PRHC Eases Temporary Family Presence/Visiting Restrictions During COVID-19 Pandemic

With the Peterborough region now in Stage 3 of the provincial reopening, PRHC has announced they will be easing their family presence/visitor restrictions effective Monday (July 20th) as follows:

1. General medical, surgical and mental health inpatient units at PRHC will offer limited family presence/visiting hours on alternating days, from the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This includes ALC/long-term patients, patients receiving rehabilitation and complex continuing care, and behavioural patients with cognitive/neurological impairment.

• A & C inpatient units will permit a maximum of one (1) designated essential caregiver/family member per patient per day, on odd-numbered days only (e.g. July 21, 23, 25)

• B & D inpatient units will permit a maximum of one (1) designated essential caregiver/family member per patient per day, on even-numbered days only (e.g. July 20, 22, 24)

• Essential caregivers/family members are not permitted to switch out during the same day

Graphic courtesy PRHC

2. The following areas of the hospital will continue to have in place unit-specific criteria for essential caregivers/family presence, as described below:

• Labour & Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric and Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (CAPU) patients (under the age of 18) will be permitted two (2) designated essential caregivers/family members simultaneously per day. Caregivers/family members are not permitted to switch out during the same day.

• Palliative Care and end-of life patients will be permitted two (2) essential caregivers/family members maximum simultaneously per day. Caregivers/family members are permitted to switch out once during the same day. Additional caregivers/family members may be permitted for end-of-life patients at the discretion of the care team.

• ICU/Critical Care patients will be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member maximum per day. Caregivers/family members are permitted to switch out once during the same day. Additional caregivers/family members may be permitted at the discretion of the care team.

• Emergency Department (ED) and Crisis Response Unit (CRU) patients will be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member maximum in the following cases:

  • Patients experiencing threatened early pregnancy loss.

  • Patients requiring resuscitation

  • Patients with serious illness who require caregiver presence for assessment/diagnosis/support

  • Patients with dementia, delirium, altered mental status of any cause, frailty, disability or limited capacity

  All other ED/CRU patients will be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member maximum at the discretion of the care team.

• Surgical and procedural patients who require sedation will continue to be permitted one (1) designated essential caregiver/family member for drop-off and pick-up only. This individual will be permitted to return for same-day patients to ensure discharge instructions are communicated and to provide an opportunity to ask questions. Support people will not be permitted to wait inside the hospital or to visit the patient after the surgery/procedure. Wayfinders will be available to take patients to and from the main doors as required.

• Dialysis and Cancer Care outpatients who require medical assistance may require one (1) caregiver to attend for specific appointments, as determined by the care team. Wayfinders will be available to take patients to and from the main hospital entrance as required.

• Ambulatory/outpatient clinic patients will be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member maximum per day at the discretion of the care team.

• Diagnostic Imaging (DI) patients who are having an obstetrical ultrasound, sedated procedure, interventional radiology procedure, or who are under the age of 18 will be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member maximum. Patients requiring special assistance may be permitted one (1) essential caregiver/family member at the discretion of the care team. For all other diagnostic imaging tests and procedures, essential caregivers/family members will not be permitted at this time due to limited space in waiting areas.

• Patients who are suspected or positive for COVID-19 will be permitted one (1) designated essential caregiver/family member per patient, at the discretion of the care team, including end-of-life patients. The caregiver/family member must not be a household or close contact/caregiver of the patient who is suspected/positive for COVID-19. An individual who meets the criteria outlined above will be screened for the safety of patients and staff, and must safely use personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed by the care team.

WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER?

In the hospital setting, an essential caregiver or care partner is a person who provides support to an individual with limited capacity, an urgent medical condition, age-related issues, disability or chronic health concerns. Caregivers may be family, friends or neighbours, and there is no age requirement to provide care. Young caregivers, adult children, spouses and peers can all provide support. These individuals are considered essential when their presence is deemed beneficial to the assessment, diagnosis, and physical and/or mental health care of the patient.

VISITORS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SCREENED

Visitors coming to the hospital will continue to be screened at both public entrances. Visitors will be asked to wear a mask at all times when in the hospital, including in the patient/bed area, to check in at the nursing station on the patient unit before proceeding to the patient room, and to clean their hands well and frequently while at the hospital.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring All Heart CPR & First Aid, Leadercast & 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…  

Amy Dechaine’s business is called All Heart CPR and First Aid. Amy has over ten years’ experience in the health care field as a paramedic, flight paramedic, and air ambulance communications. Amy offers certified training in multi-level CPR, Basic Life Support, First Aid and Emergency First Aid. She provides both business and individual training and can customize your training to meet your needs. Visit allheartcpr.ca for more info.

Andy Tough of RMS events is very aware of how the pandemic has affected local musicians, so he is putting together the “Live at the Barn” series at his Band of Brothers Studio, which is, yes, located in his barn! Andy wants to provide musicians with the opportunity to perform together in a safe environment, and to distribute the edited show on his YouTube channel. Andy has some sponsorship packages available to help support the initiative. For details, call 705-743-5125 or visit rmsevents.ca.

