With Ontario reporting a record-high 9,571 new COVID-19 cases on Friday (December 24), a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Health has issued a statement.

“The day after Quebec reported over 9,000 cases in a single day, Ontario has done the same,” reads the statement from Alexandra Hilkene, press secretary to health minister Christine Elliott.

“Due to the highly-transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, it was expected that case numbers would increase in the winter months. We expect they will continue to increase over the coming days and weeks, as other jurisdictions are seeing similar case rate increases per capita.”

“While the province’s ICUs continue to remain stable, we expect the number of admissions to rise in the coming weeks as Omicron spreads, particularly among the unvaccinated. To date, the effectiveness of vaccines has meant that despite a rapid increase in cases, we have not seen a corresponding increase in hospitalizations and ICU admissions.”

“Investments in Ontario’s hospital capacity have resulted in 600 ICU beds being immediately available with nearly 500 more ICU beds available for surge capacity if required. Ontario is ready for an increase in hospital and ICU admissions as we accelerate the booster rollout.”

“Vaccines remain the best protection against Omicron, and Ontario continues to urgently ramp up its capacity to administer COVID-19 vaccines, with over 253,000 doses administered Wednesday. As the province continues to administer booster doses to all Ontarians 18 and older over the coming days and weeks, the province has put in place additional public health and workplace safety measures, such as capacity and social gathering limits, that will help to curb transmission and continue to safeguard Ontario’s hospital and ICU capacity.”

“The coming days and weeks will require ongoing vigilance. This holiday season, please celebrate safely, get vaccinated and follow the public health measures that we know work and have protected us over the last 20 months. The Chief Medical Officer of Health will continue to review the data and evidence and our government will act as necessary to protect our health care system and the health and safety of Ontarians.”

Friday’s increase of 9,571 cases is 3,781 higher than Thursday’s case count of 5,790, which was already by far the most cases ever reported in a single day in Ontario since the pandemic began.

Most of Friday’s new cases are in larger urban centres including Toronto (2,456), Peel (1,113), Halton (745), Ottawa (624), York (604), Hamilton (487), Middlesex-London (379), and Durham (349).
However, every region of the province is reporting at least 10 cases.

In the greater Kawarthas region, Peterborough is reporting 113 new cases, Hastings Prince Edward is reporting 105, and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District is reporting 60.

Over the next four days, the province will not be issuing updates due to the holidays. The next provincial update will be next Wednesday (December 29), when cases from December 25 to 28 will also be reported.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for a wintry mix of weather in the northern Kawarthas region for late Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

The special weather statement is in effect for northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and northern Hastings County.

A warm front associated with a low pressure system is expected to sweep through the region on Christmas Eve and slowly progress eastward on Christmas Day.

Precipitation associated with the front is expected to begin Friday evening or overnight as snow or ice pellets, before transitioning over to freezing rain or freezing drizzle. Some communities may even see rain during the transition. Untreated roads may become slippery and drivers are urged to exercise caution.

Environment Canada says there is still some uncertainty regarding the timing and duration of the potential freezing rain. Freezing rain or freezing drizzle advisories may be issued later as the event draws nearer.

The freezing rain risk is expected to end Christmas morning for most communities, as temperatures rise well above freezing. There’s a good chance of rain throughout Christmas Day.

Four restaurants in Peterborough have decided to temporarily close this week due to COVID-19.

On Tuesday (December 21), Rare restaurant at 166 Brock Street announced they are closing after they were notified a guest who dined at the restaurant on December 14 has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have not yet been contacted by Peterborough Public Health, but Tyler and I have decided it best to close down the restaurant early before the holidays to allow our staff time to self monitor for symptoms and get tested if needed,” writes co-owner Kassy Scott on social media.

Using their contact tracing information, Rare has contacted all diners who were at the restaurant on December 14, and has cancelled all reservations for the remainder of the week. They will be reopening next Tuesday (December 28).

“Instead of feeling sad about it we are going to try to look at it as time off we wouldn’t have had with our kids,” Kassy writes. “We will look forward to feeding you again soon!”

On Wednesday (December 22), One Fine Food at 800 Erskine Avenue announced on social media they are closing until further notice, “due to a COVID-19 close contact in the restaurant and an abundance of caution.”

On Thursday (December 23), Capra Toro at 139 Hunter Street West announced they “proactively” closed the restaurant as of December 22.

