Ontario To End Mandatory Masking In Most Settings March 21
/Ontario will end mask requirements in most public indoor settings, and schools, on March 21, sources say.
Stock Image.
Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Public Health Offers Workplace Guidance As Restrictions Loosen
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) recommends that workplaces continue vaccination-related measures as provincial public health regulations ease announced Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
PPH urges the measures to continue to protect employees, patrons and all vulnerable residents from spreading COVID-19.
These measures include maintaining workplace vaccination policies and supporting businesses continuing vaccination proof requirements. Masking in public settings remains mandatory in Ontario.
“The loosening of provincial public health measures signals that we have reached a turning point of this pandemic such that our health system is not at risk of being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still very much present in our community and transmission is still occurring. It is up to us as individuals and as a community to protect those at greatest risk of severe health outcomes from COVID-19. Luckily, we have the tools available to do this.”
He noted that high vaccination rates continue to be the most important ways to prevent COVID-19 and is recommending for all workplaces and organizations to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy.
According to PPH, emerging evidence indicates that three doses of an mRNA vaccine is 60 per cent effective at reducing transmission and 90 per cent effective at reducing mortality from COVID-19 while simultaneously reducing the severity of illness and hospitalization.
PPH urges workplaces to require employees to have three doses. The Verify Ontario app is still available and the Ontario government will continue to provide access to COVID-19 vaccination certificates with a QR code.
Employees and patrons must wear a mask in public indoor spaces, including:
public spaces (for example, inside stores, event spaces, entertainment facilities and common areas in hotels)
workplaces, even those that are not open to the public
vehicles that operate as part of a business or organization, including taxis and rideshares
“There isn’t a silver bullet or quick fix that will end this pandemic – it will be a series of public health measures implemented over a period time that will reduce the spread of the virus,” explained Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Wearing a tight-fitting mask when you are in indoor public places is one way though, that we can slow the spread of the virus.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Public Health Measures Eased as Ontario Moves to Next Reopening Phase
/Ontario has removed proof of vaccination and indoor capacity limits for all public settings while maintaining mask mandates that took effect on Monday.
Indoor settings including restaurants were operating at half capacity since Feb. 17. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“Local businesses and public facilities have done an amazing job for nearly two years implementing the public health measures needed to help keep our community safe,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “While most public health measures are no longer mandatory by law, we encourage residents to be kind and understanding as local businesses and facilities adapt to the relaxation of public health measures and determine whether they will choose to maintain any measures to provide enhanced protection for staff and patrons.”
Some businesses and organizations can optionally continue the requirements depending on their needs. Proof of vaccine may still be needed to access participating indoor facilities and businesses.
Peterborough Public Health is advising residents to have their enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code on hand and to check in advance for what public health requirements are still in place before visiting a public or private setting.
“Wearing a tightly-fitted mask will be important to protect yourself and others, as businesses and organizations return to full capacity,” said Ingram. “The bottom line is, COVID-19 is still present in our community.”
All residents are also reminded to self-screening and stay home when you are sick, even with mild symptoms. For more information about COVID-19 public health measures, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid19.
The following changes to public health and workplace safety measures are in effect as of March 1.
capacity limits have been lifted in all indoor public settings
proof of vaccination requirements have been lifted
businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry
other protective measures, such as mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons remain in place
businesses and organizations that are open must continue to have safety plans in place
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Public Health Warns Public of Increased Suspected Opioid Poisonings
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has detected increases in Emergency Department Visits and Paramedic Calls for Service from possible opioid poisonings.
Stock photo.
“Peterborough Public Health has seen an unusual increase in opioid-related harms,” said Jocelyn Qualtrough, PPH health promoter. “We have been communicating with partners and now we are reaching out to the public as part of our enhanced response in hopes to prevent further harm for the community.”
Six unique overdose-related incidents for which medical attention was sought, including Emergency Department Visits and Paramedic Calls for Service on Tuesday.
In the last week, there have been 13 overdose-related emergency department visits and ten opioid-related paramedic calls for service. Due to this increase, Peterborough Public Health is issuing a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harm in the community.
For the prevention of drug-related harms, Peterborough Public Health advises if you use substances:
Do not use drugs alone.