Kevin and Heather Covert and the team at Peterborough Driving School are back at it. They are now offering the 20-hour MTO approved Beginner Driver Education classes online. Students can work at their own pace from home. In-car and in-class lessons will be returning soon, and Medical restriction assessments resumed on Friday. Details at peterboroughdrivingschool.ca.

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Leadercast series continues. Working like a book club, you get access to a number of world-class speakers, by watching a 30-minute video and then joining an online chat to compare key take-aways. The next speaker is Richard Montañez who started his PepsiCo career as a janitor, and went on to create their Flaming Hot Cheetos line, on his way to becoming the VP of Multicultural Sales and Marketing, PepsiCo North America! Other speakers in the lineup include former NBA Basketball star Magic Johnson. Details are at peterboroughchamber.ca.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook 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.

Fleming College Collaborates With Local Studio To Create Opportunities For New Canadians

A unique collaboration by Fleming College, Madderhouse Textile Studios, the New Canadians Centre (NCC) and the Newcomer Sewing Crew has provided opportunities for newcomer women to create hand-stitched cloth face masks while earning a living wage.

The face masks will be distributed to Fleming students, faculty and staff as they return to campus for summer bootcamps beginning July 13th. 

Photo courtesy Fleming College

The Newcomer Sewing Crew is an up-and-coming collective of talented artists and sewists who are invested in providing opportunities for newcomer women to learn entrepreneurial skills and receive fair compensation for their work.

Through this project and others, the Crew’s mission is to strengthen their personal and community connections, and contribute to the social and economic health and wellbeing of our community.

Photo courtesy Fleming College

The face masks are Fleming College branded, designed by Fleming’s Marketing team, printed at Madderhouse Textile Studios and constructed by hand by the Newcomer Sewing Crew. The Crew created 300 masks available in three different colours, in either elastic or tie style.

“As a social enterprise, our mission is to strengthen our personal and community connections through our products and our stories, and to champion the importance of locally-sourced products as a catalyst for boosting community health and well-being,” says Leslie Menagh, Owner-Operator at Madderhouse Textile Studios.

Photo courtesy Fleming College

Since January 2019, Madderhouse Textile Studios and the NCC have been partnering on projects that build on the NCC’s existing sewing programs.

The goal of this program is to expand program participants’ knowledge and skills in the textile industry and provide them with the space and opportunity to express themselves through their artistic and technical abilities.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Riverview Park and Zoo Playground To Re-Open, Zoo To Remain Closed At This Time

The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced in a Facebook post that their playground will be open to the public again starting Wednesday, July 22nd, with the following notifications and guidelines for visitors:

-> Due to limited resources and the safety of visitors and staff, all washrooms will remain closed.
-> Garbage is carry-in/carry-out. Visitors should plan accordingly to help keep the park clean.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

The zoo itself remains closed at this time: This includes the zoo area, all facilities between the gates, amenities and attractions (the zoo, splash pad, gift shop, washrooms, train ride, programs, picnic shelters and facility rentals).

Only essential staff are on-site taking care of the 150 animals, 30 exhibits, grounds and facilities, the zoo says in the post. These limited resources mean that they must continue to focus on what is most important—caring for the animals that live here, and keeping them and the staff who care for them safe.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing At Kinsmen Centre To Continue Until Further Notice

Peterborough Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Peterborough Public Health have announced that the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre will continue to operate weekly from Monday to Friday until further notice.

Photo courtesy PRHC

Here are the changes in hours and other key info you need to know:

• Until Friday, July 24th, the drive-through clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre for residents without symptoms will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• Starting Monday, July 27th, the hours will change to 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The clinic will continue to be open Monday to Friday.

• Testing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that children under one year old will not be swabbed at this clinic and should be referred to their family healthcare provider for testing. This clinic is regularly evaluated and may adjust operations based on demand.

  Those wishing to be tested on the weekend (with or without symptoms) can call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at PRHC at 705-876-5086 to book an appointment. The PRHC Assessment Centre runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, seven days a week, by appointment only.

• Bring your Ontario Health Card with you. You can access your testing results using your Ontario Health Card number on the provincial online portal here.

For more information about COVID-19, click 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.

StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring PKED's Summer Company Business Startups & 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…

Peterborough will be getting another marijuana dispensary. Kasa Kana is owned by brothers Aren and Evan Arkrakas, and they are shooting for a mid-August opening. Located at 1840 Lansdowne St. W. in the Mapleridge Plaza, near Brealey Drive, the brothers are also planning a second location in Huntsville next year. Visit kasakana.com for details.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development Corporation’s Business Advisory Centre announced its 2020 crop of Summer Company business startups:

Andréanna Sullivan’s Cozy Cups Pottery produces mugs, saucers, spoons, and plant pots and trays, as well as commissions. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Breah Beazer Clarke‘s Constellation Crafts specializes in Macramé. From grand wall hangings and chandeliers to plant hangers and reusable produce bags, you’ll find Constellation Crafts on Etsy and social media.