“We were informed that one of our team members may have been in close contact with a positive COVID case outside our restaurant,” they write on social media. “We feel it is safest to close our doors preemptively until we have their test results and guidance from public health to reopen in a safe manner.”

The restaurant says it is contacting all guests who have dined there recently to inform them of the situation.

Also on Thursday, The Night Kitchen at 168 Hunter Street West announced they were closing at least for the day.

“One of our employees has come into close contact with a positive rapid test roommate,” they write on social media. “Out of an abundance of caution we have decided to close.”

As Christmas Eve nears and with the number of new local COVID-19 infections rising in unprecedented fashion, Peterborough’s medical officer of health is urging a night more silent than anything we’ve experienced.

During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Thursday (December 23), Dr. Thomas Piggott said it’s more than important now than ever before that residents follow local and provincial guidance, including limiting indoor gatherings to 10 or less people (25 or less outdoors), confirming family members and guests are vaccinated, screening for symptoms, and ensuring that the gathering space is well ventilated and all are wearing tightly fitting masks as much as possible.

“If you’re looking to use rapid antigen tests to make a holiday gathering that already fits within the guidance safer, be sure to do testing immediately before the gathering because test results can change quickly,” advised Dr. Piggott, noting test results should not be considered valid for any longer than the day of the gathering.

“Rapid antigen testing is only one layer of protection. Just like we have to layer up to go outside in the cold winter, we need to layer up in our response to COVID. If you don’t have access to rapid antigen testing, the other layers are just as, or more, important.”

Dr. Piggott’s guidance for gatherings comes as number of active cases of COVID-19 in the Peterborough region hit a pandemic high, with 208 reported as of late Wednesday afternoon. Provincially, Ontario has also reported a pandemic high of 5,790 daily cases on Thursday.

Fuelling the number of active cases locally is a high daily new case count, with 23 new cases confirmed on both December 19 and 20, 51 reported on December 21, and 38 new cases recorded December 22. This week to date, 112 new cases have emerged, just one shy of last week’s pandemic-high weekly new case count of 113.

That number will rise dramatically today (Thursday), with Dr. Piggott noting that 91 new cases have been confirmed since Wednesday’s tally was provided.

“That is far beyond anything we’ve experienced to date in the Peterborough region,” Dr. Piggott said.

“What we’re seeing is probably the tip of the iceberg. Because of delays and challenges accessing testing and because of the fact that many people may be asymptomatic, and may not think they need testing because they have just one or two symptoms and they’re protected by the vaccine, I suspect transmission is much more rampant than we’re aware of.”

Meanwhile, the number of local COVID-related deaths has risen to 28, with Dr. Piggott confirming the death of an individual in their 40s who was vaccinated with two doses but had a complicating medical condition.

There are two outbreaks locally, both reported Wednesday: one associated with Crestwood Secondary School and the other at Extendicare Lakefield.

Speaking to local vaccination efforts, Dr. Piggott said a new approach has just been adopted due to “significant” issues with the Pfizer vaccine supply in Ontario. To counter that, all residents over the age of 30 will receive the Moderna vaccine for their third dose.

“We have to save supply of the Pfizer vaccine for people under the age of 30 — there is a NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) recommendation of preferentially using the Pfizer vaccine for that population due to a lower risk of myocarditis and pericarditis,” said Dr. Piggott, adding “There’s emerging evidence that the Moderna booster is slightly more effective against the omicron variant. It’s a great vaccine.”

To date, 23.9 per cent of eligible local residents aged 18 and up have received a third booster shot. Those seeking a third shot can book an appointment online at covid19.ontariohealth.ca or by phone at 1-833-943-3900. Walk-ins will not be accommodated. Some local pharmacies are also offering booster shots.

“In the past week, we’ve seen a nearly six-fold increase in the number of vaccine appointments we are able to offer residents in an effort to accelerate rollout of the booster,” said Dr. Piggott. “Up until the middle of January, we have 6,300 appointments available at last check.”

As of late Wednesday afternoon (December 22), 84.5 per cent of eligible residents aged five and up have received one dose while 79.6 per cent have received two doses. Meanwhile, first dose vaccination of local children aged 5 to 11 has again seen a huge uptake this past week, now at 40 percent. With no walk-ins being taken, parents and guardians must book a vaccination appointment. Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca/clinics for a listing of locations and times of clinics.

