While the pandemic means audiences can't experience the 2021 ReFrame Film Festival at its usual venues like Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough, the virtual festival running from January 22 t0 29 has its perks. It's a full week long and available to anyone who lives in Ontario. With a festival pass, you can watch as many films as you want whenever you want from the comfort of your own home, and it's more accessible as you can control the volume level as well as enable closed-captioning and subtitles. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
In 2020, our year of the virus, the word “pivot” has been overused to such an extent that it has been stripped of all meaning.
Yet, pivot seems entirely appropriate to describe what the folks at ReFrame Film Festival have done this year to ensure the renowned documentary film festival would not be another COVID casualty.
Instead of cancelling the event, ReFrame organizers have worked tirelessly to move the festival programming — films, panels, and Q&As with filmmakers — online, so that audiences can safely enjoy the festival from the comfort of their own homes.
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“In January of this year, we were able to hold ReFrame and it was a wonderful festival,” recalls ReFrame creative director Amy Siegel. “Very soon after that, everything was shutdown. In fact, for a lot of people, ReFrame was the last big event that they were able to attend.”
“Very quickly, we started to think about ways we could continue to hold the festival because we knew that we needed to make it work. Film happens to be something that translates a little bit better to the digital environment.”
With less than a year before the next festival was slated to occur, ReFrame personnel wasted no time working to move the festival online.
ReFrame Film Festival creative director Amy Siegel with festival director Jay Adams in 2019. Siegel joined ReFrame in 2018 and led programming for the successful 2019 festival, which took place just weeks before the pandemic arrived. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
“It’s a very different approach to festival making and it’s been a huge learning curve for the team,” Seigel explains.
“We’re a really small team that makes this festival happen. It’s just been non-stop learning. It was a stretch to be completely consumed in the digital realm, but we’ve really pulled it together in a short amount of time to be able to offer our audiences an event that they’ve grown to love over the last 17 years.”
There is nothing like the collective breath of an audience experiencing a film together — breathing in and out together, laughing together. That said, since breathing together is precisely what we ought to avoid during these strange COVID-times, online programming seems preferable at this point.
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Beyond the obvious benefit of finally being able to attend a film festival while donning your favourite onesie pyjamas (free from judgment and scorn), there are many other unexpected advantages to digital presentation.
“We know that the pandemic has made all of our schedules, attention spans, and lives complicated, so we wanted to give people the flexibility that their lives require right now,” says Seigel.
The festival, which normally runs for three days only, has been extended for a full week and, for the first time ever, will be available province-wide. Audiences can watch films on-demand anytime during the week-long festival.
ReFrame Film Festival organizers have already had experience with digital programming, having made films such as “The Beatles in India” available online through ReFrame At Home. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
Digital programming also means the festival will be more accessible for people living with disabilities. Not only can audiences skip dealing with icy sidewalks, they can also control volume levels and use closed-captioning or subtitles.
“The digital platform is an incredible opportunity to reach people who otherwise weren’t able to attend the festival,” Seigel says. “It’s really exciting to think about people attending the festival on their own terms, in their own homes, with no scheduling conflicts. In this format you can conceivably watch all the films.”
ReFrame is also economically accessible this year. Rather than purchasing passes per person, audiences only need one festival pass per household.
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“We’re also very aware that these are financially difficult times,” explains Seigel. “This way people are able to save some funds while still participating. We’re also trying to encourage people, if they have the means, to perhaps buy a festival pass for somebody who doesn’t have the means to, or to donate one to a community group.”
“We’re also very grateful for organizations like the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough,” she adds. “They’re supporting our community access pass again this year, which allows us to give out free passes to community groups and the general public.”
This year, many people are becoming more mindful of their spending habits — of where their money is going — and are making an effort to support their local economies.
Acclaimed Toronto filmmaker Yung Chang speaking at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough during the 2020 ReFrame Film Festival. While there will be no in-person events at the 2021 ReFrame Film Festival, the festival will still feature virtual filmmaker talks, panel discussions, workshops, and more. (Photo: Tristan Peirce)
“Of course we could watch movies on Netflix, Amazon, or Itunes,” Seigel says. “But we know that the pandemic has only widened the wealth gap and that these corporations are profiting off a global health crisis and not giving back.”
“The pandemic has brought to the surface things that were always there. ReFrame has always been committed to presenting social justice films that speak to the moment, that speak to global issues, and that speak to our community. I think there’s a need for that now more than ever.”
The virtual ReFrame Film Festival runs from January 22 to 29, 2021. (Poster: Jordan Bowden)
Seigel sees a silver lining in the pandemic when it comes to presenting a virtual film festival,
“If we’re stuck in our homes, what an opportunity we have to educate ourselves, to become more informed, to learn about pathways forward that have happened in the past and that are happening right now — and how we can take care of each other.”
The 2021 ReFrame Film Festival will run online from Friday, January 22nd to Friday, January 29th.