If using with a friend, do not use at exactly the same time.
If using alone, have a plan. Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-6677.
Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.
Avoid mixing drugs.
Test your drug by using a small amount first.
Call 911 immediately if someone starts to show signs of an overdose and/or cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.
Peterborough Public Health encourages everyone to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and know what to do:
Skin is cold and clammy
Fingernails or lips are blue or purple
Body is very limp
Cannot wake the person up
Deep snoring or gurgling sounds
Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped
Pupils are very small
“Recognize the signs of opioid overdose,” said Qualtrough. “If an overdose is witnessed, call 911, give naloxone and stay with that person until help arrives.”
Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.
PPPH is also encouraging members of the public to use the recently launched ‘Drug Reporting Tool’. This tool is an anonymous survey to report overdose incidents and harms in the community.
Any information shared through the survey supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing overdoses in the Peterborough Area.
For more information, or to find out how to access naloxone, please visit PPH’s website and search for “Opioids.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Youth Aged 12 - 17 Are Now Eligible For Booster COVID-19 Vaccines
/Starting Friday, residents aged 12-17 years are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster dose at a date that is at least six months after their second dose was received. Residents must be at least 12 years of age to book a booster dose appointment.
Stock Photo.
At this time, residents 12-17 years of age who require a booster dose are asked to book an appointment through the provincial vaccine booking system. Appointments can be booked:
Over the phone by calling 1-833-943-3900 or,
Online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
Residents can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine from participating pharmacies. Pharmacy locations can be found on the provincial webpage at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
“Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are no longer enough to prevent infection,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “We are seeing that three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are more effective at reducing a person’s risk of hospitalization. It is also more effective at preventing infection altogether.”
Peterborough Public Health will continue to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout Peterborough County and City. Dr. Piggott encourages residents to review the COVID-19 vaccine clinic calendar to find a location near them
“The clinic calendar contains information on the COVID-19 vaccine clinics that we are hosting. We encourage residents to view the eligibility criteria and booking details for a clinic before attending,” said Dr. Piggott.
The COVID-19 vaccine clinic calendar can be found on the Peterborough Public Health webpage at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics
Ontario To Ease COVID Restrictions Starting Thursday Eliminate Vaccine Passport As Of March
/During Monday mornings announcement Doug Ford stated that the Ontario Government plans to lift capacity limits in indoor settings beginning this week and will scrap the province’s proof-of-vaccination system on March 1.
File Photo.
Starting Feb. 17, capacity limits will be lifted in all settings where proof of vaccination is required, including restaurants, gyms, and cinemas.
Seating capacity at sports arenas, concert venues, and theatres will be increased to 50 per cent on Thursday and the province will also begin allowing larger social gatherings of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, including grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores, and malls, will be maintained or increased to the number of people who can stay two metres apart.
On March 1, the province said remaining capacity limits will be removed in all indoor settings and the government will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination to enter non-essential businesses. Businesses may still choose to require proof of vaccination.
Masking rules will remain in effect but the province said a specific timeline for lifting masking mandates will be released at a later date.
The province also confirmed that it will be expanding booster dose eligibility to you aged 12 to 17 starting at 8 a.m. on Friday.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Ontario Government Expands Access For Free Home Rapid Tests In Grocery Stores and Pharmacies
/The Ontario government is expanding access to free rapid antigen testing kits to the public for home use at grocery stores and pharmacies.
File Photo.
The expanded access began on Wednesday. Roughly 44 million test kits over the next two months to over 2,300 pharmacies and grocery stores with over five million tests will be distributed weekly throughout the province.
MPP Dave Smith warns that the rapid test measures if you have Covid at that particular point in time and not a certainty for the same result in the next few days.
“The rapid test may come back negative today and that just means you don’t have Covid right now,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Doesn’t mean you’re Covid-free two or three days from now. Don’t use it as that safety guard that you can go visit someone else, use it as a diagnostic tool when you have symptoms.
Box sets of five rapid tests will be given to each household per visit while supplies last. There is no purchase necessary to obtain the free tests.
Some stores may include rapid tests as part of their regular delivery service with a purchase from their respective businesses.
The following are a list of locations for free rapid tests:
City of Peterborough
Charlotte Care Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy, 100-270 Charlotte St.