Based on the number of residents who have received a booster shot in a relatively short time, as well as the growing demand for that extra protection, Dr. Piggott is heartened.

“People are starting to realize that this (the omicron variant) is here,” he said. “I’m very heartened to see all the individuals coming forward for the third dose, and to see the wonderful support and compliance we’re getting from the public, and also our businesses.”

“Everyone is collaborating. Everyone wants to get through this. I think we will, but we’re not through the thick of it yet. We have a lot of work to do.”

As for daily case counts and active cases over the next week, Peterborough Public Health will be updating its daily COVID-19 dashboard found at localcovidtracker.ca once more this week, at noon on Friday (December 24), before returning to daily updates again next Wednesday (December 29).

Also participating in Thursday’s media briefing were Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien, county warden J. Murray Jones, Hiawatha First Nation chief Laurie Carr, and Selwyn mayor and Board of Health chair Andy Mitchell.

All expressed their thanks to public health staff and vaccine clinic volunteers for the long hours and unrelenting effort to keep local residents both safe and informed.

Effective Thursday (December 23), both Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay have introduced more restrictive visitor policies to help protect the health and safety of patients and staff in the face of surging COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant.

At PRHC, patients belonging to specific groups may have two designated essential caregivers registered to them. In most cases, only one designated caregiver will be permitted in the patient’s room at one time.

An essential caregiver or care partner is a person who provides support to a patient with limited capacity, an urgent medical condition, age-related issues, a disability. or chronic health concerns. Caregivers may be family, friends, or neighbours, and there is no age requirement to provide care.

Designated essential caregivers will be permitted at PRHC for the following patient groups only:

• Patients who are near end-of-life.
• Patients who are under 18 years of age (supported by parents or legal guardians).
• Patients who require a support person in the emergency department, at the discretion of the care team.
• Patients who are giving birth at the hospital (supported by birthing partner).
• Patients who clinically require a support person to safely attend their appointment or support inpatient care. This includes patients with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities, and who have challenges with communication and mobility.
• Patients who require a support person when receiving a life-altering diagnosis or experiencing a mental health crisis. In the Emergency Department, this will be at the discretion of the care team due to capacity limitations and infection control protocols.
• Other critical or urgent circumstances requiring family presence, including visits to the ICU.

Visiting hours for designated essential caregivers will continue to be 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., subject to additional restrictions as detailed on PRHC’s website. For more information, visit
prhc.on.ca/about-us/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/visiting-prhc-during-covid-19/

Designated essential caregivers coming to the hospital will continue to be screened at both public entrances and will be required to check in with their name and phone number at the hospital’s main information desk. They will be asked to wear a mask at all times when in the hospital, including in the patient/bed area, and to clean their hands well and frequently while at the hospital.

At Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, each admitted patient is now allowed only two designated visitors for the duration of their hospitalization (visitors must be at least 16 years of age) and only one can visit each day.

Exceptions apply for end-of-life, critically ill, childbirth, and vulnerable patients. For a full list of exceptions, visit rmh.org/covid-19 and see the “Visiting Restrictions and Protocols” section.

All visitors must be double vaccinated except visitors who fall under specific exceptions, who will be required to submit to a rapid antigen test upon entering the hospital. All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, and those who fail screening will be denied entry.

Visitors must wear a hospital-issued mask at all times and maintain at least two metres distance between patients and members of the care team at all times. Cloth masks or any other face-covering brought from home will not be accepted.

Both PRHC and Ross Memorial Hospital offer virtual visits through video calls or telephone calls.

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day are all statutory holidays in Ontario that fall on the weekend this year. All liquor and beer stores are closed, except for a selected few that will be open on Boxing Day. Government offices and services, which are normally closed on weekends, will observe the statutory holidays on the next business day, with many municipal offices closed for the entirety of Boxing Week. Most businesses — including malls, box stores, and grocery stores — are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day but are open on Boxing Day. Many businesses close early in the afternoon on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

For your convenience, we provide this list of holiday hours for 271 selected businesses and services across the Kawarthas. This information comes from their websites and social media accounts, which may or may not be up to date, so please always call them first to confirm their hours (we’ve included phone numbers), especially when you are travelling any distance. Where you see “Call” or “Call to confirm”, that means we either couldn’t find any information or we don’t have a lot of confidence the hours listed on a business’s website are up to date. If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form. We do not list restaurants as there are too many to include.

