Instructions Issued To Dining Establishments For Patron Information Collection

Peterborough Public Health has issued instructions to dining establishments on collecting diner information due to recent large-scale COVID-19 exposures in the community announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

These instructions, effective immediately, enhance the provincial requirements and are directed toward owners, operators and persons responsible for food premises with indoor and/or outdoor dining areas according to the press release.

Names, phone numbers, location of dining establishment and server name are the information dining establishments are urged to collect.

Collection of patron information is mandatory under O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and the Roadmap Exit Step.

As a result of recent large-scale exposures and insufficient patron contact records, Peterborough Public Health continues to follow a significant number of people who have been deemed high-risk contacts of a person with COVID-19. Two of the recent large exposures occurred at two different local food premises.

“Case management and contact tracing are essential components of our local COVID-19 response to prevent transmission and protect our community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “These instructions, which ask operators to use the template that we have created for the collection of patron information, will help to ensure that sufficient and thorough details of exposure are provided to our office, which will allow for efficient and timely follow-up, when large-scale exposures occur. And I want to remind everyone choosing to dine out that you must provide accurate contact information to the operator. It won’t work if the data is wrong.”

Dr. Salvaterra noted that these instructions are an extension of a requirement that currently exists in the legislation governing Step Three of the current provincial restrictions.

The instructions aim to prescribe the exact information that restaurants should be collecting for patrons who remain onsite to dine. The instructions do not apply to food premises that require patrons to order and pay for their food, prior to sitting at a table such as cafeterias and fast food establishments.

Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health advised the community that the Instructions are mandatory and enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).

“Public Health Inspectors are educating restaurant operators to ensure that they are aware of the importance of adequate record-keeping and to ensure that these Instructions are implemented within their establishments,” she said.

Ingram noted businesses are not the only ones that could face consequences for non-compliance.

“It’s important for the community to know that not only business owners and operators be charged but for failing to complement these instructions but customers themselves can be charged with obstruction under the Reopening Ontario Act,” she added.

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Ontario Government Releases Additional Vaccine Passports Details

With just over a week before vaccine certifications are required to access several settings, the Ontario Government has released details on the program, exceptions and consequences for non-compliance announced in an online livestream on Tuesday.

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Starting Sept. 22, proof of vaccination for at least 14 days and photo identification is required to enter non-essential businesses and other settings. It is not needed to attend retail stores, places of worship, banks, salons, and outdoor settings.

Employees are encouraged to match the name and date of birth listed on the receipt with the ID information. The receipt must have the second dose listed when checked.

Valid forms of ID are a driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, Ontario photo card or other government-issued identification, Indian status/Indigenous membership card or a permanent resident card.

Vaccine receipts are currently available online to be printed or can be downloaded onto your mobile device, computer or tablet.

Proof does not apply to children under 12 and anyone unvaccinated due to medical exemptions.

On Oct. 22, a free enhanced vaccine certification app will be available with a unique QR code to provide proof of vaccination conveniently and quickly. Ontario will launch a new app for convenient vaccine verification.

The enhanced vaccine certificate and QR code verification app are on track to be released according to Kaleed Rasheed, associate minister of digital government.

Businesses can download a free app to scan and verify QR codes to see if residents can enter or not based on their vaccination status.

“Our made-in-Ontario app will make it quicker and easier for businesses to confirm that a person's vaccine certificate is valid," said Rasheed.

For anyone without a smartphone, QR codes with and enhanced paper vaccine certificates will be issued by the Ontario government (or can call 1-833-943-3900 if you do not have access to a printer or computer).

Individuals who do not comply with screening or present false documents are fined starting at $750 and $1,000 for businesses under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Additionally, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario chief medical officer of health announced the province will begin offering third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The does is for sufficient protection due to a waning immune response to vaccines including immunocompromised people. The decision came after a recent recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

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YMCA Requires COVID Vaccinations for Staff and Visitors

The YMCA will require all staff, visitors and members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access their grounds and facilities in a press release announced on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The centre is following the Government of Ontario recommendations and will take effect on Sept. 22.

