All Ontarians 18+ Eligible For COVID-19 Booster Appointments at Three-Month Interval Beginning Monday

The Ontario Government is expanding eligibility for anyone 18 and over with a booster dose rollout to battle the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant beginning on Monday.

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Premier Doug Ford made the announcement at Queen’s Park with Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health; Sylvia Jones, Ontario Solicitor General and Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health to provide an update on Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine booster strategy.

The rollout has shortened the interval to three months following an individual’s second dose which previously was no earlier than Jan 4. To provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 and variants during the holiday season, Ontario is also launching a holiday testing blitz starting today to offer rapid antigen screening to individuals free of charge at pop-up sites across the province, as well as select LCBO stores across Ontario according to the press release.

“As we combat the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, nothing matters more than getting these booster doses into people’s arms,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I am issuing a call to arms. We need every member of Team Ontario to stand tall and do their part as we work to protect our hard-fought progress and keep Ontarians safe.”

Anyone eligible can schedule their booster dose appointment through Ontario’s booking portal by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies and primary care settings.

Appointments will be booked three months (84 days) after a second dose as the province urgently expands booster eligibility to millions more individuals. Pharmacies and other channels may provide boosters for 18 and over at the three-month interval starting Friday.

Beginning Wednesday, individuals aged 50 and over as well as all those currently eligible who have already booked their appointment at an interval of six months (168 days) can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to re-book for an earlier date at the three-month interval and can change their appointment through Ontario’s booking portal starting on Monday.

“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, we need all hands on deck to help limit transmission and protect our hospital capacity,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine offers additional protection against the Omicron variant, and I urge everyone to get their booster dose as soon as you can. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the vaccine, now is the time.”

To further strengthen its response to Omicron, effective Sunday at 12:01 a.m., Ontario intends to introduce a 50 per cent capacity limit to the following indoor areas of venues with a usual capacity of 1,000 or more:

• Facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities

• Entertainment facilities such as concert venues, theatres and cinemas

• Racing venues

• Meeting and event spaces

• Studio audiences in commercial film and television production

• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions

• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

• Fair, rural exhibitions, and festivals

This measure is being taken to reduce opportunities for close contact in high-risk indoor settings with large crowds and when face coverings/masks are not always worn.

As part of the government’s enhanced testing strategy, starting Wednesday, up to two million rapid tests will be provided free of charge at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets, public libraries and transit hubs.

Pop-up teams will be deployed at nearly 50 locations across the province, including some co-located with GO-VAXX mobile vaccine buses. Most sites will distribute free take-home rapid antigen test kits, subject to supply and some will offer asymptomatic rapid antigen screening on-site. The government will also make take-home rapid tests available at select LCBO stores, starting with the busiest stores this week and with more stores being added in the coming days.

Ontarians can visit Ontario.ca/holidaytesting to find out if pop-up rapid antigen screening sites will be available in their area. Locations and operating hours will be updated weekly and no appointment will be required.

The latest available data suggests that the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant and will become the dominant variant by the end of the month according to the Ontario Government.

They also say early evidence suggests that a third dose or booster can further increase protection against severe illness and hospitalization. While cases were always expected to rise, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant could put additional strain on Ontario’s hospital capacity, making it critical that all Ontarians receive their booster dose as soon as possible.

Ontario’s cautious approach and high vaccination rates have contributed to keeping hospital and intensive care unit capacity stable. As of Dec. 15, there were 153 COVID-19 related critical illness patients in ICU. The seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 related critical illness patients in ICU is 154. Approximately 600 ICU beds are available with nearly 500 additional ICU beds available for surge capacity if required.

To quickly scale up capacity to administer up to previous peak vaccination capacity, the province has asked public health units, hospitals, pharmacists, primary care providers and other health care providers to ramp up additional vaccinations sites and prioritize the administration of first, second and booster doses across the province.

On Tuesday, 127,000 vaccines were administered in Ontario, well above recent provincial capacity, and the province is continuing to ramp up to administer 200,000 to 300,000 doses per day by next week based on demand. The province is also partnering with additional health care providers and first responders to support Ontario’s vaccination efforts and administer more shots in arms.

Ontario is engaging with large corporations who have the capabilities to implement workplace and community clinics to support the booster dose rollout for employees, their families and the local community. Bruce Power, in partnership with Grey Bruce Health Unit, will be the first corporate-led vaccine clinic, starting the week of Dec. 20.