Search by business name, location, or keyword:

Beer & Liquor Stores

Drug Stores, Pharmacies & Health Services

Government Services

Grocery Stores

Malls & Box Stores

Other Stores

Recreation & Leisure

Veterinary Clinics

When tossing around ideas to end 2021 and ring in the New Year, GreenUP staff combined two of their most favourite things: sustainable solutions and our vibrant community. The result? A topic that is hopeful, intriguing, and celebratory, and that taps into the local community to share hope and positivity in the face of challenge.

For the next three weeks, we’ll fill your minds (and hearts) with responses from local visionaries — community leaders, cultural leaders, and thought leaders — to the question, “What is your green wish for our community for 2022?”

The answers we got are diverse and thought-provoking, but they all have one thing in common: they express their love for the greater Peterborough region!

Below are green wishes from our local political and business leaders.

Happy holidays from the team at GreenUP!

Andy Mitchell, Peterborough County Deputy Warden and Mayor of Selwyn Township

My green wish for Selwyn Township is to reduce the amount of waste created during the holiday season.

When wrapping gifts, think of using reusable materials or recyclable products. Ribbon, bows, and tissue paper may be festive, but they are not recyclable.

Instead of throwing them away, reuse them next year or opt for more sustainable options like boxes and bags.

You can even use newspaper as wrapping paper and cut old holiday cards for gift tags!

Jeannine Taylor, Publisher and Founder of kawarthaNOW

My green wish for 2022 is that we recognize, as a community, that we need to protect and preserve the waterways that we live on.

I have been fortunate to live in East City since 1992. We often visit Rogers Cove, Beavermead, and Ecology Park, which are all ecological gems in our neighbourhood. Historically, our community was established on and around Jackson Creek, Otonabee River, and Little Lake and these waterways are, in fact, the reason for the community being here.

Twenty months of pandemic overuse are readily visible on their shorelines. My green wish includes that we prioritize the well-being of our waterways and ensure that these ecosystems will be protected.

“Little Lake is a distinct resource in the heart of the city’s urban area. Few cities have a resource like Little Lake that supports a wide variety of uses, both on the water and in the parks and open spaces at the water’s edge.” – The City of Peterborough Little Lake Master Plan, 2009

Michelle Ferreri, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha

My green wish for 2022 is for the people of Peterborough-Kawartha to get out and enjoy what our incredible community has to offer.

We have the most pristine lakes, beautiful nature trails, and conservation areas all around us.

By getting out and enjoying these areas, it helps to understand why we need to sustain this environment.

Rhonda Keenan, President and CEO of Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED)

PKED is the lead regional economic development agency for the City and County of Peterborough and is committed to fostering economic growth through sustainability and innovation.

Knowing how difficult these past two years have been on business and the regional economy, it is my green wish for 2022 that we attract a new, innovative, clean technology company to Cleantech Commons at Trent University, one that will drive cleantech research, and create new cleantech jobs for this region.

Stuart Harrison, President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

As we navigate our way through the global pandemic, I’m reflecting on what got us through it, and I’m not thinking of Zoom…

I’m thinking that our most valuable tools were also the simplest: food, family, fresh air, and a good walk.

My green wish for 2022 is that these simple pursuits continue to work their magic on our physical and mental health.

GreenUP reached out to many people to invite them to share their green wishes for 2022. This is a busy time, and so we wanted to express our gratitude to those who were able to participate and acknowledge those who were unable to find the time: your work is important to the vibrancy and health of our community.

In particular, we want to appreciate Dr. Thomas Piggott, our new medical officer of health at Peterborough Public Health. Understandably, Dr. Piggott and his incredible team were unable to share their green wishes with us at this time.

They have, however, expressed many wishes (and requirements and instructions) for how we can all continue to do our part to keep our community safe and healthy during the ongoing pandemic. Please visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca for the latest guidance and updates.

Finally, while we’ve asked local leaders to share their green wish for our community for 2022, we want to hear from everyone! Please share your wish with us on social media @PtboGreenUP or by visiting greenup.on.ca/green-wish.

We will be back next week with green wishes from local environmental and social justice leaders.

The emergency department at Campbellford Memorial Hospital will be closed over Christmas Eve due to staff shortages.

