Peterborough Public Health Warns Heat May Increase Risk Of West Nile Virus

Peterborough Pubic Health is warning the public that with consistent warm weather, Peterborough can expect an increase in the mosquito population.

Stock Photo.

Late July to early August is when the region will face its hottest weather of the year, averaging around 24-27 degrees Celsius, with risks of extreme temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.

According to Public Health Ontario, warmer weather leads to more mosquitoes that can acquire West Nile Virus, increasing the chance of human exposure to the virus.

“Research shows that when temperatures are warmer throughout the year, there is a higher frequency of mosquito pools that are positive for West Nile Virus,” said Joshua Laite, Student, Vector Borne Disease Program. “When venturing into an area with a lot of mosquitoes, keep your skin covered up as much as possible to prevent bites.”

PPH staff trap mosquitoes throughout the city and county from early June to late September. Since the start of trapping this year, staff have collected more than 6,000 mosquitoes for testing.

To-date, no mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Public Health Ontario reports that in 2021 there were 105 positive mosquito pools and 23 confirmed or probable human cases of West Nile virus in Ontario.

Locally, five human cases of West Nile virus have been reported since 2012, with the most recent case being reported in 2020. Neighbouring regions including Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health have also reported cases in 2019 and 2020.

Approximately 80 per cent of those infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic. Of the 20 per cent that do show symptoms, most experience mild illness with symptoms such as:

• Fever

• Headache

• Body aches

• Fatigue

• Skin rash

• Occasionally, vomiting and nausea

However, about 1 per cent of those infected with West Nile virus may experience severe illness involving the central nervous system. In its most serious state, West Nile virus infection can cause an inflammation in the brain, otherwise known as encephalitis.

To prevent:

• Always empty standing water on property to remove the habitat where mosquitoes lay their eggs. This includes flower pots, wheel barrows, pool covers, old tires, garbage/recycling cans and other places that might inadvertently create a puddle or body of still water.

• Fill in low depressions in your lawn to prevent puddles.

• Change water in bird baths at least once a week.

• Clean out dense bushes and shrubs where mosquitoes can rest.

• Turn over compost piles on a regular basis.

• Ensure that window and door screens fit tightly and do not have holes.

Cover up:

• Stay indoors at dusk and dawn because mosquitoes are most active during these times.

• Use a bug repellent containing DEET, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Cover up with light coloured, long clothing. This includes long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Also, wear footwear that covers exposed skin.

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Rogers Faces Nationwide Outages Affecting Cell Service And Debit Machines

UPDATE: 10:42 a.m. July 8, 2022.

Rogers and Fido customers around Canada have reported mobile and internet service outages on Friday.

Stock Photo.

Outages are affecting Rogers and Fido mobile phones, debit and credit machines, telephones and the internet.

Many stores are currently operating as cash only, according to reports.

Some City of Peterborough services, including payment systems, may not be available at this time.

Email access or certain software applications may not be available to City staff. Phone service at most City facilities is available.

The Peterborough County-City Landfill can accept cash or customers who have accounts at the landfill.

Peterborough Public Library online and digital resources may not be available during the outage.

As of Friday morning, Rogers has issued a formal announcement according to their Twitter:

“We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. We are aware of issues currently affecting our networks and our teams are fully engaged to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We will continue to keep you updated as we have more information to share.”

Rogers’s outage map is active and is available online for anyone to view.

There is no estimated time of restoration.

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Warning After What Is Suspected Contaminated Fentanyl Sold

Peterborough Public Health issued a warning following an increase in suspected drug poisonings, on Tuesday.

File Photo.

Peterborough Public Health detected increases in opioid-related Paramedic Calls for Service and drug-related Emergency Department Visits on Monday. 

There were 4 opioid-related Paramedic Calls for Service and 4 drug-related Emergency Department Visits, representing a total of 5 unique events.  In the last week (June 14-June 20), there have been 17 drug-related Emergency Department visits, and 17 Paramedic Calls for Service. 

This is thought to be the result of a product recently sold as “fentanyl” which may be contaminated with toxic substances of inconsistent or increased potency. 

This increase has prompted Peterborough Public Health to issue a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harms in the community.

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Otonabee Conservation Urges Caution Around Water After Unusually High Water Levels Along The Trent Severn

A water safety update has been issued for the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW). High water flows are possible, though flooding is not expected.

Photo by Luke Best.

Over the past 20 days, watersheds draining into the Kawartha Lakes from the north have received 100 to 200 per cent of the normal total amount of rainfall for this time of year, causing unusually higher-than-normal water levels and flows along the TSW.

As of Monday, Locks 1 – Trenton through to Locks 19 – Scotts Mills and Locks 22 - Nassau through Lock 27 – Young’s Point are closed to navigation until further notice. This partial closure will protect boater safety and help to prevent shoreline erosion and property damage. Boaters are requested to lower their speeds and watch their wake.

Residents and visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution on and around the water because water is an extremely powerful force that should never be underestimated. Caregivers are reminded that children and pets should not be allowed to approach the edge of waterbodies/watercourses. KEEP S.A.F.E. - Stay Away From Edges of riverbanks/lakeshores as they will be slippery and the banks may collapse because they are undercut.

Area water information can be monitored on-line at:

1) Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

2) Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data

3) Otonabee Conservation Precipitation and Water Level Data

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Local Woman Bringing Awareness To Individuals Mental Health Through New Business Discovery Bands

Jodilynn White started Discovery Headbands after retiring from policing due to an ongoing battle with mental health, she hopes that the brand brings awareness to individuals struggling with and overcoming their own mental health conditions.

All she ever wanted to be was a police officer, that’s what White says.

She started her career as a police officer young, but soon realized there were things going on mentally that were not ok.

