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Ontario reports 1,273 new COVID-19 cases, with 29 new cases in greater Kawarthas

By kawarthaNOW -

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

Today, Ontario is reporting 1,273 new cases, with 3 of Ontario’s 34 health units (Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa) reporting triple-digit increases. The seven-day average of daily cases has fallen to 1,353 and the proportion of active cases has decreased for the 39th straight day.

Both hospitalizations and ICU admissions have decreased, with a small increase in the number of patients on ventilators. Ontario is reporting 14 new deaths, with no deaths in long-term care homes.

With over 8.6 million vaccine doses administered, 59% of Ontario’s total population has now received at least one dose of vaccine. A record number of people received their second dose yesterday, with over 4.2% of the entire population now fully vaccinated.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 29 new cases to report (including 23 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Peterborough, and 1 in Hastings Prince Edward) and an additional 30 cases resolved. The net number of active cases across the region has decreased by 1 to 282, with active cases decreasing everywhere except Kawartha Lakes, which saw a jump of 22 active cases. See below for details from each individual health unit.

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Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto (269), Peel (268), and Ottawa (101).

There are double-digit increases reported today in Hamilton (78), Durham (72), York (56), Niagara (55), Halton (51), Waterloo (46), Middlesex-London (39), Simcoe Muskoka (28), Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (27), Windsor-Essex (25), Porcupine (22), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (22), Thunder Bay (16), Brant (15), Peterborough (14), Lambton (13), and Huron Perth (12), with smaller increases in Hastings Prince Edward (8), and Haldimand-Norfolk (7).

The remaining 12 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 3 health units (Northwestern, Timiskaming, and Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington) reporting no new cases at all.

Of today’s new cases, 62% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (544) among people ages 20-39 followed by 325 cases among people ages 40-59 and 249 cases among people 19 and under.

With 2,362 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.2% to at 95.4% — the 39th straight day the percentage of resolved cases has increased. The average positivity rate across Ontario has decreased by 0.2% to 3.4%, meaning that 34 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on May 27.

The effective reproduction number of the COVID-19 variants, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time in a partially immunized population, has decreased by 0.05 to 0.74. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, this number needs to remain less than 1.

Ontario is reporting 14 new COVID-19 deaths today, with no new deaths in long-term care homes. The seven-day average of daily deaths has decreased by 2 to 19.

Hospitalizations have decreased by 49 from yesterday to 1,023, with the number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs decreasing by 5 to 645 and the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators increasing by 6 to 458.

A total of 40,866 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation decreasing by 7,066 to 16,002.

A total of 8,690,473 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 159,775 from yesterday, and 624,920 people have been fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, a record increase of 30,066 from yesterday.

The number of fully vaccinated people represents 4.24% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.20% from yesterday, with fully and partially vaccinated people representing 58.99% of the total population, an increase of 1.08% from yesterday. An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.

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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 29 new cases to report, including 23 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Peterborough, and 1 in Hastings Prince Edward. There are no new cases in Northumberland or Haliburton. An outbreak at Medi-Share Inc. in Lindsay was declared on May 27.

There has been 1 new hospitalization in Peterborough, 1 new hospitalization in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 new ICU admission in Hastings Prince Edward.

There are 42 new regional cases of variants of concern, including 16 in Kawartha Lakes, 14 in Hastings Prince Edward, 6 in Northumberland, and 6 in Peterborough.

An additional 30 cases have been resolved, including 19 in Peterborough, 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, and 4 in Northumberland.

There are currently 282 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 1 since yesterday, including 158 in Kawartha Lakes, 67 in Peterborough, 32 in Hastings Prince Edward (7 in Quinte West, 6 in Belleville, 4 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 4 in Prince Edward County, 4 in Central Hastings, and 7 in North Hastings), and 25 in Northumberland. There are no active cases in Haliburton.

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,493 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,406 resolved with 20 deaths), 991 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (790 resolved with 56 deaths), 914 in Northumberland County (872 resolved with 17 deaths), 118 in Haliburton County (117 resolved with 1 death), and 1,119 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,076 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on May 27.

The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 4 p.m. the previous day, as well as from systems in Toronto, Ottawa, and Middlesex-London at 2 p.m. the previous day. Data from local health units is more current and is usually reflected in the provincial data the following day. There may be discrepancies between the Ontario data reported today (which is from yesterday) and the local health unit data reported today (which is from today).

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 1,493 (increase of 6)*
Total variants of concern cases: 675 (increase of 6)
Active cases: 67 (decrease of 13)
Close contacts: 182 (decrease of 24)
Deaths: 20 (no change)
Resolved: 1,406 (increase of 19)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 67 (increase of 1)*
ICU admissions (total to date): 15 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 52,300 (increase of 50)
Total vaccine doses administered (residents and non-residents): 79,150 (increase of 9,161 as of May 27)
Number of residents who have received first dose: 72,120 (increase of 7,921 as of May 27)
Number of residents fully vaccinated: 6,659 (increase of 1,807 as of May 20)
Outbreaks: Unidentified workplace #9 in Peterborough County, Unidentified workplace #10 in Peterborough County, Fairhaven long-term care home in Peterborough (no change)

The health unit is reporting 5 new cases in the last 24 hours. The total case count has increased by 6 because 1 case has been added to a previous day.