Discounted early-bird passes, which make ideal holiday gifts for anyone who lives in Ontario, are available for purchase for $50 at my.reframefilmfestival.ca/passes/buy. Regular passes and five-packs of individual film tickets will be available at the website in early December.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sponsor of the 2021 ReFrame Film Festival.
Retired general Rick Hillier, chair of Ontario's vaccine distribution task force, speaks at a media conference at pharmaceutical distribution company McKesson Canada in Brampton on December 1, 2020. (CPAC screenshot)
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 1,707 new COVID-19 cases today, with the average number of daily cases over the past seven days increasing by 100 to 1,670 — the highest it’s ever been — with a spike in the number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and cases in schools.
The worsening of the second wave in Ontario comes on the same day Ontario health minister Christine Elliot, along with retired general Rick Hillier, chair of Ontario’s vaccine distribution task force, held a media conference at pharmaceutical distribution company McKesson Canada in Brampton to provide an update on the province’s plan for rolling out COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.
“Collaborating with industry experts in health care and logistics will be key to ensuring we are prepared by December 31 for the first phase of rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, when they are available,” Elliott said. “Under the leadership of General Hillier, the province will be ready to launch Ontario’s COVID-19 immunization program.”
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Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto, which saw another record increase of 727 cases, followed by Peel (373) and York (168).
There are double-digit increases in Durham (72), Waterloo (61), Hamilton (58), Windsor-Essex (47), Halton (47), Simcoe Muskoka (36), Ottawa (34), Niagara (15), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (13), and Grey Bruce (12), with smaller increases in Huron Perth (8), Brant County (8), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (7), Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (6), and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (6). (Note: due to the way cases are reported, there are discrepancies between the Ontario data and the data reported by by local health units.)
The remaining 19 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 6 health units reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s cases, 54% are among people under 40 years of age, with the highest number of cases (666) among people ages 20 to 39 followed by 511 cases among people ages 40 to 59. With 1,373 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has decreased by 0.1% to 84.6%. The average positivity rate across Ontario has increased by 0.5% to 5.1%, meaning that 51 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on November 30.
Ontario is reporting 7 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 6 in long-term care facilities — the lowest number of daily deaths since October 28, when 5 deaths were reported. However, hospitalizations continue to climb, with 27 more people with COVID-19 in hospitals, for a total of 645. The number of patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs has jumped by 17 to 185, with 4 more patients on ventilators.
A total of 34,046 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has increased by 6,658 to 34,046.
The number of new cases in Ontario schools has jumped to 299, an increase of 197 from yesterday, with 255 student cases and 46 staff cases. There are 40 new cases in licensed child care settings, an increase of 26 from yesterday, with 21 cases among children and 19 cases among staff.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 22 new cases to report, including 9 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (almost all in Belleville), 8 in Northumberland, 4 in Peterborough, and 1 in Kawartha Lakes. There are no new cases to report in Haliburton.
An additional 3 cases have recovered in Peterborough and 2 cases have recovered in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.
None of the reported new cases in Ontario schools and child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.
There are currently 95 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 39 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (mostly in Belleville), 26 in Northumberland, 22 in Peterborough, 7 in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 216 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (189 resolved with 5 deaths), 200 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (174 resolved with 32 deaths), 94 in Northumberland County (67 resolved with 1 death), 27 in Haliburton County (26 resolved with no deaths), and 147 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (103 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on November 23.
Province-wide, there have been 118,199 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,707 from yesterday, with 100,012 cases resolved (84.6% of all cases), an increase of 1,373 from yesterday. There have been 3,663 deaths, an increase of 7 from yesterday, with 2,309 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 6 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 27 to 645, with 17 more patients with COVID-19 in ICUs and 4 more patients on ventilators. A total of 6,309,556 tests have been completed, an increase of 34,640 from yesterday, with 34,046 tests under investigation, an increase of 6,658 from yesterday.
The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 12 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).
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.
Confirmed positive: 216 (increase of 4) Active cases: 22 (increase of 1) Close contacts: 62 (increase of 4) Deaths: 5 (no change) Resolved: 189 (increase of 3) Hospitalizations (total to date): 10 (no change)* Total tests completed: Over 36,750 (no change) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (no change)
*The health unit is no longer reporting the total number of hospitalizations.