In addition, the successful mobile vaccine clinic strategy will be expanded to meet the evolving challenges of COVID-19 and its variants. More information on the corporate and mobile clinics will be available in the coming weeks. The province will also be expanding the Stop the Spread Business Information Line to allow businesses to request vaccine supply to administer on-site for employees. Businesses will need to meet certain criteria to ensure proper storage and safe administration of the vaccines including the availability of health human resources. More information on the corporate and mobile clinics will be available in the coming days.

“Today’s announcement underlines our government’s ongoing priority to keep Ontarians safe while protecting our health care systems and communities from COVID-19 and its variants,” said Sylvia Jones, solicitor general. “We are expanding our efforts to include workplace and mobile vaccine clinics with the support of our health care and corporate partners as well as public health units, to ensure that first, second and booster doses are easily and conveniently accessible across the province to all Ontarians.”

“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant we need to do more to strengthen our defence against the virus, and vaccines are the most effective way we can do that,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “If you are eligible for a booster or have not yet had your first or second dose, please come forward to get vaccinated. It will provide you, your loved ones and your community with vital layer of protection throughout the winter season.”

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Peterborough Public Health Seeking Help For COVID-19 Mass Immunization Clinics

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is looking for healthcare workers, volunteers and administrative support to aid in the COVID-19 vaccine mass immunization clinics as soon as possible.

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The call came from Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health and CEO in a tweet on Tuesday.

“We are looking to dramatically increase our vaccination efforts in the face of Omnicron at Peterborough Public Health and we need your help,” he tweeted.

We are looking to dramatically increase our vaccination efforts in the face of #omicron at @Ptbohealth & we need your help!

— Dr Thomas Piggott (He/Him) (@twpiggott) December 14, 2021

Online forms are available for anyone who wish to sign up for healthcare workers, volunteers and administrative support.

Volunteer roles include:

• Greeter/Screener - welcomes clients, confirms clients have an appointment, screening for COVID-19 related symptoms

• Client Flow Monitor - ensures clients are physically distanced, directing clients to vaccination chairs

• Runner - carefully transporting containers of pre-filled vaccine syringes from pre-loading area to the vaccination cart

• Post Vaccine Monitor - observes clients after they receive their immunization for five minutes, wave/flag to notify Client Flow Monitors that you have an available chair in your row

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Operation Catnip Peterborough Is Hosting An Online Raffle To Fund 2022 Operations

Operation Catnip Peterborough is hosting an online raffle on their Facebook page to raise money for future vet bills and to fund their spay/neuter program.

Operation Catnip is an organization of volunteers that use the ‘trap, neuter, release’ method. They catch stray or feral cats, spay or neuter them and then either find the cat a home or release it back into the wild.

To date the organization has helped over 1700 cats in 380+ colonies.

Only 200 tickets will be sold, and the raffle will occur when all are gone. Tickets are $10 per ticket, or 3 tickets for $25.

They can be purchased by sending an E-transfer to opcatptbo@gmail.com.

Prizes include giftcards to local shops like Juniper, The Food Forest Café, and ‘76 Sips Cafe. There are also items like Petes tickets, christmas gift baskets and candles.

Operation Catnip is also selling mugs with their logo, designed by volunteer and graphic designer Kim Russell, for $20.

Mugs, and more information about the raffle, are available on Operation Catnip’s Facebook page.

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City Accepting Applications For Peterborough Youth Council

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Peterborough Youth Council 2022 term.

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Young people between the ages of 12 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Peterborough Youth Council.

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in the community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.

This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In accordance with the City of Peterborough - COVID-19 Workplace Vaccination Policy, all volunteers are required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to beginning their volunteer role.

Visit the City’s website at www.peterborough.ca/youthcouncil to learn more and complete an application.

The application deadline is January 16, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.

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Peterborough Family Band Spreads Their Faith With New Children's Program 'Yes,Lord'

A local family band, Rhythm and Grace, has partnered with Salt and Light media to create an advent series for children.

Photo courtesy of Rhythm and Grace Music.

The Duketow family lives just outside of Peterborough and consists of Alex, Miriam and their nine children, aged 4 -19 years old.