*As of May 28, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting 9 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change) and a total of 76 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The health unit provides reports from Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 2,023, including 991 in Kawartha Lakes, 914 in Northumberland, and 118 in Haliburton (increase of 23 in Kawartha Lakes)*
Total variants of concern cases: 702, including 350 in Kawartha Lakes, 319 in Northumberland, and 33 in Haliburton (increase of 22, including 16 in Kawartha Lakes and 6 in Northumberland)
Active cases: 183, including 158 in Kawartha Lakes, 25 in Northumberland, and 0 in Haliburton (net increase of 18, including increase of 22 in Kawartha Lakes and decrease of 4 in Northumberland)
Probable cases: 1 in Kawartha Lakes (no change)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 74, including 40 in Kawartha Lakes, 31 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (increase of 1 in Kawartha Lakes)**
Deaths (including among probable cases): 74, including 56 in Kawartha Lakes, 17 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change)
Resolved: 1,779, including 790 in Kawartha Lakes, 872 in Northumberland, and 117 in Haliburton (increase of 4 in Northumberland)
Tests completed: 193,288 (increase of 1,527)
Vaccine doses administered to residents: 95,921 (increase of 10,136 as of May 25)
Number of residents fully vaccinated: 7,335 (increase of 2,458 as of May 25)
Outbreaks: Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Campbellford Farm Supply LTD, Medi-Share Inc. in Lindsay (increase of 1)***

*The health unit states that total counts and counts for individual counties may fluctuate from previously reported counts as cases are transferred to or from the health unit based on case investigation details and routine data cleaning.

**As of May 28, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 3 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change).

***An outbreak at Medi-Share Inc. in Lindsay was declared on May 27.

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 1,119 (increase of 1)
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 483 (increase of 14)
Active cases: 32 (decrease of 6)
Deaths: 11 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 6 (decrease of 4)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 3 (increase of 1)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 1 (no change)
Resolved: 1,076 (increase of 7)
Tests completed: 142,929 (no change)
Vaccine doses administered: 91,330 (increase of 2,303)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 7,412 (increase of 279)
Outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 528,453 (increase of 1,273)
COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) cases: 123,186 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 837); 914 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (increase of 74); 2,616 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 72)
VOC R(t): 0.74 (decrease of 0.05 as of May 23)*
7-day average of daily new cases: 1,353 (decrease of 88)
Positivity rate: 3.4% (decrease of 0.2%)
Resolved: 504,304 (increase of 2,362), 95.4% of all cases (increase of 0.2%)
Hospitalizations: 1,023 (decrease of 49)
Hospitalizations in ICU: 645 (decrease of 5)
Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 458 (increase of 6)
Deaths: 8,711 (increase of 14)
7-day average of daily new deaths: 19 (decrease of 2)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,951 (no change)
Total tests completed: 15,144,303 (increase of 40,866)
Tests under investigation: 16,002 (decrease of 7,066)
Vaccination doses administered: 8,690,473 (increase of 159,775), 58.99% of Ontario’s total population (increase of 1.08%)**
People fully vaccinated (two doses): 624,920 (increase of 30,066), 4.24% of Ontario’s total population (increase of 0.20%)**

*R(t) is a virus’s effective reproduction number, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time (t) in a partially immunized population. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, R(t) needs to be less than 1.

**An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.

COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 27 - May 27, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 27 – May 27, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 27 - May 27, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 27 – May 27, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 27 - May 27, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 27 – May 27, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 27 - May 27, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 27 – May 27, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 27 - May 27, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 27 – May 27, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

‘Dramatic jump’ in COVID-19 vaccination rate in Peterborough region, with more than 9,000 doses administered in past week

By Paul Rellinger -
A few of the 9,000 people in the Peterborough region who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the past week, at the mass vaccination clinic at Evinrude Centre on May 26, 2021. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

With more than 9,000 Peterborough region residents vaccinated in just the past week, the region’s medical officer of health expects 60 per cent of all vaccine-eligible city and county residents will have received at least their first dose by the end of day Saturday.

“We’ve seen a dramatic jump … we’ve really turned on the tap,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra during a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Friday (May 28).

As of 5 p.m. Thursday (May 27), 79,150 vaccine doses had been administered locally, 72,120 of those going into residents’ arms with 6,659 having received two doses and considered fully vaccinated.

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Ontario ‘ready to deliver a two-dose summer’ by accelerating second doses of COVID-19 vaccine

On Friday, the province confirmed 65 per cent of Ontario’s adult population has now received a first dose of vaccine and announced it is accelerating the administering of second doses, starting with those who at at least 80 years of age.

The increased eligibility will be coupled with additional doses of vaccine, according to Dr. Salvaterra.

“We have been assured that those (health units) not in hot spots that have received less vaccine per capita can expect to receive more vaccine throughout June to help us catch up,” she said.

“Starting May 31, anyone who is age 80 years or older who has had their first dose can reschedule an earlier second dose according to local (vaccine) availability,” Dr. Salvaterra explained. “Most of those over 80 do have their second dose appointments (already booked) but even if that’s not the case, the provincial booking system will now allow people to book a single appointment.”