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 Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 321, including 200 in Kawartha Lakes, 94 in Northumberland, 27 in Haliburton (increase of 9, including 1 in Kawartha Lakes and 8 in Northumberland) Active cases: 34, including 7 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (increase of 9) Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 110, including 15 in Kawartha Lakes, 89 in Northumberland, and 6 in Haliburton (increase of 22) Hospitalizations (total to date): 16, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 267, including 174 in Kawartha Lakes, 67 in Northumberland, 26 in Haliburton (no change) Institutional outbreaks: None (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 reports from Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 147 (increase of 9) Active cases: 39 (increase of 7) Deaths: 5 (no change) Currently hospitalized: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change) Resolved: 103 (increase of 2) New swabs completed: 4,902 (increase of 2,137) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 118,199 (increase of 1,707) Resolved: 100,012 (increase of 1,373, 84.6% of all cases) Hospitalized: 645 (increase of 27) Hospitalized and in ICU: 185 (increase of 17) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 112 (increase of 4) Deaths: 3,663 (increase of 7) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,309 (increase of 6) Total tests completed: 6,309,556 (increase of 34,640) Tests under investigation: 34,046 (increase of 6,658)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 31 – November 30, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from October 31 – November 30, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
A detail from 'Fecundity' (watercolour on paper, 20" x 28") by Laura Madera, one of three local artists profiled in this month's artNOW. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
This December will be unlike any other. The myriad of performances and recitals that usually punctuate the season are on hold, and the fairs, sales, and seasonal get-togethers are either called off or happening with reduced capacity. So this month we check in with artists Christy Haldane, Laura Madera, and Peer Christensen in their studios and see how things are going as the holiday season approaches.
While the opportunities for artists to exhibit continue to be limited, the Art Gallery of Peterborough is currently showing the group show ‘Presently’ and a carefully curated selection from the permanent collection called ‘Selections from the Collection in the Time of COVID’. The gift shop is open for business with a selection of work from regional artists. On Tuesday, December 1st, the gallery is participating in Giving Tuesday with a drive for donations; if you haven’t renewed your membership, there’s no time like the present to do so (all donations are welcome).
The COVID-careful First Friday art crawl returns to downtown Peterborough on December 4th, with work by Beth McCubbin and Joe Stable at Acme Art and Sailboat Company, the 2020 Winter Market at Alelier Ludmila, the First Friday Festivus Open Studio Sale, and more.
Artist Christy Haldane in her studio. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Christy Haldane works with glass, stone, and steel to create sculptural pieces, vases and jewellery. Working with reclaimed materials in her rural studio, Haldane has become well known for her striking work which combines the translucent delicately coloured qualities of fused glass with the strength and presence of stone and metal.
Her latest venture, ‘Memory Stones’, brings a personal touch to her commission work. You can go out and find stones in places that are of personal significance, bring them to Christy Haldane’s studio then — be it sculpture, vasem or pendant — your stone will be expertly crafted into something beautiful to treasure or to commemorate someone or something.
Keep in mind her sculptural pieces can be placed outdoors or indoors because of the durable nature of the materials. If you are considering this, Haldane provides a guide to choosing stones.
During the pandemic, Haldane used the time to create a series of glass and stone vases, and upped her online game with studio-grade photos and an increased online presence. The result was a marked increase in sales which has left Haldane no longer eligible for EI or CERB.
One of Christy Haldane’s stone and glass vases. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
She then invested in the help of Amy E. Leclair Graphic Design and Brand Studio to help with marketing and branding, and secured some funding from Community Futures Peterborough to help her to transition to online sales. It worked.
“By the summer I was seeing my sales grow and I was as busy as I have ever been,” she says. “As the holiday season approaches, I am optimistic since I have seen an increased interest in buying local, thoughtful, handmade gifts,” she
This is definitely a good news story amid a sea of news to the contrary, and bodes well for the Christmas season in general.
Christy Haldane’s studio is located at 617 Golf Course Road in Douro Dummer. Call ahead to book a studio visit at 705-931-0855 or email christy@christyhaldane.com. She can be found online at www.christyhaldane.com.
Laura Madera
Artist Laura Madera at work. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Laura Madera’s watercolour paintings have a mysterious and magical quality about them. Deep vibrant hues and bright pops of colour and light draw us into an ethereal world all its own.
“In my art practice I use painting to poetically explore the natural world, its primal energies, beauty, phenomena, and to approximate something of the wonder of it,” Madera says.
Working from her Peterborough studio, Madera has developed her unique style and her work is now owned by collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. She has an original method which creates these beautiful effects.
‘Not quite day not quite night’ (watercolour on paper, 18″x20″) by Laura Madera. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
“I paint in watercolour, in many veils of transparent pure colour,” she explains.
“The paintings are layered over time to create rich, complex and sometimes unexpected colour, form, and landscapes. I engage with gravity and the properties of water as my collaborators. I dip and tip and shimmy my paintings into being.”
During the pandemic, Madera has not slowed down, keeping up her practice and spirits by maintaining a connection with the creative community.
“I’m very glad for the artists, clients, and collectors who have stuck with me during this time,” she says. “Every purchase, collaboration, and creative conversation has been important for keeping me going in the studio.”
To see more of her work or join her art list to be the first to know about new work or sales, visit www.lauramadera.ca . Look out for a new collaboration and a group of paintings to be released in a flash sale for the holidays going live on December 5th.
Artist Peer Christensen at work in his studio. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
When discussing the challenges and changes of the pandemic with Peer Christensen, his positive attitude and an willingness to take things as they come are very apparent. For Christensen, the silver lining is the opportunity to focus on working in the studio and to create new work and to explore new avenues such as online sales.
