Peterborough Public Health Advises That Now Is The Time To Prepare For Possible Arrival Of COVID-19 In Area

While there are still no local cases and the risk of severe illness remains low, Peterborough Public Health is advising organizations and local residents that now is the time to get ready for the arrival of COVID-19 in our area.

As such, Peterborough Public Health has updated its website with clear steps residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus.

“Since there isn’t a vaccine developed yet, we will be mostly relying on behaviour changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We are just now at the tipping point where non-travel related transmission may start to occur in Ontario. Peterborough-area residents are known for their ability to pull together in demanding situations, so we are counting on everyone to do their part and protect their families and our most vulnerable groups from COVID-19.”

Some of the steps Peterborough Public Health recommends residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus include…

• For individuals and families, their focus should be on personal practices such as proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, not sharing water bottles, straws, etc., and staying home when sick. If you get sick with respiratory symptoms and think you may have COVID 19, call Peterborough Public Health at 705-743- 1000, ext. 401 to speak with a nurse, or after business hours, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

• For businesses and organizations, now is the time to complete Continuity of Operations plans in case of high absenteeism, consider cross-training staff for essential roles, and increase cleaning of workspaces. Please read Information for Workplaces on the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

• For those considering travel abroad, please visit the Government of Canada website for current travel advisories.

“Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are the ones at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID- 19,” adds Dr. Salvaterra. “With our high population of seniors and many local residents suffering the effects of poor health due to low-income, we will be working closely with the partner agencies who support them to put in place as many protective factors as possible.”

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.

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Peterborough-Based Health Food Startup Chimp Treats Just Landed Deal With Loblaws

The cool Peterborough-based health food startup Chimp Treats will have its frozen fruit product “Nicecream” hit a wave of Loblaws locations across Ontario starting on September 5th.

Nicecream will hit shelves across select Loblaws stores including the GTA, Ottawa, London and Barrie, and the next wave of locations will be in Québec in Loblaws’ Provigo Le Marché stores. After that, Chimp Treats aims to continue adding new locations until they reach all Loblaws stores across Canada by May 2019.

The team behind Chimp Treats: (left to right) Whitney, Brooke and Jillian.

The announcement is the latest for a company that has had huge momentum since launching just one year ago on the market. They are one of the fastest growing natural food brands in Canada.

Founder and CEO, Brooke Hammer, 23, launched Nicecream in 2017 and has since expanded coast-to-coast with niche retailers such as Whole Foods Market and Healthy Planet.

While attending Trent University in Peterborough, Hammer developed an innovative manufacturing process that allowed her to create the fruit-only frozen dessert on a large-scale, commercial basis. Since entering the market, the entrepreneur has continued to reach new stores and locations along with growing her team.

“It is an incredible time for innovative, start-up companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods  space,” says Hammer. “Companies like Loblaws are open to bringing in more innovative products by small brands to meet consumer demand.”

“Getting picked up by a national retailer like Loblaws is the ultimate milestone for any company in the consumer and packaged goods industry,” adds Rosalea Terry, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist for the Innovation Cluster, where Chimp Treats is housed. “They are on their way to becoming a mainstream brand.”

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Dr. Doug’s New Centre Peterborough Max Living Chiropractic Centre To Have Celebration September 19th

Dr. Doug’s Family Chiropractic Centre has been a household name in Peterborough for 18 years.

Owner Dr. Doug Lukinuk has made massive contributions to this community through his support of numerous local charities and events, and was instrumental in raising $250,000 that helped build the basketball park at Bethune and Hunter Streets.

Dr. Doug pictured with a client

On September 19th, Dr. Doug's centre will offically reopen its doors under its new name Peterborough Max Living Chiropractic Centre with a community celebration from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will include Mayor Bennett and other dignitaries doing a ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m.

They are opening with an extensive roster of new and expanded services. These new services transform the clinic into a multi-disciplinary centre to serve the entire community event better.

New services include wellness service, workshops and fitness classes. Dr. Doug’s vision to make Peterborough the “healthiest city in Canada” is now shared with and executed by many other professional practitioners and staff.

Dr. Doug and his team invite the community to join in the celebrations on September 19th. The clinic will be open for tours, demos and refreshments, and the first 50 people to register here receive a free gift.

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PRHC Opens Barrier-Free Downtown Clinic For Patients With Opioid And Alcohol Addictions

Peterborough Regional Heath Centre (PRHC) has opened the area’s first Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic, which provides expedited, barrier-free treatment for patients who are addicted to alcohol or opioids.
 
The downtown clinic (159 King St., Suite 302) is staffed by PRHC physicians and registered nurses (RNs). No booked appointment or physician referral is necessary, although referrals from doctors, nurses, social workers, addiction counselors and community providers are welcome.

“Our Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic provides immediate access to lifesaving treatment by offering same-day counselling and addiction medication, and prescription therapies,” says Dr. Jim McGorman, an Emergency Department physician with PRHC who is now also treating patients at the new clinic.

“This care model has been shown to help save lives by engaging patients with both short- and long-term therapies as soon as they are ready to pursue those treatments," Dr. McGorman adds.

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine model is designed to initiate therapy for opioid or alcohol addiction and then triage clients to the most appropriate ongoing care provider. It is not intended to replace or duplicate the care provided by a family physician or a treatment clinic. 
 
The RAAM clinic has been operating in its downtown location at 159 King St. Suite 302 (co-located with PARN) since March 5th. It is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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