“You must go online if you’re looking to rebook an earlier date for that second dose, or call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900. New appointments will replace those that had been previously booked.”

Those who received their first dose at a hospital clinic should contact their public health unit for booking details. People who received their first dose through a primary care provider or a pharmacy should contact them for booking details.

During a technical media briefing the morning of May 28, 2021, provincial officials released this schedule for second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (Graphic: Ontario government)
During a technical media briefing the morning of May 28, 2021, provincial officials released this schedule for second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (Graphic: Ontario government)

Starting on June 14, the age 70 to 79 years old group can begin booking their second dose appointments. The following weeks will see eligibility to book extended to lower age groups, roughly based on four weeks after the date they received their first does.

Meanwhile, those waiting for their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be eligible for that within 12 weeks of their first dose. Those who received a first dose of AstraZeneca may become eligible for a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, depending on pending guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

According to Dr. Salvaterra, 200 doses of AstraZeneca due to expire May 31 were made available to local health care providers to provide second doses to those patients who were immunized with a first dose before March 20.

“Here in Peterborough, primary care immunized more than 5,000 people (with AstraZeneca),” said Dr. Salvaterra, adding “We’ve had indication from the province that more AstraZeneca will be arriving here in June.”

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As the vaccination pace picks up speed, local infection numbers continue to show steady improvement.

As of Thursday (May 27) at 4:30 p.m., the number of active cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake and Hiawatha was reported as 80 — a decrease of nine since Tuesday. Meanwhile, the number of close contacts of positive cases being monitored by public health staff has also dropped significantly and now stands at 206, 118 less than what was reported Tuesday.

This week has seen 29 new cases detected. With May winding down, the total news cases count for the month stands at 260, well less than April’s new case count of 353.

Two additional COVID-related deaths have been reported this week. Dr. Salvaterra offered few details but did confirm both are community members, not residents of a long-term care or retirement homes.

She added both had been immunized, noting one of two things occurred: they either became infected before their vaccine protection kicked in, or they became infected despite being vaccinated but had an underlying health condition that contributed to the extent of their illness.

There are currently three outbreaks in the Peterborough region, including one at Fairhaven that Dr. Salvaterra described as “stable” with one resident and two staff members infected and now self-isolating.

With the provincial government confirming Ontario’s stay-at-home order will expire June 2, there has been much speculation as to whether the province will initiate step one of its three-step reopening plan immediately or wait until the week of June 14 as originally scheduled.

“We might be in a position where we have good reason to move ahead,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “It will be a provincial decision. We’re not going back to the regional (colour-coded) framework.”

“I’ve been watching those (provincial) numbers every night. They’re still above 1,000 (new cases daily). We need to see those go down below 1,000 and stay there. That’s what we’ll need to see before the Premier feels confident taking us into the next step of reopening.”

Also commenting during Friday’s briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.

25,000th dose of vaccine administered at Ross Memorial Hospital’s drive-through clinic at Lindsay Exhibition

By kawarthaNOW -
Katie Richardson of Bethany receives a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the drive-through vaccination clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition on May 28, 2021, the 25,000th dose administered at the clinic since it opened in March. Lorah Otter, a registered practical nurse at Ross Memorial Hospital, administered the vaccine to Richardson and her fiancé. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital)

Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay has administered the 25,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine at its drive-through clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition.

Katie Richardson of Bethany received the 25,000th dose on Friday morning (May 28). The 29-year-old Richardson and her 29-year-old fiancé Alex Gambino were given the vaccine by Lorah Otter, a registered practical nurse at Ross Memorial Hospital.

“As soon as I could get the vaccine, I wanted to get it,” Richardson said after receiving her vaccine. “I had the day off work and am eligible, so I decided to come. It was a really good experience, really efficient. I feel good.”

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The 25,000 doses delivered at the hospital’s clinic — all of which have been the Pfizer vaccine — represent more than a third of all vaccine doses administered in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s region, which includes Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

A total of 74,661 doses have vaccine have been administered to date in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton. In Kawartha Lakes, almost 54 per cent of residents 12 years and older have received at least one dose of vaccine.

Ross Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic is supported by the local health unit, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Services, and the Lindsay Exhibition where the clinic has been operating Monday to Friday since March 18. The clinic operates as a drive-through model, with people remaining in their vehicles for the duration of their appointment.

The staff at Ross Memorial Hospital's COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition celebrates the 25,000th dose administered at the clinic on May 28, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital)
The staff at Ross Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition celebrates the 25,000th dose administered at the clinic on May 28, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital)

“Our mission from the outset was to organize and operate the clinic so that it runs efficiently, effectively, and above else, safely for everyone who attends,” says Ross Memorial’s vaccination clinic manager Jennifer Burns-West.

“A big thank you is in order for the support of our clinic partners and to our on-site Ross Memorial staff as this has truly been an all-hands-on-deck operation. I am very proud of how our efforts have been received by the community.”