Christensen is making the most of his studio time and working on a new body of oil paintings.
“There is an advantage to being a visual artist in that I can continue working and build up a body of work that will be very helpful when things turn around,” he observes. “I think we’re in a good position, all things considered.”
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Rural landscapes, cityscapes, and still-life paintings are often the focus of Christensen’s work. His latest series leans toward the industrial landscape, a theme he returns to often, depicting rail yards, ship yards, hydroelectric power stations, and dry docks.
These artful renditions present us with mechanical structures and landscapes that are part of a world which functions behind the scenes, and part of the working infrastructure that many of us may be unfamiliar with.
Christensen looks forward to participating in the Artist Project in Toronto, which has been pushed into April 2021. Hopefully things will have settled down by then, and we will be able to get back to going out into the world and attending events such as this. Christensen has seen a number of shows and art fairs cancelled or moved online during this unprecedented time.
A painting depicting the Port Weller Dry Docks in winter, from Peer Christensen’s ‘Port Weller Dry Dock Series’. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
A year ago he was looking forward to five shows in 2020. That number was in the end whittled down to one, which went ahead though it was moved online by the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Work still sells through the online platform, and the show was a success, but as, Christensen says, “I think people miss it you know — just going to shows and galleries. Online is fine, but It does not give you the same experience as seeing something face to face.”
On the other hand, the pandemic restrictions created a new, and in some ways more relaxed, model for studio visits during the studio tour this year. This worked out well for Christensen, who ended up scheduling one client to come through about every hour. This was a welcome change from the usual non-stop foot traffic, and in the end was a very successful tour.
Peer Christensen’s studio is located at 10 Lisburn Street in Peterborough. Appointments are welcome; to make one, call 705-876-9623 or email info@christensenfineart.com. COVID safety measures are being observed. You can also always take a peek at his work from the comfort of home by visiting www.peerchristensen.com.
Art Gallery of Peterborough asks for your support this Giving Tuesday
Donate to the Art Gallery of Peterborough on Giving Tuesday. (Graphic: Art Gallery of Peterborough)
Giving Tuesday (December 1) has become a worldwide event marking the beginning of the giving season around the globe, and its an opportunity to support both the arts and art institutions which have been hard hit by the pandemic.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough came to the aid of artists this year by giving them the proceeds from the gallery’s annual fundraiser, and continues to support and encourage artists in the area by promoting their work in the gift shop and by hosting artist led classes and workshops.
The gallery is a community hub, providing free programming with its Family Sunday activities for children (the activities are now available online, so you can do them in your own home, at agp.on.ca/programs/family-sundays/) and by providing free access to art shows, talks, and a library of art books.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough works hard to build community and support artists in the community. This Giving Tuesday is your chance to give back by making a donation to the gallery. Visit agp.on.ca/join-us/donate/ or call us at 705-743-9179. A charitable tax receipt will be provided.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents juried show ‘Presently’
Work by Tara Lynn MacDougall (back), Ale Groen, and Andrew McPhail, three of many artists whose work is being shown at ‘Presently’. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
‘Presently’, on now until February 14th, is a carefully curated group show that’s a reflection of this moment in our collective history. The call for submissions was for work that resonates with the contemporary moment, and the resulting show deals with a myriad of emotions that resonate with what we have experienced in 2020.
The gallery identifies urgency, vulnerability, boredom, frustration, transition, resistance, comfort, and resilience as themes found in ‘Presently’. Definitely worth a look, and there are indeed a large number of artists participating in this show.
The show was put together by a jury of three cultural workers: Sonya Jones (curator of collections at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery), Dyan Marie (artist and founder of C-magazine, Cold City Gallery, DIG IN, Walk Here, Dupont Projects, BIG: Bloor Improvement Group, and the BIG On Bloor Festival), and Clayton Windatt (a Métis non-binary multi-artist currently executive director of the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference). They had a great response, with submissions from 179 artists from across Canada, and from further afield. Drop in and check this timely exhibition out.