The mandate includes Employment Services clients at the Balsillie Family Branch where full vaccinations (two doses plus 14 days) and proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access are required.

The organization’s goal is to safely serve communities in program settings that meet and in some cases exceed public-health requirements for infection, prevention and control as stated in the release.

The YMCA is implementing a Mandatory Vaccine Policy for all Staff and Volunteers.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have continuously put safety first, going above and beyond what has been recommended,” said David Allen, President & CEO, YMCA of Central East Ontario.

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Smile Cookie Campaign Supports Peterborough Regional Health Centre For Mental Health

The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign will support mental health care that will leave no frowns for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Thursday.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners lined up outside the main entrance at PHRC with Smile cookies and signs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Staff and Tim Hortons owners gathered outside the PHRC main entrance to make the announcement during Tim Hortons’ 25th anniversary of the Smile Cookie Campaign.

The annual fundraiser will run from Sept. 13-19 where the "Smile” cookies can be bought for one dollar apiece where all proceeds will go to the PHRC Foundation and mental health care.

You can purchase them in-store or by online pre-order by visiting PRHC’s website, printing the form and dropping it off at a participating Tim Hortons location.

Ryan Graham, Tim Hortons owner says the Smile Cookie campaign is a great way for their stores and customers to give back to their communities.

“Over the past 25 years, the Smile Cookie campaign has raised more than $60 million for charities, hospitals and community programs across the country - with a record-breaking $110 million in 2020, he said. “We believe it’s never been more important to make sure that people in our communities have access to these services close to home.

Melinda Wall (left) has been the director of mental health services since Jan. 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Melinda Wall, PHRC director of mental health services expressed her happiness that mental health is being taken more seriously than it was in years past.

"Ten to 20 years ago, you wouldn't have seen a large campaign of this scale for mental health and addictions,” she said. “I think we have come leaps and bounds and are continuing to progress and just making it more something people can talk about and feel like we can rally behind and support our community."

The money will go towards several projects to help expand mental health services since there has been a spike in mental health patient admissions during the last decade according to Wall.

“One of the projects being key is our Crisis Unit,” she explained. “We are doubled in volume in the last 10 years and the space needs to be expanded. That's our number one campaign and additional outdoor space through our courtyard for our patient unit."

Leslie Heighway has been president and CEO for the PRHC Foundation for almost a decade. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO said she was honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Tim Hortons fundraiser.

"We're just so thrilled. You can see the amount of engagement there is today with all of our team members with mental health services and all of the Tim Hortons owners,” she explained. “We couldn't be happier that we're going to invest these funds in PRHC and mental health in particular."

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Dr. Rosana Salvaterra Becomes New Alberta Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health

Retirement did not last long for Dr. Rosana Salvaterra as she was hired by Alberta Health as the new Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health announced Wednesday.

Dr. Rosana Salvaterra during the announcement of $3 million from the Ontario Government going towards COVID-19 relief efforts. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Salvaterra will begin her new role on Oct. 4 as she retires from her position of Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Sept. 19. She has maintained that role since 2008 from Dr. Garry Humphreys who had retired.

“I am looking forward to providing Dr. Hinshaw with the additional support and assistance she needs to ensure the office of the CMOH (Chief medical officer of Health) fulfills its role and mandate,” said Salvaterra. “I recognize I have a great deal to learn about my new home and new public health system, and I hope I will be able to make a meaningful contribution as a member of the team.”

Dr. Salvaterra holds a Master’s degree in Health Research Methodology, a specialty in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and is an adjunct professor at Queens University. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Salvaterra, 65, revealed that she wanted to move to Edmonton after retirement to be closer to her family last month.

Larry Stinson, PPH director of operations will become the interim CEO after Dr. Salvaterra’s retirement until Dr. Thomas Piggott assumes the role starting on Dec. 1.

“I am so pleased that Dr. Salvaterra has agreed to join our team in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health.