Reopening of swing bridges in Peterborough and Bobcaygeon delayed until July

By kawarthaNOW -
There's been no through traffic on Parkhill Road East in Peterborough since October 2020, when Parks Canada began a project to replace the Warsaw Swing Bridge. Originally expected to reopen in the spring before the opening of navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway, the bridge is now scheduled to reopen by early July. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)

Parks Canada has announced the reopenings of both the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge in Peterborough and the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge for vehicle and pedestrian use have been delayed until July.

Boater navigation is unaffected by the delays.

The Warsaw Road Swing Bridge, located on Parkhill Road East, is expected to reopen to vehicles and pedestrians in early July. In the interim, local traffic continues to be detoured along alternate routes.

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Over the winter months, the steel swing bridge structure was completely replaced, with repairs to concrete abutments and replacement of mechanical and electrical operating systems also completed.

The bridge is also now capable of handling full highway loading. During early July, the contractor will conduct five days of testing of the bridge with a live load. If testing is successful, the bridge will open for vehicle and pedestrian use. Otherwise, the bridge will remain closed until additional hydraulic or mechanical adjustments can be completed..

After the bridge is reopened, some work will continue, including installation of signage and paving. This work may require single-lane closures or short delays without notice. Landscaping will take place in the fall.

The Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge, located on Main Street at Canal Street, will reopen by the end of July for vehicle use. A temporary measure will be installed to complete bridge swings, which will operate slower than normal and may result in delays.

For pedestrians, access will be provided across the lock gates. A temporary pedestrian bridge has been removed. An enhanced crossing including wheelchair access ramps will be available in mid-June.

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Areas on the lock station grounds currently gated due to construction will remain so until construction is completed. Safe access to the lower north island mooring area will be provided (follow the onsite signage).

The bridge’s steel superstructure and concrete foundations have been rehabilitated, with mechanical and electrical operating systems replaced. The steel deck is being replaced with a new wooden deck in keeping with the original heritage structure.

The project was not completed in May as originally scheduled because of delays with the fabrication and delivery of hydraulic and mechanical components. As well, some components of the bridge were in worse condition than originally anticipated.

Ontario ‘ready to deliver a two-dose summer’ by accelerating second doses of COVID-19 vaccine

By kawarthaNOW -
People leave the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough on May 26, 2021, after receiving their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Under the province's accelerated schedule for second doses, they will be eligible to receive their second dose during the first week of August. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

The Ontario government “is ready to deliver a two-dose summer” by offering everyone in the province their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of August — as long as the expected vaccine supply holds up.

With 65 per cent of Ontario’s adult population having now received their first vaccine dose, the province is shortening the interval between first and second doses from 16 weeks to as little as four weeks.

“We’re now in a position to accelerate second doses in Ontario,” Premier Doug Ford said during a media conference at Queen’s Park on Friday (May 28). “This is great news, and I know many of you have been waiting for it.”

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“The faster we can deliver vaccines, the faster we can put this pandemic behind us for good,” Ford said. “We see what’s happening in other places, where people have been fully vaccinated. The good news is, that can be us. Based on what we know about upcoming shipments, everyone in Ontario who wants a vaccine could be fully vaccinated by the end of August … Ontario is ready to deliver a two-dose summer.

Beginning next week (May 31), people 80 years and older in Ontario will become eligible for their second dose of vaccine, followed by people ages 70 to 79 during the week of June 14.

Starting at the end of June, everyone over the age of 25 will become eligible for their second dose based on the date of their first dose.

People who received their first dose between March 8 and April 18 will become eligible the week of June 28. Those who received their first dose between April 19 and May 9 become eligible the week of July 19, those who received their first dose between May 10 and 30 become eligible the week of August 2, and those who received their first dose on May 31 and after become eligible the week of August 9.

For those under 25, including children and youth ages 12 to 17, they will become eligible for their second dose the week of August 9.

During a technical media briefing the morning of May 28, 2021, provincial officials released this schedule for second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (Graphic: Ontario government)
During a technical media briefing the morning of May 28, 2021, provincial officials released this schedule for second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (Graphic: Ontario government)

The interval between first and second doses could be as little as four weeks, depending on the local availability of appointments and vaccine supply.

People who have already received their first dose and have a second appointment booked are not required to reschedule their second appointment unless they choose to do so.

The government is encouraging people to receive their second dose at the same location where they received their first dose, such as a mass vaccination clinic or a pharmacy. However, Ontarians will have the option to reschedule their second appointment at a different location if they choose to do so.

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Second dose appointments can be scheduled through the provincial booking system or at pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccines. People who received their first dose at a hospital clinic should contact their public health unit for booking details. People who received their first dose through a primary care provider or a pharmacy should contact them for booking details.

For people waiting for their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, they will be eligible for the second dose within 12 weeks of their first dose. People who received their first dose of AstraZeneca between March 10 and 19 were offered the opportunity to book their second dose during the week of May 24.

Those who received a first dose of AstraZeneca may become eligible for a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, depending on pending guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The Ontario government also confirmed the provincial declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order will expire on Wednesday, June 2nd. The province’s “emergency brake” will remain in effect, with public health measures and restrictions still in place, until the province is ready to enter step one of its reopening plan, expected to begin Monday, June 14th.