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Participating artists include Peter Barron, JoEllen Brydon, Tia Cavanagh, Christian Chapman, John Climenhage, Megan Cole, Tonya Corkey, Fiona Crangle, Andrew Cripps, Sadiqa de Meijer, Jordan Dunlop, Teri Donovan, Holly Edwards, Henry Fernandes, Carol Forbes, Ale Groen, Julianne Gladstone, Jessica Hanzelkova, Emma Hesse, Ashley Johnson, Darcie Kennedy, Eryn Lidster, Jane LowBeer, Tara Lynn MacDougall, Katika Marczell, Beth McCubbin, Ian McLean, Andrew McPhail, Amber Helene Müller St Thomas, Yuripman Napoles Pereira, Alissa Ohashi, Paul Oldham, Kelly O’Neill, Tristan Peirce, Nadja Pelkey, Alison Postma, Andrew Rabyniuk, Matt Rogalsky, Emma Schnurr, lo scott, Sheldon Storey, Wendy Trusler, Joel Matthew Warkentin, Jem Woolidge, Brandon Wulff, and David Yu.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday by appointment. Each appointment is 45 minutes long, for up to 10 visitors within the same social bubble, starting on the hour. The gallery offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘Selections from the Collection in the Time of COVID’
‘A Print in Four Parts’ by Robin Mackenzie and ‘Coastal Journey #2: Past the Dog Island’ by Anne Meredith Barry, two of the pieces on display in ‘Selections from the Collection in the Time of COVID’. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
To complement the group show ‘Presently’, the Art Gallery of Peterborough is displaying a selection of work from the permanent collection, guest curated by internationally acclaimed artist Jane Lowbeer. Lowbeer, who is also featured in ‘Presently’, actually bid for her opportunity to curate a show at a past fundraiser for the gallery. It is safe to say her sensibilities have made for an interesting show.
Featuring work by Jane Ash Poitras, Anne Meredith Barry, Jack Bush, Lucie Chan, Louis de Niverville, Jim Dine, Ivan Eyre, Brian Kipping, Nobuo Kubota, Robin Mackenzie, Michael Maglich, John Marok, Mimmo Paladino, Michael Poulton, Akira Yoshikawa, and Tony Urquhart, the show reflects some of the emotions elicited by COVID, but also offers a lighter uplifting message.
Some works have been selected as a reminder to smile, to inspire and to lift our spirits, and to help us through this difficult time. The show is on now until February 14th.
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The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday by appointment. Each appointment is 45 minutes long, for up to 10 visitors within the same social bubble, starting on the hour. The gallery offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
First Friday Peterborough: Beth McCubbin, Joe Stable, Atelier Ludmila’s 2020 Winter Market, and the First Friday Festivus Open Studio Sale
One of Joe Stable’s new ‘Dead Flower Drawings’, on display during First Friday Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
The COVID-careful First Friday Peterborough returns to downtown Peterborough on December 4th.
ACME Art and Sailboat Company will feature a selection of handmade pottery by artist Beth McCubbin, and a new series of Dead Flower drawings by Joe Stable.
Atelier Ludmila will also be showing some of Beth McCubbin’s work as part of the Winter Market 2020, running from Friday, December 4th until Thursday, December 24th.
This show will feature the work of seven artists including McCubbin, Charon Ackhurst, Nicole Bauberger, Mary McLaughlin, Hanna Spinney, and Shannon Taylor.
A detail of ‘Peony’ by Mary McLaughlin, one of seven artists whose work is on display at Atelier Ludmila during First Friday Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Atelier Ludmila)
There’s also the First Friday Festivus Open Studio Sale at Atelier Victoria Wallace, featuring works by Victoria Wallace, Roz Hermant, Lisa Martini-Dunk, Miguel Hernandez, and Marcia Watt.
Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Stop in at all three locations and more during First Friday, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on December 4th. Bring masks, and prepare to wait patiently as people are being admitted on a first-come first-served basis.
Works on display during the First Friday Festivus Open Studio Sale. (Photo courtesy of Atelier Victoria Wallace)
Acme Art and Sailboat Company is located on the third floor of the Commerce Building (129-1/2 Hunter Street West) in downtown Peterborough, with Atelier Ludmila located on the second floor. Atelier Victoria Wallace is located in Unit 10A at 280 Perry Street in Peterborough.
For more information about First Friday Peterborough, visit firstfridayptbo.com.
An initiative of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, The Boro at theboro.ca features ore than 140 local shops, restaurants, and services offering more than 35,000 items, 1,200 menu options, and 100 gift card options. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
If you want to support locally owned independent businesses in downtown Peterborough this holiday shopping season — but you prefer to shop online or you want to avoid crowds — make sure to check out The Boro at theboro.ca.
An initiative of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), the website was launched earlier this year and now features more than 140 local shops, restaurants, and services.
“The Boro creates a convenient way for people to shop downtown from the comfort of their homes,” says Joel Wiebe, DBIA communications manager. “With the pandemic, even more people are now shopping online. The Boro gives you a central place to shop online locally.”
VIDEO: Shop Local, Shop the Boro
You can shop 35,000 items, dine at home with over 1,200 menu options, or choose from more than 100 gift card options.
Gift cards are a great option this year for businesses and organizations that normally hold staff and volunteer parties in downtown Peterborough during the holiday season. Instead of hosting large gatherings at local restaurants, employers can provide their staff and volunteers with gift cards for local restaurants. Gift cards give people the option to dine out (or in) safely over the holidays, while still supporting the downtown restaurants that would normally host large holiday parties.
Whether you choose to support downtown businesses by shopping in person or online at The Boro, more of the money you spend stays in the community — maintaining a vibrant local economy and keeping people employed.