Their original music draws inspiration from celtic, blues and gospel and includes fiddles, step-dancing, singing, accordion, electric bass, guitar, piano, and the Irish whistle.

When the Duketow’s were approached by Salt and Light Media and asked if they would create a music program to help children learn about and celebrate the Lenten season they jumped at the chance.

“The Easter programs were kindof a pilot program, then Salt and Light said they went over really well and asked us to do another series on Advent and Christmas,” said Duketow.

“It’s a real privilege for us to be able to help other children and families enter into the Advent and Christmas season,” said Alex Duketow. “It’s so special to have the role of reminding other the reason behind Christmas. It’s something that our whole family tries to remember because that brings true peace to our hearts- that God loves us unconditionally - so we share that with anyone that watches.”

Through October and November the Duketow’s were busy writing new music, and filming episodes.

“The kids have really enjoyed being part of the process,” he said. “As you can imagine you can’t just start practicing a couple days before. We’d be at the dinner table every day practicing.”

Now, ‘Yes, Lord’ releases a new episode every Friday morning for a kid-friendly approach to the Sunday Mass readings and homily.

“I’m so proud of the kids, especially the younger kids because they’ve just really shown how responsible they can be. We tell them often ‘The better you’re prepared to share songs with a bright smile, the more you’ll help other children have a bright smile on their face.’.”

Episodes can be watched online, or on Salt + Light TV LIVE

“It’s geared towards children, but a lot of people find that whether you’re a child or a child at heart you tend to appreciate this.”

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Peterborough Petes Become First OHL Team To Host Pro Women's Hockey Game

The Peterborough Petes will be the first OHL team to host a Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association (PWHPA) game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) announced Tuesday.

Kassidy Sauvé (left), Team Sonnet goaltender of PWHPA (left) and Molly Farace (right) of the PGHA U15 AA Ice Kats were the two active women’s hockey representatives at the Petes press conference on Tuesday morning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Team Sonnet, PWHPA’s Toronto hub and Team Harvey’s, PWHPA’s Montreal hub, will compete against each other on Feb 19. The game will occur only days after the 2022 Olympic Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game in Beijing. 

“It’s an absolute honour to host these elite athletes at the PMC in the new year,” said Shelbi Kilcollins, Petes’ director of marketing and growth. “The opportunity to collaborate alongside the PWHPA is a long-time dream for the Peterborough Petes.”

“This is equivalent to an NHL game with the ladies. These are the best women hockey players in the world that are going to be here at the Memorial Centre,” said Dave Pogue, Petes president. “It's going to be a treat for certainly the young girl hockey players that are going to be able to get their teams in here to watch the game but really anybody that hasn't seen an event like this has to come down.”

Jayna Hefford, Hockey Hall of Inductee, Olympic gold medalist and PWHPA Chairperson virtually appeared at the conference. Attendees included David Branch, OHL Commissioner; Michael Oke, Petes general manager; Dave Pogue, Petes president; Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor; Kassidy Sauvé, Team Sonnet goaltender and Molly Farace, U15 AA Peterborough Ice Kats forward.

"The fact that the Petes have partnered with the PWHPA says a lot about their organization,” said Sauvé. “The fact that they are committed to not only growing the game on the men's side but also the women's side.”

“It's part of our mandate to grow the future of hockey and not just boys hockey but girls hockey and it's a tremendous honour to have it here in Peterborough,” said Pogue.

Pre-sale tickets are available on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. through the Grant Thornton Box Office.

Kilcollins is an assistant coach for Farace and the U15 AA Ice Kats. The team won its third tournament of the season at the Brampton Two Nations Cup on Dec. 5. Farace tallied the championship assist in a 1-0 victory over the North York Storm.

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Peterborough Police Welcome Two New Constables

Constable Kristopher DiClemente and Constable Jeff VanBelleghem have been welcomed to Peterborough Police Services announced on Tuesday.

Constable Jeff VanBelleghem, Chief Scott Gilbert, Constable Kristopher DiClemente.

The pair recently completed basic training at Ontario Police College and have been officially sworn in, receiving their badges.

“Congratulation to our two new recruits, the Peterborough Police Service welcomes you and recognizes your commitment to serve and protect our communities,” said Scott Gilbert, Chief of Police.

These new officers were both special constables with the Peterborough Police Service.