At a media conference at Queen's Park on May 28, 2021, Ontario premier Doug Ford announced the province is accelerating administration of second doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the summer. (CPAC screenshot)
At a media conference at Queen’s Park on May 28, 2021, Ontario premier Doug Ford announced the province is accelerating administration of second doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the summer. (CPAC screenshot)

During Friday’s media conference, Premier Ford also addressed the issue of the reopening of schools, saying he is seeking more opinions before making a decision.

On Thursday (May 27), Ford sent a letter to pediatric and medical experts, local medical officers of health, and teachers’ unions and associations — 55 in all — asking them to respond to seven detailed questions on whether it is safe to reopen schools before the end of the academic year. Ford asked for their responses by 5 p.m. the following day.

“We have to ensure any decision is based on sound scientific and medical advice that protects students and staff in schools,” Ford said during the media conference. “I look forward to hearing back from our experts and using their input to make the decision that best protects our students and school staff.”

Asked by a reporter to respond to critics who have said “you’re looking for someone else to blame if reopening of schools goes south”, Ford said he will take responsibility for the consequences of his decision, but he remains concerned by projections by the province’s top science experts that reopening schools could result in thousands of additional cases.

“I want to make sure, looking forward, that we’re able to get the kids in camp,” Ford said. “I want to look forward to make sure we have a great September for the kids to go back into school. This could affect our opening as well … I’m going to be super cautious.”

 

PDF: Premier of Ontario – Letter to Stakeholders – May 26, 2021
Premier of Ontario - Letter to Stakeholders - May 26, 202

72-year-old Omemee man wins $2.5 million in Lottario draw

By kawarthaNOW -
Wayne Best of Omemee with his cheque for more than $2.5 million. (OLG-supplied photo)

Wayne Best of Omemee is Kawartha Lakes’ latest multimillionaire.

The 72-year-old father of two won $2,520,857.80 in the May 15th Lottario draw. Not that he needed it, but he also won $5 on his Encore selection.

A regular lottery player — he last won $8,000 25 years ago — Best bought his winning ticket at Mount Pleasant Convenience on Queen Mary Street in Cavan.

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“I don’t normally play Lottario, but I thought I’d try it after the cashier suggested it,” he says.

Best says he plans to share his winnings with loved ones, complete some home renovations, buy a car, and invest.

There may be yet another lottery multimillionaire in the Kawartha Lakes. One of two jackpot-winning tickets in the May 22nd Lotto 6/49 draw, each worth $4,437,083.40, was sold in Kawartha Lakes.

Ontario reports 1,135 new COVID-19 cases, Peterborough records its 20th death

By kawarthaNOW -

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

Today, Ontario is reporting 1,135 new cases, with only 2 of Ontario’s 34 health units (Toronto and Peel) reporting triple-digit increases. The seven-day average of daily cases has fallen to 1,441 and the proportion of active cases has decreased for the 38th straight day.

There has been a small decrease in hospitalizations and a larger decrease in ICU admissions and patients on ventilators. Ontario is reporting 19 new deaths, including 1 in a long-term care home.

With over 8.5 million vaccine doses administered, almost 58% of Ontario’s total population has now received at least one dose of vaccine. A record number of people received their second dose yesterday, with over 4% of the entire population now fully vaccinated.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 18 new cases to report (including 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, 6 in Peterborough, 4 in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 in Northumberland) and an additional 30 cases resolved. There has been 1 new COVID-related death in Peterborough, the region’s 20th death.

The net number of active cases across the region has decreased by 16 to 283, with active cases decreasing everywhere except Hastings Prince Edward, which saw 1 additional active case. See below for details from each individual health unit.

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Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto (316) and Peel (271).

There are double-digit increases reported today in York (75), Hamilton (66), Simcoe Muskoka (47), Halton (46), Waterloo (44), Ottawa (37), Porcupine (36), Middlesex-London (35), Durham (25), Windsor-Essex (24), Niagara (22), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (16), and Brant (14), with smaller increases in Sudbury (9), Hastings Prince Edward (9), Southwestern (9), and Northwestern (6).

The remaining 15 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 2 health units (Timiskaming and Renfrew) reporting no new cases at all.

Of today’s new cases, 63% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (501) among people ages 20-39 followed by 288 cases among people ages 40-59 and 209 cases among people 19 and under.

With 2,302 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.2% to at 95.2% — the 38th straight day the percentage of resolved cases has increased. The average positivity rate across Ontario has fallen 1.7% to 3.6%, meaning that 36 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on May 26.

The effective reproduction number of the COVID-19 variants, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time in a partially immunized population, has decreased by 0.04 to 0.79. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, this number needs to remain less than 1.

Ontario is reporting 19 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 1 death in a long-term care home, with the seven-day average of daily deaths remaining unchanged at to 21.

Hospitalizations have decreased by 1 from yesterday to 1,072, with the number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs decreasing by 22 to 650 and the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators decreasing by 17 to 452.

A total of 24,008 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation increasing by 4,550 to 23,068.

A total of 8,530,698 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 143,748 from yesterday, and 594,854 people have been fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, a record increase of 25,537 from yesterday.

The number of fully vaccinated people represents 4.04% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.18% from yesterday, with fully and partially vaccinated people representing 57.90% of the total population, an increase of 0.98% from yesterday. An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.