The holiday window at The Avant-Garden Shop at 165 Sherbrooke Street in downtown Peterborough. Offering home and garden décor, gardening accessories, and backyard birding supplies, The Avant-Garden Shop is one of more than 140 local shops, restaurants, and services listed at theboro.ca if you prefer to do your local holiday shopping online. The Avant-Garden Shop also offers gift cards. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
The DBIA is also holding its annual holiday window contest until Saturday, December 5th. Downtown Peterborough businesses are decorating their storefront windows with the theme “Thank you essential workers”.
You can check out the window displays when you’re doing your holiday shopping downtown (there’s free two-hour parking downtown until the end of December) or, if you are shopping online at The Boro, you can see them at downtownptbo.ca/2020-dbia-holiday-window-contest/.
That’s also where you can vote for your favourite holiday windows — you can vote for as many as three separate windows, casting one vote every 24 hours until the contest ends. The winning businesses will be announced on Friday, December 11th.
After the contest ends, the DBIA will be selecting five random voters who will each receive $25 in Downtown Dollars gift certificates.
This story was created in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 1,746 new COVID-19 cases today, with the average number of daily cases over the past seven days increasing by 22 to 1,570. There are 20 new cases to report in the greater Kawarthas region, with 78 active cases across the region.
Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto, with a record increase of 622 cases, followed by Peel (380), York (217), and Durham (108).
There are double-digit increases in Waterloo (74), Hamilton (54), Windsor-Essex (38), Halton (35), Ottawa (29), Simcoe Muskoka (28), Niagara (22), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (22), Thunder Bay (21), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (15), and Middlesex-London (14), with smaller increases in Huron Perth (9), Brant County (9), Southwestern Public Health (7), and Haldimand-Norfolk (6).
The remaining 15 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 4 health units reporting no new cases at all.
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Of today’s cases, 50% are among people under 40 years of age, with the highest number of cases (642) among people ages 20 to 39 followed by 526 cases among people ages 40 to 59. With 1,320 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has decreased by 0.1% to 84.7%. Since November 27, the average positivity rate across Ontario has increased by 0.9% to 4.6%, meaning that 46 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on November 29.
Ontario is reporting 8 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 2 in long-term care facilities — the lowest number of daily deaths since November 2, when 7 deaths were reported. However, hospitalizations have increased by 32 to 618 (and this number does not include data from around 40 hospitals), the number of patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs has jumped by 12 to 168, and the number of patients on ventilators has jumped by 17 to 108.
A total of 39,406 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has decreased by 11,336 to 27,388.
There are 102 new cases in Ontario schools to report today, a decrease of 10 from November 27, with 86 student cases, 15 staff cases, and 1 cases in an unidentified person. There are 14 cases in licensed child care settings, a decrease of 1 from November 27, with 12 cases among children and 2 cases among staff.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 20 new cases to report, including 10 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 7 in Northumberland, 2 in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 in Peterborough. There are no new cases to report in Haliburton.
An additional 9 cases have been resolved in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 3 in Northumberland, 2 in Peterborough, 2 in Haliburton, and 1 in Kawartha Lakes. A previously reported case in Haliburton has been transferred to another health unit.
None of the reported new cases in Ontario schools and child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.
There are currently 78 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 32 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (with the majority of cases in Belleville and Quinte West), 21 in Peterborough, 18 in Northumberland, 6 in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 212 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (186 resolved with 5 deaths), 199 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (174 resolved with 32 deaths), 86 in Northumberland County (67 resolved with 1 death), 27 in Haliburton County (26 resolved with no deaths), and 138 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (101 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on November 23.
Province-wide, there have been 116,492 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,746 from yesterday, with 98,639 cases resolved (84.7% of all cases), an increase of 1,320 from yesterday. There have been 3,656 deaths, an increase of 8 from yesterday, with 2,303 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 2 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 32 to 618, although this number does not include data from around 40 hospitals. There are 12 additional patients with COVID-19 in ICUs and 17 more patients on ventilators. A total of 6,274,916 tests have been completed, an increase of 39,406 from yesterday, with 27,388 tests under investigation, a decrease of 11,336 from yesterday.
The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 12 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).
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.
Confirmed positive: 212 (increase of 1) Active cases: 21 (decrease of 1) Close contacts: 58 (decease of 12) Deaths: 5 (no change) Resolved: 186 increase of 2) Hospitalizations (total to date): 10 (no change)* Total tests completed: Over 36,750 (increase of 50) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (no change)
*The health unit is no longer reporting the total number of hospitalizations.
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 Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers include cases reported from November 28 to 30.
Confirmed positive: 312, including 199 in Kawartha Lakes, 86 in Northumberland, 27 in Haliburton (increase of 9, including 2 in Kawartha Lakes and 7 in Northumberland)* Active cases: 25, including 6 in Kawartha Lakes, 18 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (net increase of 2) Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 88, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 71 in Northumberland, and 6 in Haliburton (no change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 16, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 267, including 174 in Kawartha Lakes, 67 in Northumberland, 26 in Haliburton (increase of 6, including 1 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 2 in Haliburton) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
*One previously reported case in Haliburton has been transferred to another health unit.
