Ross Memorial Hospital In Lindsay Just Opened A Drive-Thru COVID-19 Assessment Centre

To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in the City of Kawartha Lakes—the first positive case, a woman in her 60s, has been reported in the region—Ross Memorial Hospital opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre on Sunday morning (March 15th). 

If you suspect you might have COVID-19, do the following before going to the Assessment Centre…

1. An individual who has recent travel history outside of Canada AND symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should, complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page.

2. Contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or the HKPR District Health Unit (hkpr.on.ca) at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5020.

3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms. 

HOW THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE WORKS

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the hospital, 10 Angeline St. North, in Lindsay, within the Ambulance Bay.

It is a “drive-thru” centre, with marked entrance from Angeline St. N. The hours of operation are between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. At this time, patients seeking assessment at the centre are not required to make an appointment. Patients should attend the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre only on the advice of Telehealth or Public Health.

.@RossMemorial opened COVID-19 Assessment Centre today.

Recent travel history outside of Canada & fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing? Call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or @HKPRDHU at 1-866-888-4577 before attending the assessment centre. https://t.co/mwWEOtBHVu pic.twitter.com/w4vG2E1KZ1

— Ross Memorial (@RossMemorial) March 15, 2020

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

• Patients must enter by vehicle in the marked entrance from Angeline St. N and follow direction from staff or security to enter “Lane 2” (Lane 1 is reserved for Ambulances).

• Remain in vehicle at all times, unless instructed to exit the vehicle by staff.

• An assessment will be completed by clinical staff, with patients remaining in vehicle.

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre will assess and direct patients on next steps. For more info on the drive thru centre, click here.

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Kawartha Food Share In Desperate Need Of Food Donations During COVID-19 Crisis

Kawartha Food Share says many of their clients do not have the means to buy extra food items and are turning to their food banks for support.

“Our numbers are usually higher during the winter, but we’re seeing such an increase this past week,” General Manager Ashlee Aitken tells PTBOCanada. “Plus we’re seeing a decrease in volunteers, so it’s crazy times at the food banks.”

Indeed, the health of both Kawartha Food Share’s clients and volunteers on the front lines is very important to them, and they are encouraging anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and call their warehouse (705-745-5377) if they are in need of emergency food.

Currently, all food banks & meal programs in the city & county remain open, & we can’t thank staff/ volunteers enough for working the front lines during these frightening times.

Due to the rising number of individuals accessing our foodbanks, our shelves are depleting quickly.

— Kawartha Food Share (@Kaw_FoodShare) March 13, 2020

”We are also concerned for parents who rely on their children using our breakfast and nutrition programs at school,” says Kawartha Food Share’s General Manager Ashlee Aitken.

“They now have to access extra food from our services during the extended March break and we expect to see client numbers rise in the next couple weeks because of this.”

Kawartha Food Share is also in need of any and all perishable food donations, such as soup, pasta, pasta sauce, Mac and Cheese, and canned vegetables.

I know this is going to sound pretty simplistic.
Be kind to one another. There are a lot of vulnerable people in our community who aren't in a position to "stock up" at the grocery store. Only buy what you need, and share what you can @Kaw_FoodShare

— Lisa MacDonald (@Lisa_Mac_D) March 13, 2020

Donations can be made at their collection bins located at all local grocery stores, at their warehouse at 665 Neal drive, or online here.

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Riverview Park and Zoo Announce The Death Of Montana, Their Female Bobcat

It is with great sadness that the Riverview Park and Zoo announce the death of Montana, their female bobcat. Montana came to Peterborough from the Toronto Zoo in the summer of 2004. With her beautiful colouring, expressive face and inquisitive nature, Montana was a favourite with many of the zoo’s visitors.  

Montana had been treated for kidney disease for approximately two years and unfortunately she took a turn for the worse on Friday morning (March 6th). Although the Park and Zoo’s Consulting Veterinarian and Animal Health Team responded promptly to provide treatment and care, Montana died later Friday afternoon. Although not unexpected, her death is still a difficult loss for staff as they had formed a close bond with her.

Montana was a very friendly and social animal, and she greatly enjoyed when the Animal Care Staff interacted with her in her exhibit.

She would also often “stalk” Park and Zoo visitors as they approached her exhibit and would frequently preen for attention from the Animal Care Staff.

Montana died during the later afternoon on Friday as a result of complications resulting from end-stage kidney failure. She was almost twenty years old.

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Local Realtor Linz Hunt Trekked The Sahara Desert In Support Of YWCA Crossroads Shelter

Peterborough Realtor Linz Hunt met with respresentatives at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton recently to present a cheque for $17,820 in support of YWCA Crossroads Shelter.

Hunt’s generous gift in support of women and children fleeing abuse was raised through an incredible 5 day, 100 kilometre trek through the Sahara Desert late last year. She was among 120 real estate agents who participated in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter.

Photo of Linz Hunt in Sahara Desert

“As a Realtor, my job is to sell people homes and I can't imagine associating a home with fear and danger,” says Hunt.

“I chose to contribute more intentionally to the YWCA by taking part in the Sahara Trek because of the people I know and love who have experienced gender-based violence.”

“Every day throughout the trek, we read letters from women and children who had escaped their abusers thanks to the shelters we were supporting,” adds Hunt.