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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 18 new cases to report, including 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, 6 in Peterborough, 4 in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.

There has been 1 new COVID-related death in Peterborough, the region’s 20th death. There is 1 new hospitalization in Kawartha Lakes.

There are 9 new regional cases of variants of concern in Peterborough.

An additional 30 cases have been resolved, including 13 in Peterborough, 7 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Northumberland, and 5 in Hastings Prince Edward. An outbreak at an unidentified congregate living facility #3 in the City of Peterborough was declared resolved on May 26. An outbreak at an unidentified workplace in Belleville was declared resolved on May 27.

There are currently 283 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 16 since yesterday, including 136 in Kawartha Lakes, 80 in Peterborough, 38 in Hastings Prince Edward (8 in Quinte West, 8 in Belleville, 5 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 4 in Prince Edward County, 6 in Central Hastings, and 7 in North Hastings), and 29 in Northumberland. There are no active cases in Haliburton.

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,487 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,387 resolved with 20 deaths), 969 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (790 resolved with 56 deaths), 914 in Northumberland County (868 resolved with 17 deaths), 118 in Haliburton County (117 resolved with 1 death), and 1,118 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,069 resolved with 11 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on May 27.

The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 4 p.m. the previous day, as well as from systems in Toronto, Ottawa, and Middlesex-London at 2 p.m. the previous day. Data from local health units is more current and is usually reflected in the provincial data the following day. There may be discrepancies between the Ontario data reported today (which is from yesterday) and the local health unit data reported today (which is from today).

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 1,487 (increase of 7)*
Total variants of concern cases: 669 (increase of 9)
Active cases: 80 (decrease of 9)
Close contacts: 206 (decrease of 63)
Deaths: 20 (increase of 1)
Resolved: 1,387 (increase of 15)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 66 (no change)*
ICU admissions (total to date): 15 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 52,250 (increase of 100)
Total vaccine doses administered (residents and non-residents): 79,150 (increase of 9,161 as of May 27)
Number of residents who have received first dose: 72,120 (increase of 7,921 as of May 27)
Number of residents fully vaccinated: 6,659 (increase of 1,807 as of May 20)
Outbreaks: Unidentified workplace #9 in Peterborough County, Unidentified workplace #10 in Peterborough County, Fairhaven long-term care home in Peterborough (decrease of 1)**

The health unit is reporting 6 new cases in the last 24 hours. The total case count has increased by 7 because 1 case has been added to a previous day.

*As of May 27, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting 9 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (decrease of 2) and a total of 76 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).

**An outbreak at an unidentified congregate living facility #3 in the City of Peterborough was declared resolved on May 26.

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The health unit provides reports from Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 2,001, including 969 in Kawartha Lakes, 914 in Northumberland, and 118 in Haliburton (increase of 5, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Northumberland)*
Total variants of concern cases: 680, including 334 in Kawartha Lakes, 312 in Northumberland, and 33 in Haliburton (no change)
Active cases: 165, including 136 in Kawartha Lakes, 29 in Northumberland, and 0 in Haliburton (decrease of 8, including 3 in Kawartha Lakes and 5 in Northumberland)
Probable cases: 1 in Kawartha Lakes (no change)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 73, including 39 in Kawartha Lakes, 31 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (increase of 1 in Kawartha Lakes)**
Deaths (including among probable cases): 74, including 56 in Kawartha Lakes, 17 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change)
Resolved: 1,775, including 790 in Kawartha Lakes, 868 in Northumberland, and 117 in Haliburton (increase of 12, including 7 in Kawartha Lakes and 5 in Northumberland)
Tests completed: 191,761 (no change)
Vaccine doses administered to residents: 95,921 (increase of 10,136 as of May 25)
Number of residents fully vaccinated: 7,335 (increase of 2,458 as of May 25)
Outbreaks: Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Campbellford Farm Supply LTD (no change)

*The health unit states that total counts and counts for individual counties may fluctuate from previously reported counts as cases are transferred to or from the health unit based on case investigation details and routine data cleaning.

**As of May 27, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 3 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change).

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 1,118 (increase of 7)
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 469 (no change)
Active cases: 38 (increase of 1)
Deaths: 11 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 6 (decrease of 4)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 2 (decrease of 2)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 1 (decrease of 2)
Resolved: 1,069 (increase of 5)
Tests completed: 142,929 (increase of 3)
Vaccine doses administered: 89,027 (increase of 2,076)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 7,133 (increase of 251)
Outbreaks: None (decrease of 1)*

*An outbreak at an unidentified workplace in Belleville was declared resolved on May 27.

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 527,180 (increase of 1,135)
COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) cases: 122,349 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 1,227); 840 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (increase of 4); 2,544 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 39)
VOC R(t): 0.79 (decrease of 0.04 as of May 22)*
7-day average of daily new cases: 1,441 (decrease of 181)
Positivity rate: 3.6% (decrease of 1.7%)
Resolved: 501,942 (increase of 2,302 ), 95.2% of all cases (increase of 0.2%)
Hospitalizations: 1,072 (decrease of 1)
Hospitalizations in ICU: 650 (decrease of 22)
Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 452 (decrease of 17)
Deaths: 8,697 (increase of 19)
7-day average of daily new deaths: 21 (no change)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,951 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: 15,103,437 (increase of 37,705)
Tests under investigation: 23,068 (increase of 4,550)
Vaccination doses administered: 8,530,698 (increase of 143,748), 57.90% of Ontario’s total population (increase of 0.98%)**
People fully vaccinated (two doses): 594,854 (increase of 25,537), 4.04% of Ontario’s total population (increase of 0.18%)**

*R(t) is a virus’s effective reproduction number, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time (t) in a partially immunized population. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, R(t) needs to be less than 1.