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 reports from Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers include cases reported from November 28 to 30.
Confirmed positive: 138 (increase of 10) Active cases: 32 (increase of 1) Deaths: 5 (no change) Currently hospitalized: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change) Resolved: 101 (increase of 9) New swabs completed: 2,765 (increase of 139) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 116,492 (increase of 1,746) Resolved: 98,639 (increase of 1,320, 84.7% of all cases) Hospitalized: 618 (increase of 32)* Hospitalized and in ICU: 168 (increase of 12) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 108 (increase of 17) Deaths: 3,656 (increase of 8) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,303 (increase of 2) Total tests completed: 6,274,916 (increase of 39,406) Tests under investigation: 27,388 (decrease of 11,336)
*Around 40 hospitals did not submit data for the daily bed census for November 28. The number of hospitalized patients may increase when reporting compliance increases.
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 30 – November 29, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from October 30 – November 29, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Do you recognize this five-pin bowling ball? It was thrown into the windshield of a moving car by a passing motorist on Buckhorn Road near Upper Chemung Drive in Selwyn Township at around 10 p.m. on November 26, 2020. (Police-supplied photo)
Peterborough County OPP are asking for the public’s help after a bowling ball was thrown into the windshield of a moving vehicle last Thursday night (November 26).
At around 10 p.m. on Thursday, police responded to a report that an unknown object had smashed a person’s windshield as they were travelling northbound on Buckhorn Road near Upper Chemung Drive in Selwyn Township.
Investigation revealed that a five-pin bowling ball had been thrown at the complainant’s vehicle by a passing motorist.
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The complainant sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.
Investigators are looking for any information that may lead to the identity of a suspect or suspects in this dangerous incident.
Anyone with tips on this case can contact the Peterborough County OPP at 705-742-0401 or the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122, or through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting stopcrimehere.ca.
The windshield damage caused by the five-pin bowling ball. The complainant sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. (Police-supplied photo)
If you have Kawartha Dairy's Mint Chip Ice Cream or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream in your freezer, check the cartons for specific production codes to see if the ice cream has been recalled. Kawartha Dairy is recalling the production codes because of the possibility that chocolate chips used in the ice cream may include small pieces of metal. Retailers including grocery stores should also be removing these products from their shelves. (Supplied photos)
Bobcaygeon-based Kawartha Dairy Limited is voluntarily recalling eight production codes of two flavours of its ice cream because of the potential of small pieces of metal in the chocolate chips provided by one of its suppliers.
The popular dairy made the announcement on its Facebook and Instagram accounts last Tuesday (November 24).
“We are making this voluntary withdrawal out of an abundance of caution, because the safety of our customers and your confidence in our products has always been our number one priority,” the dairy writes. “Kawartha Dairy has not received any consumer complaints regarding this issue and no injuries have been reported.”
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On Sunday (November 29), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency also posted a food recall warning at the request of Kawartha Dairy.
The recalled products include the following production codes of Mint Chip Ice Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, both the 1.5-litre retail sizes and the 11.4-litre commercial sizes:
Brand
Product
Size
UPC
Codes
Kawartha Dairy
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
1.5 L
0 62229 08950 1
PRD / 03/11/2020 and PRD / 04/11/2020
Kawartha Dairy
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
11.4 L
0 62229 08150 5
PRD: 03/11/2020 and PRD: 04/11/2020
Kawartha Dairy
Mint Chip Ice Cream
1.5 L
0 62229 08917 4
PRD / 13/10/2020 and PRD / 14/10/2020
Kawartha Dairy
Mint Chip Ice Cream
11.4 L
0 62229 08117 8
PRD / 13/10/2020 and PRD / 14/10/2020
Restaurants and institutions using Kawartha Dairy’s Mint Chip Ice Cream or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream should check the tubs for specific production codes to see if the ice cream has been recalled. Kawartha Dairy is recalling the production codes because of the possibility that chocolate chips used in the ice cream may include small pieces of metal. (Supplied photos)
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No other flavours of ice cream are involved, and the recall is limited to the specific production codes listed above.
Consumers should not eat the recalled products and retailers, restaurants, and institutions should not sell or use the recalled products
If you have a recalled product, Kawartha Dairy says you can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or email info@kawarthadairy.com for a full refund or if you have any further questions.
The 12 entrepreneurs participating in the fall 2020 intake of Starter Company Plus, a business development program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario. Top row: Debra Ragbar, Lyle Saunders, Ivan O'Brien, and Janette Fluke; middle row: Sharyn Inward, Jocelynn Vieira, Cheryl Edwards and Charmaine Magumbe, and Alicia Doris; bottom row: Susan Dunkley, Amy and Dean Howley, Jonathan Clement, and Christopher Nayler.