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Alyssa Gaudaur is Recognized as the Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Alyssa Gaudaur is announced as this week’s Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week as part of their “Drop the Puck” program announced on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Gaudeur is a nurse at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. She remained brave during the pandemic and kept going to work because she is passionate about helping her patients and her colleagues according to the Petes press release. 

“Alyssa has been working extra hard over the past 18 months to help patients at the hospital,” said Clarissa Sidaway, who nominated Gaudaur. “She loves her work and truly enjoys helping people. She’s a huge Petes fan and deserves a little recognition for her hard work.”

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

To nominate a frontline worker, click here.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety and happiness of those in their community.

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Peterborough Public Health Announces Next Board of Health Meeting

Peterborough Public Health has announced that the next Board of Health meeting will take place in person on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.

PHOTO BY EVAN HOLT, PTBOCANADA

The meeting will take place in the Hiawatha LIFE and Cultural Centre at 431 Hiawatha Line, Hiawatha First Nation.

This meeting is open to the public. All participants are required to wear a face covering or mask.

Those interested in attending must RSVP to ensure adequate room for physical distancing. RSVP’s can be sent to bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca

To view the meeting agenda click here.

The next Board of Health meeting will take place on October 13, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Health building.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Hosts Vigil and Resource Sessions to Honour World Suicide Prevention Day

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is hosting a candle light vigil and community resource sessions to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. Events will be hosted in both Peterborough and Lindsay.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

Approximately 4,000 Canadians die by suicide each year and it is the second-most common cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.

The vigil is a memorial to those who have lost their lives to suicide and offers support to the loved ones of those who have died by suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day raises awareness about suicide, mental health concerns and suicide prevention.

“We want people who have been impacted by suicide or are struggling with thoughts of suicide to know that there is help available, all you need to do is to ask. Everyone is invited to turn out on September 9 and 10,” said Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education with CMHA HKPR.

The event on September 9 will be held at the Silver Bean Café in Peterborough. Community resources will be available from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On September 10 the event will be held at Labrynth Garden in Lindsay. Community resources are available from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, the vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Peterborough event contact Kelley Curtis at 705-748- 6687 extension 1016 or email kcurtis@cmhahkpr.ca.

For more information on the Lindsay event contact Jack Veitch at 705-748-6687 extension 1015 or email jveitch@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Peterborough Public Health Uses City Buses For Mobile Vaccination Clinics To Local Workers

With an assist from the City of Peterborough and their city busses, more than 150 local workers were issued COVID-19 vaccines by Peterborough Public Health over the past few weeks.

Peterborough Public Health serves the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations and the County and City of Peterborough. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Public Health.

“We greatly appreciate the City’s speedy response to our request to access a city bus and drivers for use as a mobile vaccination clinic,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, medical officer of health. “Together we were able to bring vaccine to several local workplaces to make it easy for employees to get vaccinated as we continue to do all we can to protect our community against the coming fourth wave.”

The mobile vaccination clinic travelled to five area workplaces, including Safran Electronics & Defense Canada, Nefab Inc., Disaster Mitigation Services, Dynacast Peterborough and two stops at the Kingdon Timber Mart in Lakefield.

Mayor Diane Therrien was happy to see local workers respond so positively and encourage all residents to get vaccinated.

“The City of Peterborough and Peterborough Transit are proud to support the work being done by Peterborough Public Health to make it convenient for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” she said. “By getting the COVID-19 vaccine, we’re helping to protect ourselves, our families and our community.”

Dr. Salvaterra noted the demand for first doses has increased since the province’s recent announcement that vaccine certificates will be required as of Sept. 22 in high-risk settings such as restaurants, gyms and long-term care homes.

COVID-19 vaccines remain widely available by appointment at more than 28 pharmacies throughout the City and County. Local walk-in vaccination clinics have taken place in area schools, the Healthy Planet Arena (formerly Evinrude Centre) and other locations. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are offered at walk-in clinics. For the latest schedule, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/walkin.

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