**An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.

COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 26 - May 26, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 26 – May 26, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 26 - May 26, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 26 – May 26, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 26 - May 26, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 26 – May 26, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 26 - May 26, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 26 – May 26, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 26 - May 26, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 26 – May 26, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Federal government invests $500,000 to help tourism sector recover in Peterborough and the Kawarthas

By kawarthaNOW -
Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough is one of more than 50 local tourism-oriented businesses and organizations that has received financial support from Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development's Tourism Resiliency Fund Program. The federal government has invested $500,000 in the program through FedDev Ontario. (Photo: Showplace Performance Centre)

The federal government is investing $500,000 in Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) to assist the region’s hard-hit tourism industry.

The funding, which comes from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), is supporting the PKED’s Tourism Resiliency Fund Program, delivered in partnership with the Community Futures Peterborough, the City of Peterborough, the eight townships of the County of Peterborough, and Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

The Tourism Resiliency Fund has already provided non-repayable financial support of up to $20,000 to more than 50 local tourism-oriented businesses and organizations, for costs associated with adapting to public health measures and safely reopening.

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Eligible expenses under the program include space renovations and retrofits, the purchase of equipment, fixtures and personal protective equipment, as well as support for technology and digitization.

Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough is one of the local organizations that received support under the Tourism Resiliency Fund.

“Through this fund, we have been able to adjust parts of our facility to be ‘touch free’ as well as purchasing specialized cleaning equipment,” says Showplace’s general manager Emily Martin in a media release.

“Our industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, being among the first to close and will be one of the last to reopen, so we’re so grateful to have this funding to do these kinds of projects so that when the day comes that we can gather again, Showplace Performance Centre will be ready to welcome everyone in.”

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Escape Maze in Peterborough County is one of the local businesses supported through the Tourism Resiliency Fund. The company, which provides interactive adventures, was able to purchase digital equipment to adapt its core business with an online component. It is also now co-promoting and supporting other businesses.

“The PKED Tourism Resiliency Fund has enabled Escape Maze to adapt our business in a unique way to create a new revenue stream to continue to attract and serve our customers during COVID-19.” says Fred Preddy of Escape Maze.

According to the media release, around 100 jobs in the region have been protected through funding under the Tourism Resiliency Fund Program.

Peterborough’s Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge shifts gears to accommodate working from home

By GreenUP -
According to a recent Statistics Canada report, 80 per cent of people currently working from home due to the pandemic would like to continue with this arrangement for at least half of their worktime once the pandemic is over. (Photo: Lyn Jones)

Now a familiar concept, working from home — also known as e-work, telecommuting, or remote work — was alien to many of us prior to March 2020. Little did we know that a global pandemic would allow many workplaces to trial this intriguing strategy over an extended period of time.

Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jackie Donaldson, Coordinator of Business Programs at GreenUP.

How exactly has COVID-19 influenced the workplace setting? Over 31 per cent of workers are now fulfilling their responsibilities from home, states an April 2021 Statistics Canada report.

That’s a whopping 27 per cent increase compared to only four per cent in 2016.

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E-work is also commuting option in the annual Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge, a local workplace commuter challenge that takes place every May. The goal of the initiative is to challenge employees, workplaces, and community members to replace driving trips with walking, biking, carpooling, busing, or e-working. For many local workplaces, it’s a springtime ritual.

“In April, I write up an invitation email,” states James Britton, a manager with the Ontario Public Service and Shifting Gears coordinator for Robinson Place in downtown Peterborough. “It says, ‘May is approaching! This means the Silver Bean is opening and it’s time for Shifting Gears!'”

Much like our lives, COVID-19 has had an impact on Shifting Gears. While many participants are still walking and biking to work, many more are staying put and working from home.

For the past 17 years, employees of the Ontario Public Service at Robinson Place in downtown Peterborough have come out in droves to participate in the annual Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge. This year, while their usually full bike racks look oddly empty, employees continue to participate by inserting physical activity into their telecommuting workday. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)
For the past 17 years, employees of the Ontario Public Service at Robinson Place in downtown Peterborough have come out in droves to participate in the annual Shifting Gears Transportation Challenge. This year, while their usually full bike racks look oddly empty, employees continue to participate by inserting physical activity into their telecommuting workday. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)

This opens up a whole different approach to supporting Shifting Gears participants.

Working from home comes with unique, long-term needs, productivity and engagement impacts, and an influence on work-life balance. These considerations are important for both employer and employee.

Employers need to balance their bottom line, employee satisfaction, and goods and services output.