According to a media release from the hospital issued on Wednesday evening (December 22), the emergency department will close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24) and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25).

The hospital made the decision to temporarily close the emergency department “due to difficulties in staffing this essential service having considered the quality of care requirements of our community.”

Before making the decision, the hospital reached out to other health care partners in the region for staffing assistance. According to the hospital, partners were “incredibly supportive” but unable to help because of their own human resource challenges dealing with the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly highlighted the implications of the shortage of health human resources throughout the province,” says Eric Hanna, the hospital’s president and CEO. “CMH is continuously re-evaluating our strategies to recruit and retain members of our team during these challenging times.”

The hospital has implemented a contingency plan for the temporary closure, including advising EMS and other emergency services of the closure.

Any area residents requiring emergency health care treatment during the closure should call 911. During the hours of the closure, ambulances will take patients directly to the closest area hospital that offers emergency medical services.

During the closure, area residents requiring urgent but non-emergency health care treatment should go directly to one of the following hospitals in the region: Northumberland Hills Hospital at 1000 DePalma Drive in Cobourg, Trenton Memorial Hospital at 242 King Street in Trenton, Belleville General Hospital at 265 Dundas Street East in Belleville, Peterborough Regional Health Centre at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough.

On Wednesday (December 22), the federal government announced it is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 support programs to include businesses and workers affected by capacity limits arising from the spread of the omicron variant. Prior to the federal announcement, the Ontario government announced a new property tax and energy rebate program for businesses along with a six-month deferral period for most provincial taxes.

The federal government is temporarily expanding its definition of a lockdown to include public health orders in provinces and territories that reduce capacity limits by at least 50 per cent. Previously, the definition only included public health orders that required a business to close its doors to the public for at least two weeks.

“Today, through regulatory authorities that were approved with the passage of Bill C-2, we are announcing our decision to temporarily expand the definition of a lockdown, so that these wage and rent support programs can support workers and businesses that see capacity restricted by 50 per cent or more,” said federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland during a virtual media conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The expanded definition, which includes provincial and territorial orders involving capacity restrictions of 50 per cent or more, is retroactive to December 19 and also reduces the minimum number of days a lockdown order needs to be in place to meet the new definition from 14 consecutive days to seven consecutive days.

Under the new definition, the Local Lockdown Program will include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more, and the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement will be reduced to 25 per cent. Eligible employers will receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to 75 per cent, depending on how much revenue they have lost loss.

“If you are an employer who has to reduce the capacity of your main business by 50 per cent or more, you will be eligible for wage and rent subsidy support through the Local Lockdown Program,” Freeland said. “Your organization only needs to demonstrate revenue loss during the current month, compared with 2019. Employers will be able to apply for these expanded support programs after the end of each program period, in exactly the same way that they received wage and rent subsidy support when those programs were launched last year.”

For workers, the expanded definition means the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit will include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more.

“This benefit will put $300 a week in your pocket to supplement your lost wages,” Freeland said.

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit is available to workers who have lost 50 per cent or more of their income, including workers who are ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) as well as those who are eligible for EI, as long as they are not paid benefits through EI for the same period.

Both the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit are available retroactively from October 24 to May 7, 2022, although the expanded lockdown definition is only retroactive to December 19.

The expanded lockdown definition will remain in place until February 12, after which it will revert to the original definition of a lockdown to mean the closure of non-essential commercial activities or services for at least 14 consecutive days.

“Public companies receiving the wage subsidy through these support programs that increase their top executive compensation in 2022 compared to 2019 will have this wage subsidy support clawed back,” Freeland added. “These companies will also become ineligible if they pay dividends while receiving the wage subsidy.”

Prior to the federal announcement, the Ontario government announced a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

Through the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, eligible businesses will receive rebate payments equivalent to 50 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to the current capacity limits. Examples of eligible businesses include restaurants, smaller retail stores, and gyms.

A full list of eligible business types will be made available in mid-January 2022, when online applications for the program will open. Payments to eligible businesses will be provided retroactive to December 19. Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

The province is providing an optional six-month interest- and penalty-free period for businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes, including the employer health tax, taxes on beer, wine, and spirits, tobacco tax, insurance premium tax, fuel tax, international fuel tax agreement, gas tax, retail sales tax on insurance contracts and benefit plans, mining tax, and race tracks tax.

The six-month period will begin on January 1 and end on July 1, 2022.