Gabriel Dalgarno’s OG Jigs promises to help you catch fish with beautiful hand-tied marabou jigs. Watch for him on Etsy soon, or email OGJigs@gmail.com.

Mary Wootton has MJ’s Paper Shop with stickers, cards, calendars, journal inserts for those who love to journal, personalize a binder or get a custom card for a special occasion. Check out mjspapershop.ca.

And Shane Willis has launched Eco-Care Lawn Care, a property maintenance company that features an all-electric, zero-emission, environmentally friendly property maintenance approach. Call or text 289-489-9293, or online soon at ecocarelawncare.ca.

Congratulations to all of these young entrepreneurs.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook 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 Local Photographer Captured These Stunning Images Of Comet NEOWISE In Skies Over Peterborough

UPDATE (July 15th)

Here’s a couple more comet images Jay captured on Tuesday night around 10:20 p.m. from the south shore of Little Lake.

———————-

ORIGINAL POST

Comet NEOWISE has been lighting up the early morning skies around the globe this month and Peterborough photographer Jay Callaghan was up bright and early on Thursday (July 9th) to capture it.

Currently NEOWISE is roughly 141 million kilometres from Earth and is gradually making its way closer to our planet as each day passes. The best time locally to see the comet has been in the early morning hours before sunrise, so in the wee hours, around 3:30 a.m., Jay was out capturing stunning images from the top of Armour Hill of the comet as well a great shot over Little Lake with the planet Venus to the right.

View from Armour Hill

“Locating the comet can be a bit of a challenge but with use of websites dedicated to the comet, such as The Sky Live as well as Sky Map app for Android phones, I was able to pinpoint when and where the comet would be when it rose at 2:59 a.m. this morning,” Callaghan tells PTBOCanada.

”Once the location is known, it was easy to find the comet and even see it with the naked eye,” he adds. “The humidity on the horizon made it a bit difficult to see at first but the camera had no issue capturing it.”

View from Armour Hill

View from Armour Hill

Callaghan, known for his beautiful pictures of the outdoors and wildlife in the area and for tweeting—and stormchasing—about the weather locally, used a Canon 80D and Sigma 18-35 and 70-200 lens to take the comet photos.

“The shots ranged in exposure times of anywhere from 1-6 seconds depending on the amount of light as well as other settings on the camera (ISO, aperture, etc),” he tells PTBOCanada.

View from Little Lake

For those interested in viewing the comet, here’s what Callaghan recommends:

-> As the comet gets closer to earth, the chances of seeing it after sunset will increase but unfortunately, at this time, it appears that the magnitude (or brightness) of the comet looks to be getting lower so the sooner you can get out to see it the better. 

-> Make sure to visit the The Sky Live website, enter in your location and keep an eye on the rise and set times of the comet, as well as what constellation it will be residing in, for a chance to catch a glimpse.

-> Your best bet is to get away from city lights and don't forget the binoculars and camera. 

-> The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on July 23rd when it will be approximately 103 million kilometres away and then will slowly disappear from our view.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Unsung Hero Jordan Barrie Lifts Everyone Who Meets Him

Jordan (aka “Jordy”) Barrie, a patient transfer attendant at PRHC, is one of the unsung heroes in this community.

If you ever meet him—and many of you probably have either as a patient or visitor at PRHC—he is a beacon of light and one of the most positive and inspiring people you will ever meet. He gives you hope in times of darkness, and a reassuring smile when you need it most.

Before the the COVID-19 pandemic hit, PRHC created this video on Jordie that they just recently released. It now has nearly 40,000 views on Facebook. Watch it below…

Jordie was also recently recognized on Global News Morning Show in Toronto…

We are so pleased to have @PRHC1's very own Jordan Barrie recognized on the Global News Morning Show today! Start watching the clip below at 4:35, and watch our full video about Jordan here: https://t.co/wXKI2hw6KM https://t.co/4Rmog2aGJf

— PRHC (@PRHC1) July 8, 2020

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Summer Living Local Box Gives Back To Community, Donating Portion Of Proceeds To Hospice Peterborough

The Summer edition of Living Local Box—a local startup which has been a hit with consumers since launching earlier this year—was delivered to doorsteps this past week, spreading cheer and support across Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

This box of locally sourced products contained a collection of seasonal items produced by area entrepreneurs, artisans and small businesses. At a time when supporting local has never been so important, this one little box also has a big impact for local charities such as Hospice Peterborough.

Living Local Box creator Alicia Doris delivers a (socially distanced) Summer box to Hospice Peterborough Past Chair Shelley Barrie.

Since COVID-19 began, Hospice Peterborough has continued to care for people in the community at the end-of-life, or living with a life-threatening illness and grief.

Five dollars from each Summer Living Local Box sold will support the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep residents, their families, staff and the community safe.

"The work of Hospice Peterborough—especially in its residence—doesn't pause for a pandemic,” says Living Local Box founder Alicia Doris. “We are very pleased to be able to contribute $500 to help offset the increasing cost of providing safe, quality care at this trying time. Everyone who purchased a Summer Box is to thank for this show of support.”

To learn more about Living Local Box, click 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.