Peterborough Public Health Receives $3 Million To Fight COVID-19 Efforts

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has received $3,043,300 from the Ontario Government to help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in a media conference at the King Street health office unit announced on Monday.

Dr. Rosana Salvaterra (pictured) will retire this September after 13 years of service. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made by MPP Dave Smith and was joined by Dr. Rosana Salvaterra and Larry Stinson, PPH Director of Operations.

The funding will cover two parts:

• $2,027,300 in relief funding to support ongoing efforts

• $1,015,000 COVID-19 mitigation to offset expenses incurred from previous work

“We are grateful for this one-time funding from the province to support our local COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “As we look ahead to resuming vital public health services while the pandemic continues to unfold, provincial funding will be essential to ensure Peterborough Public Health has the capacity to keep our community safe and healthy on many fronts.”

Dr. Salvaterra cautions the city of a possible fourth wave with doubling of new cases over the weekend she said.

She encourages that immunization is the most powerful tool against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Salvaterra wants to see 90 per cent of our eligible population get the necessary shots in the pandemic battle.

Larry Stinson (pictured) will act as the interim CEO before Dr. Thomas Piggott will assume Dr. Salvaterra’s role. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Stinson — who will become the interim CEO after Dr. Salvaterra’s retirement on Sept. 19 — says the government money to offset the increase that would have come to the municipalities. More than $1 million will help mitigate PPH’s funding from 25 to 30 per cent.

The money will also go towards school-based public registered nurses and a public health inspector practicum program.

Health unit staff and volunteers have delivered vaccinations across Peterborough County and surrounding Indigenous communities.

“More than 212,000 vaccine doses have been administered,” says Stinson. “More than 57,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 at least once. We’ve been able to successfully manage 52 outbreaks since the pandemic began.”

Nearly 75 per cent of local residents are protected from COVID-19 Stinson added.

Additionally, Smith announced that as of Aug. 1, the Ontario Government’s new Low-Income Senior’s Dental Care Program will expand.

The income eligibility thresholds for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program are being updated. In 2019, the Ontario government launched the Ontario Seniors Dental Care program to provide free routine dental care for eligible low-income seniors across the province.

“Peterborough-Kawartha has the highest number of seniors in Canada. They have put a lifetime of effort working, investing in our community and paying for the social services we all enjoy,” said Smith. “This program provides comprehensive, free dental care for our lower-income seniors. This expansion will offer the program to more,”

Since the launch of the Seniors Dental Care Program in 2019, over 50,000 Ontarians have enrolled in the program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Income thresholds are now updated for single Ontarians aged 65 and over from $19,300 to $22,200 and for couples with a combined annual income from $32,300 to $37,100.

This will allow roughly 7,000 more seniors to access the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.

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Peterborough Petes and OHL Expand Vaccination Policy To All Attendees

All Ontario Hockey League (OHL) attendees including fans, staff and media are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and follow any other safety protocols in any team’s arena announced by the league on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The league has expanded its current vaccination policy which originally applied to OHL community members. It will take effect on Oct. 7, 2021, for all OHL functions including all Peterborough Petes events such as team practices and games.

Children under 12 will require supervision from a fully vaccinated adult and will be required to follow all safety protocols.

The Petes host Sudbury Wolves, featuring first overall draft pick Quentin Musty for their home opener on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Trent University Announces Vaccine Mandate

Trent University has announced that as of September 7 anyone on campus must provide proof of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Photo courtesy of Trent University

Anyone who does not have two vaccinations will have to complete COVID testing before coming on campus. Exemptions will be allowed on medical or other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

To encourage student participation in this initiative, the names of all students who submit proof of their two vaccinations by September 7 will be included in a draw which will provide the winning student with free tuition for the fall semester.

In addition to requiring proof of vaccine Trent will be enforcing the mandatory use of face masks in indoor settings, health screening, enhanced ventilation and air filtration, robust cleaning and sanitization, on-campus testing, and wastewater surveillance. The University is also partnering with Public Health to host on-campus pop-up vaccine clinics for staff, faculty and students.

For more on Trent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic click here.