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Michael Papadacos Appointed Interim Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services

Michael Papadacos, Manager of Infrastructure Management for the City of Peterborough, will serve as the City’s Interim Commissioner for Infrastructure and Planning Services effective Jan. 5, 2022 while the City conducts a recruitment to fill the senior position.

Papadacos is a professional engineer and a member of the Project Management Institute. He has a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Studies from Trent University. Papadacos joined the City in 2019 after over 15 years in the private sector managing projects and operations.

As the Manager of Infrastructure Management, Papadacos leads the division that coordinates and manages programs focused on ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the City’s infrastructure, such as watershed planning, low-impact development, conveyance sewer system performance and capacity analysis, corporate asset management, sustainability and climate change, GIS technology and mapping services, and urban forestry.

The Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services has a broad range of responsibilities with the department encompassing the City’s Planning Division, Building Inspection and Protective Services, the Peterborough Airport, Engineering, Construction and Public Works, Transportation, Environmental Services, Infrastructure Management, and Real Estate/Business Development.

The Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services is one of three Commissioner positions that are part of the senior administrative team at the City of Peterborough. Each Commissioner manages a department. The Commissioners report to the City’s Chief Administrative Officer.

The open recruitment process to fill the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services position is expected to take four to six months.

The current Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services, Cynthia Fletcher, is resigning from the City effective January 4, 2022 to take a Chief Administrative Officer position with the Township of Georgian Bluffs.

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Two Letters of Instruction For Workplaces and Food Premises

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott issued two Letters of Instruction on Monday for workplaces and food premises designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in high-risk settings as the community braces for the impact of the Omicron variant.

“More stringent measures are needed now in high-risk settings to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases as other jurisdictions are experiencing,” said Dr. Piggott. “These measures focus on keeping local businesses open while ensuring they can operate safely and protecting staff and patrons.”

Effective December 15, 2021, local workplaces are instructed to shift all non-essential employees to remote work arrangements, except where on-site presence is required. Essential staff who must remain on-site must keep 2 metres physical distance from each other and stagger lunch times to avoid crowded eating areas. If a workspace does not allow for physical distancing (e.g. in vehicles or confined workspaces), workers must wear tightly-fitting masks.

Social gatherings are also prohibited in workplaces, and can only take place in designated event facilities where public health measures can be enforced. Full details can be found in Monday’s Letter of Instruction for Workplaces available here.

Also taking effect on Dec. 15, 2021, food premises will also be expected to comply with the following instructions: 

• Ensure that the maximum number of patrons seated at each table does not exceed 10 people. 

• Arrange the premises to ensure that patrons seated at separate tables are distanced by at least 2 metres, or separated by an impermeable barrier. 

• Allow patrons to consume food and/or beverage only while seated. 

• Modify buffet-style food service to permit only one table at the buffet at a time, and ensure patrons wear masks at all times when accessing the buffet.

• Ensure that all serving staff (including waitstaff and bartenders) are provided with, and wear, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in close proximity to patrons who are eating and/or drinking. PPE includes the following: A medical-grade, tightly fitting face mask; and Eye protection, such as a face shield or safety glasses. 

• Advise patrons to wear tightly-fitting face masks when they are not actively eating or drinking. This includes when moving throughout the premises or while socializing at their table.

Dr. Piggott explained that Ontario is experiencing increased rates of transmission of COVID-19, primarily as a result of high circulation of Delta and Omicron variants of concern. Today’s provincial data revealed the majority of cases of COVID-19 are identified as Omicron. Therefore, precautionary measures are needed until a greater proportion of our region has received a third dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Dr. Piggott went on to say with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it is clear that vaccinated individuals can also transmit the infection. Therefore, multiple strategies are important to reduce the spread of the virus.

“We know transmission is happening in mixed groups of older and younger, vaccinated and unvaccinated, and that is why these protective instructions are required in the Peterborough area,” he said.

Vaccination continues to be strongly recommended by Dr. Piggott as provincial data reveals this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.

According to data as of Dec. 6, 2021, unvaccinated residents are experiencing more serious health outcomes:

Vaccinated:

• 8.8 cases per 1,000,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19 

• 3.3 cases per 1,000,000 people in the ICU with COVID-19

Unvaccinated:

• 164.9 cases per 1,000,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19 

• 94.6 cases per 1,000,000 people in the ICU with COVID-19

For more information visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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