indoor settings, except religious facilities, will be limited to 50 per cent capacity
  • The number of patrons permitted to sit at a table will be limited to 10 people and patrons will be required to remain seated in restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs
  • Bars and restaurants, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs will be required to close by 11:00 p.m. with take out and delivery will be permitted
  • Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at sporting events; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
  • The sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10:00 p.m. and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11:00 p.m.
  • Maximum allowable size of indoor social gatherings will be 10 while 25 people can gather outdoors
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Moving Up COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility

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The province is ramping up the eligibility for booster doses against COVID-19.

In response to the Omicron variant, Premier Doug Ford announced Wednesday a pair of measures, including allowing anyone 18 and older to make an appointment for the third shot starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 20th.

A three-month interval has to have passed since your second dose in order to be eligible.

Bookings can be made through the province’s online portal, through either the Thunder Bay District or Northwestern Health Unit‘s website or at select pharmacies.

The province is also implementing a capacity limit at certain indoor venues starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday December 18th, including:

  • Facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities
  • Entertainment facilities such as concert venues, theatres and cinemas
  • Racing venues
  • Meeting and event spaces
  • Studio audiences in commercial film and television production
  • Museums
  • Galleries
  • Aquariums
  • Zoos
  • Science centres
  • Landmarks
  • Historic sites
  • Botanical gardens and similar attractions
  • Casinos
  • Bingo halls and other gaming establishments
  • Fair, rural exhibitions, and festivals
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Dr. Moore Discusses LTC, Virtual Learning

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The province is tightening COVID restrictions in the long-term care sector.

One of the most significant changes, that comes into effect immediately, sees all general visitors to a long-term care home needing to be fully vaccinated to enter.

The Ministry will also direct all homes to increase infection prevention and control audits.

The measures are being called temporary, and were a result of consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Adding restrictions are in response to an increase in transmission of COVID-19 across the province because of the Omicron variant.

“This means even if it is less severe, with so many people infected, there may be significant demands on the health care system,” explained Dr. Moore. “Strengthening public health measures in our long-term care homes and retirement homes is critical to protecting our most vulnerable against the omicron variant.”

Testing of staff, students, volunteers, and caregivers will be required twice a week, regardless of their vaccination status. Recent data shows that 99 per cent of those in these groups are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Strict health measures within these settings, including masking, distancing, and increased cleaning methods will be enforced.

Dr. Moore was also asked Tuesday about the potential return to virtual learning as we see an increase in cases across Ontario.

“It’s my hope that we keep schools open as long as we can,” stated Dr. Moore “You heard out medical officer of health mantra of first to open last to close. We are reviewing every protocol that we have to make our schools even safer in the face of omicron, and we will be announcing some of those recommendations in the coming days to keep our schools safe.”

“I’m so happy that over 35 per cent of the 5 to 11’s have been immunized, thank you to those families and those children that have come forward. We absolutely are still prioritizing children 5 to 11 to get their first doses, and that strategy will continue for the coming weeks and months.”

Another update from the province regarding the virus is expected on Thursday.

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Ontario Now Testing For The Omicron Variant

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Ontario’s Chief Medical of Health says they have contacted over 375 people that have returned from seven countries in southern Africa.

That after two positive cases of the Omicron variant were discovered over the weekend in the Ottawa area.

Dr. Kieran Moore says their goal is to make sure they limit the spread of the variant.

“So it is complex. It involves international, national, provincial, and local partnerships, but from my vantage point it is working and has worked all weekend in a seamless fashion,”

Dr. Moore says they are awaiting tests from four more people to find out if they have the Omicron variant.

“We are investigating other cases so I would not be surprised if we find more in Ontario because we have a very robust surveillance system…a great testing capacity.”

Dr. Moore says the two positive cases for the Omicron variant flew into the airport in Montreal from Nigeria and were tested there.

 

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More In Ontario Can Register For A Booster Dose Saturday

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The province is expanding the eligibility for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting Saturday, November 6th at 8:00 a.m. you’ll be able to book the third shot if you fall into one of these categories:

  • People aged 70 and older
  • Health-care workers, essential caregivers in congregate settings
  • Those who received both doses of AstraZeneca
  • First Nations people and their non-Indigenous household members

To qualify, between six and eight months needs to have passed since your second dose.

The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Wednesday that this decision aligns with recommendations made by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Bookings can be made through the province’s online portal, through either the Thunder Bay District or Northwestern Health Unit‘s website or at select pharmacies.

Ontario is looking for a broader eligibility for the booster dose starting in January 2022.

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Province Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions In Certain Settings

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You’ll be able to enjoy full capacity at particular indoor and outdoor settings.

The province cautiously lifted the limits where proof of vaccination is required, in addition to outdoor locations that have a capacity below 20,000.

100 per cent capacity will be allowed as of Saturday, October 9th at 12:01 a.m.

  • Concert venues, theatres and cinemas
  • Spectator areas of facilities for sports and recreational fitness (would not include gyms, personal training)
  • Meeting and event spaces (indoor meeting and event spaces will still need to limit capacity to the number that can maintain physical distancing)
  • Horseracing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues
  • Commercial film and television productions with studio audiences.

Officials note that public health and workplace safety measures will remain in effect for these settings, including face coverings, screening and the collecting of patron information to support contact tracing.

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