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Fleming Requiring Proof of Vaccination for All Students and Employees on Campus

Fleming College announced today that they are implementing a vaccination policy for the fall 2021 semester.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College

Everyone, including students, staff, faculty and visitors, will be required to have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by September 7 and the second dose by October 20 in order to access the programs and activities on Fleming campuses.

This policy will not impact the current plan for in-person and online program delivery for the September semester.

As part of this policy, Fleming will only accept COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. Proof of having received at least the first dose prior to Sept. 7 will be required in the form of a paper or digital receipt to access campus facilities.

“This decision is consistent with the Fleming Safe plan that we implemented at the onset of the pandemic and we believe this policy will provide the best possible protection and freedom to everyone at Fleming to pursue their academic, athletic and personal goals in a safe environment,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “Vaccination is an effective safeguard against future lockdowns and interruptions in learning, as the scientific evidence shows. Given the current spread of the virus and its negative impact on all healthcare services including the availability of non-COVID-19 related health services, we believe this policy is an important contribution to the communities we serve.”

Fleming will assist students in gaining access to vaccines through on-campus and local clinics. The College respects any student, staff, faculty or visitor who cannot be vaccinated on medical or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code. These individuals may request an accommodation.

For those without proof of vaccination, regular testing will be required. Fleming is committed to the protection of privacy, and any information gathered will be in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

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Peterborough Public Health Names Dr. Thomas Piggott New Medical Officer of Health

The Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health has announced that Dr. Thomas Piggott will serve as the area’s new Medical Officer of Health (MOH) starting December 1, 2021.

Dr. Piggott enjoys family time with his wife, a family physician, and their two young daughters. In their free time they all enjoy being engaged in their community and outdoor activities including hiking, running, bicycling, swimming, gardening, and camping. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health

Dr. Piggott is coming to the role of MOH/CEO of Peterborough Public Health with experience working at various levels of public health in Canada and Internationally. Most recently, Dr. Piggott has been Medical Officer of Health and VP lead for Population Health and Rural and Remote Health in the northern region of Labrador-Grenfell Health.

Dr. Piggott has experience in collaborative Indigenous public health in Canada and internationally. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he led a response in solidarity with Indigenous governments in Labrador for outbreak prevention and a fair vaccination rollout prioritizing Indigenous communities.

Prior to working with Labrador-Grenfell Health, Dr. Piggott worked as a field doctor with Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr. Piggott is a public health and preventive medicine specialist, and a practicing family physician who completed his Masters in Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and residency training at McMaster University.

“The Board of Health was very impressed with Dr. Piggott’s extensive track record in public health and we are confident he’ll serve our community with the care, passion and scientific expertise our residents have come to expect from their Medical Officer of Health,” said Andy Mitchell, Chair of the Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health (PPH). “We look forward to his leadership at this dynamic time in public health, both locally and provincially.”

The Board of Health has also confirmed coverage for the period between Dr. Rosana Salvaterra’s departure in late September and Dr. Piggott’s arrival on December 1.

Dr. Ian Gemmill, former Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Kingston-Frontenac-Lennox-Addington Public Health will provide medical direction to PPH, and Larry Stinson will serve as interim CEO. In addition, Donna Churipuy will serve as Incident Commander for the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity in PPH’s emergency response.

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Peterborough Petes Announce Partnership with Get a Shot to Take a Shot Campaign

The Petes and Peterborough Public Health have announced a new partnership today with the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign. The two-month long initiative is designed to promote vaccine uptake and protect Peterborough and the Peterborough County from COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign offers anyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine dose between August 9 and September 30 at a clinic run by Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, or a local pharmacy, a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Petes home game during the 2021-22 season.

“The Petes are excited to team up with Peterborough Public Health for the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot,’ campaign,” said Executive Director of Business Operations, Burton Lee. “We understand that the safest and quickest way to return to a hockey season with an arena full of cheering fans is dependent on vaccine uptake. It will be an honour to host hundreds of local fans who have done their part to keep the Peterborough community safe at games next season.”

Those who receive their first or second vaccine dose during this time period will be provided a QR code at their vaccination site to enter the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ contest.

A virtual draw will take place on September 30 where 250 names will be drawn. A total of 500 tickets will be awarded.

