Peterborough Blogs
As we get closer to Easter, eggs are appearing in windows as a way for families to walk by and “hunt” for houses that are celebrating the occasion.
—by Evan Holt, PTBOCanada.com
Luna Turned 3 Years Old & She Couldn't Have A Party At Her House So She Got A Street Parade Instead
/With physically distancing measures in place to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, a 3-year-old Peterborough girl couldn’t have a typical 3-year-old birthday on Thursday (March 26th).
Family and friends still wanted to make Luna’s birthday as special as possible given the circumstances and boy did they pull it off, holding a street parade for her in her South End street in town.
Luna (photo by Eylse Kellar)
You can watch the video below sent to us by Elyse Kellar, whose niece is Luna…
Watch it on Instagram as well…
Or on our Facebook page…
Share to bring joy to others…
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Public Health Reports First COVID-19 Case In Long-Term Care Home
/On Thursday (March 26th), Peterborough Public Health reported the first case of COVID-19 in a local long-term care home.
One resident has tested positive, while two others have respiratory symptoms. Both of these have tested negative. All three are residents of St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough and are in isolation at the facility. One staff member who also had symptoms and was referred to community paramedics for in-home testing last evening where they will remain in self-isolation.
Public Health Nurse Simone Jackson wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) as she prepares to open a swab to test a patient in our clinic for COVID-19. (Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Health)
Peterborough Public Health is investigating to determine if there is an epidemiological link to travel or other known COVID-19 cases.
“We know St. Joseph’s at Fleming is taking the right measures to keep residents as safe as possible from the spread of this infection,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Older adults are more at risk to severe illness caused by COVID-19 so this serves as a strong reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our most vulnerable residents.”
Visitation to the facility has been restricted since March 14th based on the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Support Downtown Businesses By Purchasing Gift Cards
/Many downtown business owners are struggling badly right now and need the support of the community more than ever.
One of the biggest challenges faced by local businesses is the expenses don’t stop when the lights are turned off and the door is locked. One thing people can do to support them is buy gift cards and certificates now and spend them later when they reopen. This allows the businesses to have some cashflow to help cover current expenses.
Lisa Dixon, Owner of Black Honey on Hunter Street West
With that in mind, The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area has launched a website supportdowntownptbo.ca where you can buy gift cards and certificates from downtown businesses. Gift cards and certificates will be mailed (or emailed if electronic) to shoppers.
Visit supportdowntownptbo.ca and support your favourite downtown businesses!
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
PRHC Needs Your Help With The Following Much-Needed Protective Equipment & Supplies
/As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and the PRHC Foundation have been overwhelmed by messages of thanks and support from our community.
To ensure community efforts are focused where they are most needed at this critical time, PRHC is asking the community to follow these steps when considering how they can contribute:
1. At this time, PRHC is accepting donations of the following much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) items and supplies:
N95 masks
Procedure masks
Procedure masks with visors
Hand sanitizer (any free-standing, 70% alcohol foam sanitizer)
Full face shields with foam
Organizations and individuals who have any of the above supplies on-hand and wish to donate them should visit the PRHC PPE Drive webpage or email peterboroughppedrive@gmail.com.
Public Health Nurse Simone Jackson wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) as she prepares to open a swab to test a patient in our clinic for COVID-19. (Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Health)
2. At this time, due to the nature of COVID-19, the hospital is unable to accept donations of:
Handmade masks
Food/drink for hospital staff (until further notice)
Photo courtesy PRHC
3. Anyone who wants to contribute to the hospital’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to make a donation to the PRHC Foundation in support of critical investments in lifesaving equipment and technology, and supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers. Donors can also send a special thank you message to PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff. Visit www.prhcfoundation.ca or call 705-876-5000.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Things You Notice While Social Distancing
/Social distancing isn’t completely awful. Here’s a few silver lining aspects to it…
Entertainment
It’s nice to have the time to listen to an album in its entirety or binge-watch a show.
Laundry
We’ve never been so caught up on laundry 🤣
Watch the news in small chunks
We live in a great age where we have so much news just a tap away, but watching it for extended periods of time sure can be a downer.
Cooking & Baking
We’re actually pretty thankful to have the time now to plan out meals, and try new recipes. It’s straight out of our PTBOCanada Boredom Buster List, but we find cooking and baking rather therapeutic… plus if you break out the slow cooker you can make bigger batches of food to freeze for another time.
Dogs are being spoiled
We notice out the window how many lucky dogs are getting double or triple the walks they had in the past.
Far more video chats
What better way to connect with family than fire up FaceTime, Zoom or Skype?
