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COVID-19 Vaccinations Available to All Residents over the Age of 6 Months
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) would like to advise residents that the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all residents six months of age and older.
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.
Vaccination FAQ
Submitted by Marina Hodson. Are you as confused as I am about when to get a vaccine, which one to choose and how to get your appointment? Well, I hope the following helps shed some light on what is going on in the City of Kawartha Lakes and area.
Local Vaccine Delivery Expected This Week
Press Release. With more COVID-19 vaccine shipments expected this week, the local public health agency will be initiating vaccination clinics for the next group to be completed under the provincial vaccine distribution plan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Message From the Fenelon Falls Curling Club
The Fenelon Falls Curling Club would like to thank all front line and essential workers during this difficult time.
Acting MOH Urges Vigilance to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
Media Release
With the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continuing to rise throughout the province, the local Acting Medical Officer of Health is urging area residents to do everything they can to stop the spread of the virus.
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.
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.
Health Unit Updates Mask Use Instructions to Cover More Businesses Opening as Part of Stage 3
Submitted by Kendra Fleming
With more businesses and services opening this Friday (July 17) under Ontario’s Stage 3 reopening plan, the local Health Unit is updating its directive around non-medical mask use in indoor public places.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.