Of the ticket winners, five will be drawn for an opportunity to shoot the puck in the net from centre ice during the first intermission of an upcoming home game. The winner of the shootout will then get to enjoy an additional Petes home game in the Petes Executive Suite.

For more information about the contest visit www.gopetesgo.com. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and clinic locations visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Local Teacher Earns NYC Marathon Spot While Outpacing Mental Health

It is an opportunity very few people get but Julie Vallières has been selected as one of six Canadian teachers to run in the New York City Marathon in the fall.

Vallières has been helping her students battle mental health issues since 2015. She serves as the school’s cross-country and track and field coach. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vallières.

She was selected as part of Team Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) who pick 50 North American teachers as representatives.

Vallières submitted her video application to TCS with her story, how running helped her teaching and why she should be picked. She promoted running as a way to help with mental health issues her students were facing at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School.

“I’m glad I get to be with people with the same passion for running,” she said. “It’s nice to gain some mental strength from running long distances.”

TCS supports physical and mental health among children and provided Vallières and other selected teachers with integrated technology education resources for easier teaching.

She learned about Team TCS from Niels Walkau, a local colleague and friend who participated in the marathon two years prior.

Vallières constantly trains, running four to five times a week to prepare for the 26.2 mile-long marathon. She has participated in several running events or marathons as part of her training regime.

The event is not set in stone for Canadians since border travelling is still in limbo from the pandemic. Vallières is hopeful that the world will have enough normalcy to allow her to participate.

“I’m hoping by then, everything will be good,” she explained. “I’m keeping a positive mindset here and we’ll be out of the woods with vaccines and stuff.”

Vallières plans to bring her family to watch her run at the marathon. Her children are eligible to participate in a 5-kilometre run, the day prior to the main event.

Last year, the NYC marathon was postponed but Vallières was able to earn a medal in their digitized version through an app.

“It will be a great experience for all of us,” she said. “It’s about the people that support the community. I know it’s a great experience and I want to be able to share it with my family.”

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Peterborough Businesses Offered Free Rapid Screening COVID-19 Tests

Another step to battle COVID-19 is here as small and medium-sized businesses can access free rapid antigen tests from the Ontario Government.

MPP Dave Smith led the rapid test program for Ontario since March. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The launch of the Peterborough-Kawartha’s rapid testing initiative was announced by MPP Dave Smith with members of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement Area on July 16.

Businesses with under 150 employees can sign up at the Peterborough Chamber website and can receive the testing kits within 24 hours.

Smith gave a private demonstration just outside his Water Street constituency office Thursday afternoon for PTBOCanada. The test is done with a swab that entered the sinus area through the nose, twisting three times for a sample before being combined in an antigen solution. The liquid is placed onto a testing kit and operates similarly to a pregnancy test.

Results take no more than 15 minutes but typically take three to five minutes according to Smith. He recommends that businesses test twice a week.

“It doesn't show if you are infected with COVID-19, that's what the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test does," said Smith. "What it shows is that you have the COVID-19 virus in your sinuses and you have the opportunity to spread it to someone else when you breathe."

Anyone testing positive or inconclusive must book a lab-based PCR test as soon as possible within 48 hours of the test.

Two test results indicating that the COVID-19 virus is not present in the sinuses. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Being able to test in a parking lot before employees enter businesses is a game-changer according to Smith.

“It could potentially prevent the likelihood of a fourth wave in just a couple of minutes,” he said. “You can find out if someone has COVID-19 before they actually enter the workplace If you stop COVID in the parking lot, if it never goes into the workplace and there's no chance of spread amongst your staff then you have a safe place to work."

“The testing kits can provide a significant level of safety for local employers and their staff. I would encourage all employers to look at the rapid testing program as another tool in their COVID toolbox,” said Stuart Harrison, President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses and organizations that register can order a minimum of 25 individual tests by going to https://www.peterboroughchamber.ca/rapid-screening.html.

This portal will enable businesses to order their kits and select a time and date to pick them up from MPP Dave Smith’s Office located on Water Street.

Over 14 million people in Ontario have been tested with the kit so far which is more than any other province in Canada combined with just under one million according to Smith.

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