Costco Pharmacy, 485 The Parkway
Morello’s Your Independent Grocer Peterborough, 400 Lansdowne St. E.
Lansdowne Pharmacy, 196 Lansdowne St. E.
Metro, 1154 Chemong Rd.
Real Canadian Superstore, 769 Borden Ave.
Rexall, 85 George St. N.
Rexall, 1154 Chemong Rd.
Sherbrooke Heights Pharmacy, 1625 Sherbrooke St. W.
Shoppers Drug Mart, 1875 Lansdowne St. W.
Shoppers Drug Mart, 741 Lansdowne St. W.
Shoppers Drug Mart, 250 Charlotte St.
Shoppers Drug Mart, 971 Chemong Rd.
Sobeys, 1200 Lansdowne St. W.
Sobeys, 501 Towerhill Rd.
The Clinic Pharmacy Rx, 26 Hospital Dr.
Walmart, 1002 Chemong Rd.
Walmart, 950 Lansdowne Street W.
County of Peterborough
Village Pharmacy, 135 Queen St., Lakefield
Keene Drug Mart, 1105 Heritage Line, Keene
Centennial Family Pharmacy, 2375 County Rd. 45, Norwood
City of Kawartha Lakes
Village Gate Pharm-Rx, 101 East St. S., Bobcaygeon
Fenelon Falls Pharmacy, 53 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
MacArthur Drugs, 21 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
Sobeys, 15 Lindsay St., Fenelon Falls
Food Basics, 363 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Kawartha Lakes Pharmasave, 4A-55 Angeline St. N., Lindsay
Loblaws, 400 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Pharmasave Integrated Care Pharmacy, 10 Moose Rd., Lindsay
Remedy’s Rx On Kent, 108 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Rexall Pharma Plus, 401 Kent St. W., Lindsay
RX Drug Mart Lindsay, 51 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Shoppers Drug Mart, 343 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Shoppers Drug Mart, 74 Kent St. W., Lindsay
Little Britain Pharm, 415 Eldon Rd., Little Britain
Kinmount Pharmacy, 503-31 County Rd., Kinmount
Northumberland County
Brighton Clinic Pharmacy, 4 5-46 Prince Edward St., Brighton
Pharma Plus, 1 Main St., Brighton
Sobeys, 14 Main St., Brighton
Maclaren Pharmacy, 79 Bridge St. E., Campbellford
Rx Drug Mart Campbellford, 16 Grand Rd., Campbellford
Cobourg Care Pharmacy, 5A-609 William St., Cobourg
Cobourg Pharmacy, 6A-9 Elgin St. E., Cobourg
Metro, 1111 Elgin St. W., Cobourg
Shoppers Drug Mart, 270 Spring St., Cobourg
Walmart, 73 Strathy Rd., Cobourg
York Super Pharmacy, 500 Division St., Cobourg
Davis’ Your Independent Grocer, 20 Jocelyn Rd., Port Hope
Food Basics, 125 Hope St. S., Port Hope
Health Centre Pharmacy, 5-15 Henderson St., Port Hope
Warkworth Pharmacy, 26 Main St., Warkworth
Haliburton County
Todd’s Your Independent Grocer Haliburton, 5121 Country Rd. 21, Haliburton
Rexall, 224 Highland St., Haliburton
Shoppers Drug Mart, 186 Highland St., Haliburton
Highland Remedy Rx, 33 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden
Minden Pharmacy, 110 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden
Hastings County
North Hastings Family Pharmacy, 217 Hastings St. N., Bancroft
Shoppers Drug Mart, 118 Hastings St. N., Bancroft
Johnston’s Pharmacy, 6 Front St. E., Hastings
Johnston’s Pharmacy, 57 St. Lawrence St. E., Madoc
Marmora Pharmacy, 38 Forsyth St., Marmora
Nickle’s Pharmacy, 26 Forsyth St., Marmora
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Celebrates Resident Doctors Appreciation Week
/Campbellford Memorial Hospital is celebrating Resident Doctors Appreciation Week until Friday.
Dr. Kelly Nhu Le at Campbellford Memorial Hospital. Photo courtesy of CMH.