White was signed off work by her doctor, as she was considered a risk to herself and to her coworkers. She would soon be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, severe anxiety and major depression.

This happened in 2017 and she has not returned to work as a police officer since.

“I was trying to figure out what I could do to make myself feel accomplished,” said White. “I started making headbands. I’ve always worn headbands, I found them comforting when going through my treatments - like a security blanket.”

She says when she realized she could make them herself she thought she could use that skill to raise awareness surrounding mental illness.

Each collection of headbands is inspired by an individual with their own mental illness journey.

People are invited to submit their stories on the Discovery Headbands website and after review, white will create a collection inspired by them and launch it shortly after.

Since April 2022 White has launched two collections. One inspired by her own story and one inspired by ‘Vanessa’ who worked as a firefighter and paramedic.

Soon, White will launch a collection inspired by ‘Mark’ a military Veteran who completed a tour in Afghanistan. Mark’s collection will be for sale on Sunday.

Mark, Vanessa and Jodilynn’s full stories can be read on discoveryheadbands.com.

All collections can be viewed and purchased at discoveryheadbands.com

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Lotto Max Draw Major Winning Ticket Believed To Be Sold In Peterborough

According to OLG, tickets worth $1 Million in Tuesday nights Lotto Max draw were sold in Peterborough.

Photo by Durham Radio News.

If Peterborough residents purchased a ticket for Tuesday nights draw, OLG suggests they check them.

According to OLG, 14 ticket holders in Canada also won all or a portion of Maxmillions draws, nine of them being in Ontario.

Visit olg.ca for winning numbers.

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Peterborough PSW Facing Charges After Incident Involving Fraudulent Cheque

A 40-year-old Peterborough woman is facing several charges after an incident involving a fraudulent cheque.

Photo by Luke Best.

Recently, the Peterborough Police fraud investigator was made aware of an incident in which suspicious activity was noticed on their 92-year-old family member’s bank account.

Through investigation it was discovered that a cheque had been used and deposited to the account of a personal support worker who had been in the home.

Further investigation discovered a second cheque given to the accused’s child by a family member that was altered to reflect a different amount.

As a result, 40-year-old Darlene Wellington of Peterborough was arrested and charged with:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 in Canada

  • Possession of a forged document with intent

The accused’s name in this case is being released because there is concern that there may be other victims in the community. 

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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Peterborough Public Library is Yarn Bombed For National Deafblind Awareness Month

Roughly 130 squares crocheted together is the newest art piece for Peterborough Public Library as they were ‘yarn bombed’ for National Deafblind Awareness Month on Thursday.

Sarah Grimbly, Deafblind communications coordinator (left) with Mayor Diane Therrien (right) with the roughly 130 crocheted squares hanging on the left side of the Peterborough Public Library upon walking in the main entrance. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Yarn bombing (also known as knitfiti) is a form of street art where yarn is knit, crocheted or wrapped and is displayed in a public space.

The yarn squares were made by people serviced by Deaf Blind Ontario Services (a company that provides services to deaf and/or blind), knitting groups and volunteers. The company’s campaign is in its second year to celebrate those who are blind and/or deaf.

“The individuals we support have both hearing and vision loss and heavily rely on their tactile senses,” said Sarah Grimbly, DeafBlind communications coordinator. “Knitting, crocheting, the feeling of the yarn, that's all very tactile and so it was a great way to get them participating in the initiative as well.”

Mayor Diane Therrien says it is an initiative that Peterborough is happy to get behind and will be effective in helping create dialogue and awareness for deaf and blind people.

“The Peterborough Library is a community hub, there's a lot of people that come through here so the more awareness we can bring to it, the better,” she said. “It's a great conversation piece that people will talk about and spread the word to friends and family.”

Several crocheted projects have yarn-bombed cities all over the province. They exist in parks, downtown spaces, public buildings and more. Participating cities include London, Innisfil and Ottawa alongside Peterborough.

The knitted project remains on the library wall for the month of June.

National Deafblind Awareness Month happens every June since it is the birth month of famed author Helen Keller, known for having vision and hearing loss.

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Ontario Law Allowing Employees To Disconnect After Hours Begins Today

Ontario’s ‘Right To Disconnect’ policy, allowing employees the right to ignore any and all work-related communication after scheduled hours, came into effect on Thursday.

Photo by Luke Best.

This policy was inspired by a 2016 law giving workers in France the right to turn off electronic work devices outside of business hours.

Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021, requires employers with 25 or more people on staff as of Jan. 1, 2022 to have a policy as of Thursday that outlines how they will ensure workers are able to disconnect from the workplace after hours.

Employers are now required to provide their staff with a written copy of the policy, which applies to all employees.

According to The Working for Workers Act, disconnecting means “not engaging in work-related communications, including emails, telephone calls, video calls or sending or reviewing other messages, to be free from the performance of work.”.

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Peterborough Public Health Has Issued A Drug Poisoning Alert

Peterborough Public Health issued a warning following an increase in suspected drug poisonings, on Wednesday.

Photo by Luke Best.

From Tuesday - Wednesday, PPH detected increases in drug-related Emergency Department Visits. Thus far, there have been 5 drug-related Emergency Department Visits.

In the last week (May 26 – June 1), there have been 15 drug-related Emergency Department visits, and 7 Paramedic Calls for Service.

It is understood that not everyone experiencing a drug poisoning will call 911 or will attend the Emergency Department. This increase has prompted Peterborough Public Health to issue a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harms in the community.

PPH is reminding the public that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances. Beware that using even a small amount of drug can be fatal. Drug poisoning from toxic substances may last for hours and make it hard to wake up an individual. Give Naloxone. This may improve breathing, but may not help the individual regain consciousness. It is important to call 911, and continue to monitor breathing until medical help arrives.

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