Stay The Heck Home, Mayor Therrien Says, Declaring State Of Emergency For Peterborough
/“Stay the heck home Peterborough.” That’s the message from Mayor Therrien, who along with Peterborough County, declared a State of Emergency on Monday (March 23rd).
The declaration was made after careful consideration of the increasing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding need for people to take necessary precautions. This decision follows declarations made by the Province of Ontario for the entire province as well as numerous other municipalities that have declared local states of emergency.
Mayor Therrien declaring State of Emergency
“By declaring an emergency, we are clearly stating as a community that our efforts are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic for the health and safety of everyone,” says Therrien.
“For the safety of yourself and everyone, you need to stay home except for essential outings, follow social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of illness; and if you’re asked to self-isolate—you must do so. If you have returned from travel outside of Canada, you are, and everyone you live with is, required to self-isolate for 14 days. Refusing to do so is irresponsible and places our community at increased risk. Do your part to flatten the curve.”
The declaration of an emergency is available to municipalities under the Provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. It may provide access to provincial funding for actions related to the emergency and relief, should funding become available.
EMERGENCY SERVICES CONTINUE TO OPERATE
Emergency services including Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Fire Services, and Peterborough County-City Paramedics continue to operate. The City continues to provide core services with some adjusted service levels.
For questions about COVID-19, people are encouraged to refer to health officials for up-to-date, reliable information. Peterborough Public Health provides information and links to provincial and federal resources at peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Cavan FC Players Are Keeping The Ball Moving In Awesome Way To Stay United During Social Distancing
/Liz Shaughnessy, who coaches in the Cavan FC league near Peterborough, got to thinking there must be a great way to galvanize all the Cavan FC players in this COVID-19 social distancing phase.
So to lift their spirits—and in lieu of doing laps—she put out a call to send her videos of how they were keeping the ball moving as a Keep The Ball Moving Challenge.
Coach Liz
“I expected a few video submissions to be sent to me but not the one hundred and fifty plus I received,” Coach Liz tells PTBOCanada.
“What I was reminded of is that your sports teams are part of your family and we are all missing each other right now in this normally busy pre-season!”
Coach Liz says the video submissions weren’t just from the soccer players. “We had some moms, dads, siblings of players—even a dog—get in on the action. And several of our men and women’s team players participated as well.”
We love this video so much—try not to smile as you watch it.
Watch it on YouTube below and share on Facebook…
You can also watch it on Instagram here…
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
How Community Can Support Patients & Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID‐19 Crisis
/The PRHC Foundation has announced that effective immediately, anyone wishing to support Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) patients, frontline healthcare workers and staff during the COVID‐19 crisis can now do so with a dedicated donation.
PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway says that the COVID‐19 crisis will bring unprecedented challenges to PRHC. “Your hospital needs you now more than ever,” says Heighway. “We must ensure our frontline healthcare professionals and staff have the tools, technology and supports they need to care for their sickest patients—and themselves—during this difficult time.”
Photo via PRHC Foundation
With key needs ranging from lifesaving equipment and technology, to supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers and staff, critical funds are required now to ensure PRHC can respond quickly to their fast‐evolving needs as the impact of this virus is felt.
“PRHC’s expert healthcare professionals, staff and leaders are on the frontline of this crisis and they’re mobilizing,” adds Heighway. “They’re ramping up to ensure the right resources are in place, getting ready to take care of us and the people we love with the same expertise, compassion and dedication they demonstrate every day.”
“In the same way that PRHC’s teams are mobilizing to support you, we’re mobilizing now so we can be ready to support them as soon as help is needed,” she adds. “We must act quickly and do whatever we can to lessen the impact on our community, our hospital, its patients, and our frontline healthcare professionals. By making a donation and/or sharing a message of hope and thanks, you’ll be standing behind our frontline healthcare workers as they respond to the challenge ahead, helping to ease their burden.”
For more information or to donate over the phone, call (705) 876‐5000. To donate online, send a Grateful Hearts message, or send a message without a donation, visit prhcfoundation.ca. Donations will also be accepted by mail c/o PRHC Foundation, 1 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
An Enhanced COVID-19 Assessment System Has Been Launched in Peterborough Area
/Local healthcare partners have launched an improved way to assess and test residents for COVID-19 who live in the City and County of Peterborough, and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.
The new model, developed in partnership by Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough Paramedics and Peterborough Public Health, now includes in-home assessment and testing for COVID-19 for residents who cannot travel to one of the existing assessment centres in Peterborough, or who should remain self-isolated.
Residents who have recently travelled and have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath are asked to contact their doctor or nurse practitioner or consult with a nurse at Peterborough Public Health by calling 705-743-1000 or emailing covid19@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
Peterborough Public Health building