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Providing a permanent work from home option — or a hybrid that includes time at both the work and home office — can help decrease costs, reduce office and parking needs, reduce staff sick time, and help attract and retain employees. These are the more obvious employer benefits of working from home.

For many employers, however, productivity is the unknown factor. A Stats Canada report asked workers if they felt as productive in the new home office setting. Ninety per cent of respondents said that they were at least as productive as prior to the pandemic, with 32 per cent indicating they were even more productive.

“Many people at my workplace find working from home provides a more focused, and higher, productivity time,” says Divya Dhingra, junior project lead at Lett Architects in Peterborough.

Divya Dhingra, junior project lead at Lett Architects in Peterborough, says her employer has strong strategies in place to support employee communication and social needs when working from home. (Photo: Divya Dhingra)
Divya Dhingra, junior project lead at Lett Architects in Peterborough, says her employer has strong strategies in place to support employee communication and social needs when working from home. (Photo: Divya Dhingra)

One in five respondents to the Stats Canada report indicates that a barrier to productivity is a lack of interaction with coworkers. Strategies can mitigate this.

“Every morning we have a meeting and every Tuesday afternoon a staff get-together,” Dhinga shares. “Our socialization is supported in other ways too. Every month we have virtual social gatherings and worker celebrations, like maternity leave events, where we all gather and hang out.”

Developing a work-from-home policy through employee input can improve communications strategies and support better employee productivity and satisfaction.

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The Shifting Gears team has put together a toolkit to help managers with this. Creating an E-Work Policy outlines steps to engaging senior leadership, collaborating with staff, and gathering information specific to the unique situation of each workplace.

For employees, work-life balance and keeping active are key to a being successful and happy with working from home. We also created an Adjusting to E-work resource to help employees find that balance.

With little to no physical barrier between working space and living space, almost 50 per cent of employees find themselves sitting longer at their workstations. Establishing a transition routine can greatly help differentiate between work time and personal time.

The Shifting Gears team at Peterborough GreenUP has made two guides available for both employers and employees on adjusting to working from home.
The Shifting Gears team at Peterborough GreenUP has made two guides available for both employers and employees on adjusting to working from home.

Identify a couple of healthy daily habits that signify the beginning and end of the workday. Maybe it’s a walk around the neighbourhood in the morning and late afternoon. Maybe it’s a regular 20-minute stretching workout with the kids at 4:30 p.m. Identify the strategy that works best for you and stick with it.

The Shifting Gears team recommends that you practice active commuting before pandemic conditions end and you head back to a physical workplace. Plug in daily walking and cycling habits now and reap the benefits to your mental and physical health.

“I love walking,” says GreenUP’s executive director Brianna Salmon. “I bike for utilitarian purposes, for errands and exercise, but walking is much more relaxing for me. Going for a walk in the morning or after work hours allows a transition between work and home-life, even when they’re in the same space.”

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“People often say to me that they like the bike ride or walk because it gives them time to think about the day ahead,” Britton adds. “It’s reflection time. It provides them with the opportunity to think through problems, arriving at work with a plan.”

Starting tomorrow, work an active “commute” transition into your day. Then complete the Shifting Gears employee checklist to learn how to further enhance your work-from-home experience.

Eighty per cent of individuals now working from home due to COVID-19 say they would like to continue to work at least half of their hours from home once the pandemic is over. This tells us that the demand is there and this work arrangement, in some form or another, is here to stay.

Studies show that when employees work from home, they tend to work longer hours than they would at the office. One solution is to separate work time from personal time with a regularly scheduled walk through the neighbourhood at the beginning and end of the workday. This provides physically activity and helps maintain work-life balance. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)
Studies show that when employees work from home, they tend to work longer hours than they would at the office. One solution is to separate work time from personal time with a regularly scheduled walk through the neighbourhood at the beginning and end of the workday. This provides physically activity and helps maintain work-life balance. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)

Optimizing the benefits of working from home now is a key foundation to enjoying those benefits as pandemic restrictions end.

Shifting Gears is delivered annually with the generous support of the City of Peterborough and numerous local organization and businesses.

For more information on the program, visit www.greenup.on.ca/shiftinggears.

Community Counselling and Resource Centre in Peterborough closing its credit counselling program after 48 years

By kawarthaNOW -

Peterborough’s Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) has announced it is closing its credit counselling program after 48 years.

The non-profit charitable organization will cease offering credit counselling services effective Monday, May 31st.

“This decision was made as a result of changes within the industry,” states CCRC in a media release.

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Since 1973, CCRC has been providing credit counselling, financial literacy, and debt management services to residents of the city and county of Peterborough.

The program, including CCRC’s accredited credit counsellor Nancy Jackson, will move to Credit Canada, an affiliate not-for-profit organization that provides credit counselling services in Canada. Credit Canada is an accredited member of Credit Counselling Canada.

“We are tremendously grateful to the Credit Counselling staff at CCRC for their efforts to assist the people in Peterborough City and County over the past 4.5 decades, and we will continue to refer clients who would benefit from Credit Counselling Services to Credit Canada after May 31,” the media release reads.

CCRC will continue to offer its other services, including its housing resource centre, employee assistance, community service orders, and professional counselling programs.

For more information about CCRC, visit www.ccrc-ptbo.com.

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