“These letters were heartbreaking but they reaffirmed that our journey was nothing in comparison to what these families have gone through. I truly had the experience of a lifetime supporting such an important cause.”

To learn more about the YWCA Peterborough and how you can get involved, click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kawartha Buttertart Factory, Head 2 Toe Footwear & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Head 2 Toe Footwear repair is Melissa and Chris Allan’s new business. Located in the lower level of Peterborough Square, some might remember Chris from his years as Allan Shoe Repair. Services include repairs to shoes, boots, high heels, men’s dress shoes and work boots, as well as Velcro repairs, replacing elastics, buckles and building lifts. From Birkenstock’s to bowling shoes, Chris and Melissa can handle it. Open Tuesday through Saturday, call 705-874-2939.

Congratulations to Cathy Smith, who is putting the finishing touches on the new location of the Kawartha Buttertart Factory. Originally in Warsaw, the new location is 713 County Road 4, which is commonly known as the Warsaw Road, at the corner of Highway 28. Cathy and her team specialize in award-winning butter tarts, apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, pies, squares and sweet loaves, as well as grab and go sandwiches, pizza wraps and Sausage Rolls! Cathy is very grateful for all of the local trades who helped her prepare the new location and move and install all of the equipment.

The owners of a new building are Dave Conroy and Sean Harris, who wanted a home and showroom for their business – The Little Building Company. Dave and Sean specialize in high quality, custom designed cabins, bunkies, saunas, decks, docks, additions and renovations. The new building employs a long list of energy efficient, low-carbon feature, a special focus of the Little Building Company. Dave and Sean have even built a stand-alone cabin next door to showcase some of their techniques. Go to littlebuildingcompany.ca for more.

Congratulations to Garnet Northey and the staff at Spotlight Home and Lifestyle on capturing the Best of Houzz award for customer service. Check out spotlighthomeandlifestyle.com for details.

Congratulations to Kerri Rogers and crew at Restwell Upholstering on their 75th anniversary this year! Watch for lots of discounts, promotions and draw prizes every month!! Go to restwellupholstery.ca for more.

And don’t forget the Future Ready Business Summit is this Wednesday, a great morning of better business fundamentals. Register today at peterboroughchamber.ca.

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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$1.2 Million Announced For 26 Local Businesses To Innovate, Expand & Create Jobs

On Thursday (March 6th) at the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough, Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, announced that 26 local businesses will benefit from an investment of nearly $1.2 million from the federal government through the Rural Innovation Initiative of Eastern Ontario (RIIEO).

Seven Peterborough-based manufacturers will receive up to $700,000 through the RIIEO Regional Stream, matched by $1,905,701 in incremental private investment. An additional $450,000 will go towards 19 local businesses operating in the City of Peterborough and County of Peterborough under RIIEO’s Local Stream, and be administered by Community Futures Peterborough.

Photo from announcement via Community Futures on Facebook

RIIEO supports local, innovative projects with a goal of supporting the transition and growth of traditional small and medium sized businesses and manufacturers to expand their business growth and adopt advanced, innovative business processes.

Recognizing the vital role rural communities play in the region’s economy, FedDev Ontario collaborates with Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Eastern Ontario to support the transition and growth of new and existing businesses into the new rural economy.

Gail Moorhouse, Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough speaking at announcement (photo via Community Futures on Facebook)

This RIIEO program investment contributes to an estimated 93 jobs being created and 391 jobs being maintained within the City of Peterborough and County of Peterborough.

“This stream of funding has allowed local businesses to think boldly about their future and how to implement innovative measures to grow and protect jobs in the future,” says Gail Moorhouse, Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough. “We are thrilled with the quality of exciting projects and innovation taking place in our community.”

“Through smart investments that support our rural innovators and entrepreneurs, we strengthen the local economy and create jobs,” adds Maryam Monsef. “Our government is pleased to work with Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) and Community Futures Peterborough to ensure our local businesses have the tools they need to develop and reach new markets.”

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Five Counties Children’s Centre Opens Newest Smilezones At Cobourg Location

Five Counties Children’s Centre has announced the opening of their newest Smilezones at their Cobourg Site (800 Division Street), which serves more than 1,000 children and youth each year.

Generously donated by Smilezone Foundation, the bright, fun Smilezones include murals, sensory toys, and drawing boards—improving the experience for children and families visiting the Centre.

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

“We are very happy the children and families in the Northumberland area can now enjoy this warm, welcoming environment,” says Kristy Hook, Vice Chair Five Counties Children’s Centre Board of Directors.

“The change is incredible,” adds Diane Pick, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “The work of the amazing volunteers who transformed our space over one weekend has created an inviting, friendly place for our clients and families to spend time while they are here for therapy and appointments.”

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

“Each Smilezone at the Site has been created to represent a different aspect of Northumberland County life,” says Elizabeth Carmichael, Program Manager at the Cobourg Site.

“In addition to the Welcome Message in our reception area, the extremely talented Smilezone artist has created murals depicting the neighbouring farm community, beach, rolling hills and forest.”

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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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It's A Sure Sign Of Spring As Daylight Saving Time Begins March 8th

This will hopefully take that chill out of your bones: It's Spring Forward time on Sunday, March 8th—a sure sign of spring!



Remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour—not back or you'll be two hours behind the rest of us and your life will be confusing.

Sunrise and sunset will be about one hour later that day. And don't forget to change your smoke alarm batteries as well!

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