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Province to Move Local Health Unit Region to ‘Yellow’ COVID-19 Level
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

Province to Move Local Health Unit Region to ‘Yellow’ COVID-19 Level

As of 12:01 am on Monday (March 8), the Ontario government will move the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) region to its Yellow COVID-19 colour category. This is the second-lowest level in Ontario’s five-colour COVID-19 Response Framework, and one step below the current Orange category that the area has been in for the past three weeks since the provincial Stay-at-Home order was lifted in mid-February.

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First COVID-19 Variant of Concern Detected in Local Health Unit Area
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

First COVID-19 Variant of Concern Detected in Local Health Unit Area

The local public health agency has been notified of the first case of COVID-19 variant of concern in a local resident. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) received the test results last night and has notified the individual who resides in Northumberland County. The individual had already been identified as a confirmed case and has been in isolation prior to receiving notification they have a variant of concern. All of the person’s high-risk contacts had also been reached previously and are in isolation as well.

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Take Part in ‘Talk With the Doc’ Virtual Town Halls to Stay Informed on COVID-19
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

Take Part in ‘Talk With the Doc’ Virtual Town Halls to Stay Informed on COVID-19

Local residents are encouraged to attend upcoming ‘Talk With The Doc” Virtual Town Halls being presented by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU). Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmill will host the “Talk With the Doc” sessions scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, from 1 to 2 pm and Tuesday, March 2, from 1 to 2 pm. During the online information sessions, Dr. Gemmill will provide COVID-19 updates and answer the audience’s questions. Topics will include information on the local COVID-19 cases and transmission rates, the rollout of vaccines in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, and HKPRDHU’s ongoing pandemic response.

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Local Vaccination Program Paused Until Additional Vaccine Arrives
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

Local Vaccination Program Paused Until Additional Vaccine Arrives

The local Health Unit will be rescheduling upcoming vaccination clinics planned for area long term care homes after learning of a delay in the next vaccine delivery. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) received its first shipment of Moderna vaccine on Monday. It was expecting its next delivery of Moderna vaccine on February 1 but has learned the next shipment will not arrive until at least February 5. This delay means that clinics scheduled for next week to vaccinate the residents of long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes, and a senior’s housing facility in Alderville will all need to be rescheduled.

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A Dose of Good News - First Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

A Dose of Good News - First Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives

The health unit today received the first local allocation of COVID-19 vaccine and is rolling out its plan to start vaccinating residents of the area’s long-term care homes this week. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) has received 700 doses of the Moderna vaccine and may receive more next week. Following the roll out plan put forward by the province, the Health Unit will be delivering the vaccine to area long-term care homes so that residents can be vaccinated as soon as practical. The province announced today that it has revised its goal and is aiming to have all residents of long-term care and retirement homes vaccinated by February 5, 2021.

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Déjà Vu
#TogetherAtHome, Lifestyle Megan Barton #TogetherAtHome, Lifestyle Megan Barton

Déjà Vu

Submission by Marina Hodson at Kawartha North FHT

Here we go again…. Déjà Vu is a feeling that you have experienced something before and literally translated means “already seen”. Personally, when the current lockdown was announced in December, I had more than a little bit of a feeling of Déjà Vu and I imagine I was not alone.

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Giving Thanks... Safely
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

Giving Thanks... Safely

Submitted by Kendra Fleming

With the Thanksgiving holiday almost here, area residents are being reminded to serve up COVID-19 safety with the usual fall festive fare. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging everyone to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday long weekend. This includes staying close to home as much as possible and ideally only marking Thanksgiving with those in your immediate household.

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Required Mask Use in Commercial Establishments
Community News Guest User Community News Guest User

Required Mask Use in Commercial Establishments

Submitted by the HKPR Health Unit

The requirement for non-medical mask or face covering use within local businesses will come into effect at 12:01 am July 13, 2020. The use of masks will be required while the provincial Emergency Order remains in force or until such time that the MOH lifts the requirement.

