Campbellford Memorial Hospital No Longer Screening Visitors For COVID-19
/Visitors and patients to Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) will no longer need to actively screen for COVID-19 upon entry, as of Thursday.
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Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Public Health Reminds Residents Of Prohibited Public Smoking and Vaping in City Outdoor Public Spaces
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has reminded residents and visitors that smoking and vaping are prohibited in area parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields announced on Monday.
Photo by Luke Best.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy these beautiful spaces free from exposure to secondhand smoke and vape products,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Active enforcement of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the current bylaw will protect people from being exposed and support anyone who is trying to quit using cannabis and tobacco.”
Smoking or vaping in Peterborough at a park, playground, sports field or beach could result in a fine of up to $305. This includes anyone attending a Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park.
“Our partnership with the health unit has been ongoing for several years and is quite successful,” said Tracey Randall, General Manager, Peterborough Musicfest. “We are excited to be back this season offering our concert series throughout July and August once again. As in years past, we want to make sure that the event is safe and enjoyable for everyone, which includes ensuring a smoke and vape-free experience at the park.”
Peterborough Police and Public Health Tobacco Enforcement Officers are enforcing the rules in local parks this summer according to PPH.
PPH says keeping parks smoke and vape-free keep children safe from the harmful effects of tobacco and help denormalize tobacco use. They also help protect the environment from toxic cigarette butts.
Anyone who is exposed to secondhand smoke is encouraged to report the exposure to Peterborough Public Health by calling 705-743-1000 or using the online report form available at PPH’s website and searching for “secondhand smoke.”
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First Case Of Monkeypox Confirmed In Peterborough Area
/Peterborough Public Health was notified of a confirmed case of Monkeypox in the region on Wednesday.
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Those who have been in contact with the case have been notified. Contacts of the case are being offered a vaccine as a form of post-exposure prophylaxis.
Monkey pox is a virus that can be spread between animals and humans through close prolonged contact. While monkeypox is in the same family as smallpox, monkeypox presents with much milder symptoms and is less contagious. Symptoms can present within 5-21 days of exposure to someone who has the virus.
Symptoms can include:
- Rash or blister in mouth and around genital areas
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Exhaustion
Residents who experience symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. While there is no treatment for the virus, symptoms can be managed and individuals typically recover within 2-4 weeks.
“Monkeypox virus has been circulating in Ontario for a few weeks now. We did anticipate it would arrive in our region and we are prepared to support case and contact efforts,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Monkeypox is not easily spread between people, however, we do recommend that everyone be aware of the signs and symptoms of the virus and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms present.”
The Brock Clinic Run By Volunteers Officially Opens Offering Care To Vulnerable Community Members
/The Brock Clinic, a nurse practitioner clinic for those experiencing homelessness, officially opened on Wednesday at the Brock Mission.
Anna Jamieson (NP), Lee-Anne Quinn(NP) and Dr Janet Kelly. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
The clinic was founded by Nurse Practitioner Lee-Anne Quinn along with Dr. Janet Kelly, who is serving as the collaborative physician for the nurse practitioner-led clinic. These women are all volunteering their time to run this clinic.
“We are healthcare professionals that are not working full-time, so we have some time to give and we are giving it,” said Quinn. “We completely understand our buddies that are working five days a week and are completely burnt-out after the last two years. But I know for a fact there are doctors and nurse practitioners out there that aren’t working full time. If they have even one day to give a month - here we are.”
The clinic will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, though Quinn hopes that as more nurses volunteer hours will be extended.
United Way Peterborough & District assisted the project with startup costs using federal funding from the Reaching Home program, which is a community-based program delivered locally through the United Way as part of Canada’s Homelessness Strategy aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.
The 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner–Led Clinic (NPLC) also jumped in to support the volunteer nurse practitioner lead clinic. It has supported the project with space setup, equipment, technology and it will be key in the future planning of the clinic at Brock Mission.
Nurse practitioners in the community who would like to get involved in the initiative and volunteer their time can contact 705-748-4766 ext. 237.
Peterborough Public Health is Moving The COVID-19 Mass immunization Clinic
/Peterborough Public Health will be moving the COVID-19 mass immunization clinic from the Healthy Planet Arena. Starting Monday, the COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be held temporarily at the Peterborough Public Health office at 185 King St.
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For the week of May 30, clinics run by Peterborough Public Health will be unavailable as Peterborough Public Health moves out of the Healthy Planet Arena.
The GO-VAXX mobile clinic will be coming to Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough on Thursday, June 2 from 10:00am to 6:00pm and will have the Pfizer vaccine available for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and booster doses for adults and youth aged 12 and up, as well as the pediatric Pfizer vaccine available for children aged 5-11.
Residents are also encouraged to reach out to local participating pharmacies to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine during this week.
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.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre Offering Fast Pass Screening Options For Patients And Essential Caregivers
/Beginning Wednesday, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will offer a fast pass screening option for patients and essential caregivers at both the main entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance.
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Upon arrival, those who have completed the screening tool will be asked to show their pass on either a device screen or in printed form to enter the hospital building.
The regular screening process will continue to be offered for those who do not complete the fast pass process. All patients and caregivers are strongly encouraged to use the fast pass tool to expedite their entry into the hospital.
All patients and caregivers continue to be required to wear a hospital-provided, medical-grade mask at all times when inside the Health Centre, except in the designated area of the cafeteria, where masks may be removed to eat or drink.
A new, after-hours screening process will also begin at the hospital’s main entrance only on Monday. Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., anyone requesting access through this entrance must use the buzzer to contact Security and be screened before they are permitted to enter the building.
The ED entrance will continue to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fast pass and regular screening available. This entrance is reserved for patients/caregivers who are coming to the ED or to Labour & Delivery.
The pre-screening tool is available online at prhcscreening.ca and can be completed anytime within the 24 hours before the patient or caregiver comes to the hospital.
Peterborough Public Health Makes Fifth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For Immunocompromised Residents
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has made a second COVID-19 booster dose available for immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication and received a three dose primary series announced Friday.
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Anyone who is 60 years of age or older or considered First Nation, Inuit, Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 18 years of age or older is eligible.
“Residents who are immunocompromised due to health condition or medication may experience a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine,”said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “This immunity can be further reduced due to age or other health circumstances. Therefore, a second booster or fifth dose is recommended to enhance the immune response and provide better protection against COVID-19 for these residents.”
Residents who fit into this category will need to speak with their healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility and receive a referral form before attending a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
Residents who are eligible based on health status can bring their referral form to receive their dose at any Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
PPH has developed a COVID-19 Immunization Schedule to assist residents in keeping up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
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Fourcast Invites Community Members To Join Committee For New Consumption And Treatment Services Site
/Fourcast has announced the formation of a new Community Liaison Committee (CLC) for the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) Site at 220 Simcoe Street.
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