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FanSaves Helps Gift Certificate Program

FanSaves Helps Gift Certificate Program

Submitted by FanSaves

With local businesses forced to close or reduce their hours amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the newly launched FanSaves Helps Gift Certificate Program is helping give business owners a boost across the country, Kawartha Lakes and Fenelon Falls. The program is working with the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and features gift certificates from local stores which can be used once things get back to normal.

“We noticed some areas were starting their own gift certificate programs so we decided to create a one-stop-shop and a hub for gift certificates from local businesses in partnership with Chambers, BIAs and organizations in regions across Canada. This is our way of giving back during this time” explained FanSaves Co-Founder & CEO, Shannon Ferguson.

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Kawartha COVID-19 Response Team Mask Challenge
Lifestyle Megan Barton Lifestyle Megan Barton

Kawartha COVID-19 Response Team Mask Challenge

Submitted by Sandra Clements

The Kawartha COVID-19 Response Team would like to challenge the community of Kawartha Lakes to make 2020 masks in 20 days. We are getting requests for these masks on a daily basis. If you make them we can pick up and distribute to the groups that are requesting them. Please contact me if you are able to help, have masks ready for pick up or your community group or essential service requires masks. If you can help but need supplies we can help with that too. If you are sewing and already handing out to friends and neighbours - send me a message with your count and we will add to the tally too. Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated.

Here’s a link for the mask pattern: https://www.skiptomylou.org/face-mask-pattern/

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Health Unit Issues Order
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

Health Unit Issues Order

Submitted by Kendra Fleming

To help protect area residents, the local Health Unit is taking stronger steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit today (April 14) issued a Class Section 22 Order that will require anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, is considered a probable case, or has had contact with a confirmed case, to self-isolate in their home for 14 days. If the person fails to self-isolate as required, the Health Unit can ask the court to fine them up to $5,000 a day.

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COVID-19 = Feeding our Community
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

COVID-19 = Feeding our Community

Submitted by WG Jackett & Sons Construction, Youngs Construction, and Rockwood Forest Nurseries

On March 11, the outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.

In response, communities across Ontario and the world are coming together by fundraising for those in need. Our initiative is to feed the community by providing vegetables which are potted in 1-gallon containers, through the support of three industry leaders:

- WG Jackett & Sons Construction (https://www.wgjackett.com/ )

- Youngs Construction (http://youngsconstruction.ca/ )

- Rockwood Forest Nurseries (http://www.rockwoodforest.com/

Our goal is to pot a minimum of 100,000 containers, but with a target of 200,000 containers, starting in early April, with availability for "zero contact" distribution by June.

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Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. partners with Ross Memorial Hospital
Support Local Business, Community News Megan Barton Support Local Business, Community News Megan Barton

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. partners with Ross Memorial Hospital

Submitted by Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.

Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. has partnered with Ross Memorial Hospital in the City of Kawartha Lakes to support urgent COVID-related equipment and technology needs as the RMH team responds to the pandemic.

With the spread of COVID-19 in the world, and now in the Kawarthas community, Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. is giving back to people that need support most. Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. has partnered with the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation to support urgent COVID-related equipment and technology needs as the Ross Memorial Hospital team responds to the pandemic in the Kawartha Lakes.

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An Update from Jardine Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
Community News Megan Barton Community News Megan Barton

An Update from Jardine Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

Submitted by Monica Bertrand-Jardine

As most are aware, funeral homes and their staff are essentials workers facing the current pandemic and the fight again Covid-19. We have watched as our neighbours in Bobcaygeon face this on an almost daily basis for the last three weeks. We pray for all funeral professionals and their staff on the frontlines caring for our recently deceased.

Rob and I, along with Julie Knox and Robert Blane, are currently working diligently to prepare and be ready in the event that our community starts to show signs of an outbreak. As with everything you read and see online, continue to be diligent with your hand washing, social isolation and distancing.

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