Starting a new business or growing an existing one is never easy, let alone during a pandemic. Fortunately for 12 local entrepreneurs, the Starter Company Plus program is here to help.
Offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario, the business development program provides training for aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs 18 years and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing one that’s been operating for five years or less.
As of November 16th, the 12 Starter Company Plus participants have had to submit their final business plans and, later, will submit a video pitch to the judges for review as a culmination of the program.
Micro-grant recipients will be announced the week of November 30th.
The eight-week program, which teaches participants the skills they need to start and grow their business, is shifting focus this fall in recognition of the impact of the pandemic. With more robust digital marketing strategies, crisis communications and public relations, and financial acumen and long-term planning, the 12 entrepreneurs participating in the fall intake of the program will be better equipped to launch and grow their businesses.
And if that isn’t enough, there’s also the $5,000 Starter Company Plus micro-grants that seven of the 12 business owners will be selected to receive, based on the strength of their business plans and the viability and creativity of their business.
Here are the 12 entrepreneurs participating in the fall intake of Starter Company Plus, along with their businesses:
Spice mixes and rubs by Kawartha Spice Company. (Photo: Debra Ragbar / Instagram)
Debra Ragbar’s business Kawartha Spice Company Inc. manufactures gluten-free curry powder and spice rub mixes for plant-based, poultry, red meat, and seafood recipes, along with rim rubs for cocktails such as a Caesar.
The curry powder mix and spice rub mixes are made with a number of pure natural spices selected for their superior flavour and premium quality.
Individual mixes are used in recipes such as Jamaican jerk, roasted chickens, roasted rack of lamb, roasted beef tenderloin, roasted pork chops, baked salmon, and vegetarian dishes.
Saunders Tax Service is located at Peterborough Disability Tax Services at 175 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Peterborough Disability Tax Services / Facebook)
“Simple Taxes at a Simple Price”. That’s Lyle Saunders’ motto for Saunders Tax Service, his yearly tax season service for households in the Peterborough area.
Saunders also owns and operates Peterborough Disability Tax Services, which he founded in February 2019 and which specializes in the federal disability tax credit for individuals and caregivers. Sanders assists in applications for the tax credit, as well as helping with eligibility challenges and adjusting approved tax credits beyond the Canada Revenue Agency’s automatic adjustments.
Saunders Tax Service is located at Peterborough Disability Tax Services, in the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce building at 175 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. For more information, call 705-931-8500, email ptbotds@outlook.com, or visit ptbodts.ca
Ivan O’Brien — Archer Equipment Inspections Ltd.
Ivan O’Brien owns and operates Archer Equipment Inspections, a heavy equipment inspection business located in the Township of Douro-Dummer.
The primary service offered by O’Brien’s business is the inspection of equipment for companies interested in purchasing equipment that other companies have put up for sale.
Archer Equipment Inspections also offers fleet maintenance services, an oil sampling program, working with financial institutions and assisting with financial restructuring for mines, mobile equipment repair in the Peterborough, and equipment mid-life and overhaul planning.
Sharyn Inward’s business Oma Knows helps plus-size women enjoy a healthy lifestyle. (Graphic: Oma Knows / Facebook)
Located in the City of Peterborough, Sharyn Inward’s new health and wellness business Oma Knows focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle for plus-size women.
Inward offers yoga and health education to assist women in living their best and healthiest life through a positive mindset and training.
Jocelynn Vieira’s business The Kawartha Craft Company provides hands-on creative activities for children of all ages with easy-to-follow do-it-yourself craft kits.
Her craft kits are stocked with hand-picked local supplies that have been tested to ensure ease of use.
Located in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, the Kawartha Craft Company also donates craft kits to local shelters and works with local charities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas to supplement fundraising initiatives.
Owned and operated by Cheryl Edwards and Charmaine Magumbe, Zingha is a social enterprise located in the City of Peterborough.
Zingha offers original designs of positive Afrocentric images on t-shirts, mugs, and bags, as well as Nigerian COVID face masks and handmade Afrocentric notebooks and journals.
Zingha also supplies free resources to help people become more inclusive as well as to combat anti-Black racism.
Living Local Box owner Alicia Doris. (Photo: Living Local Box / Facebook)
Alicia Doris’s business Living Local Box shares the best of local products in Peterborough and the Kawarthas through custom gift boxes and seasonal subscription boxes.
Living Local Box connects community members with new ways to support local small business by providing one-of-a-kind selections of artwork, bath and body products, food and drink, and lifestyle products.
With her ever-evolving offerings, Doris showcases and supports both individuals and families living and working in the region.
Living Local Box is located in Selwyn Township. For more information, call 706-768-0621, email livinglocalbox@gmail.com, or visit www.livinglocalbox.com..
Susan Dunkley — Suzi Home Maker
Suzi Home Maker owner Susan Dunkley. (Photo: Suzi Home Maker/Facebook)
Through her business Suzi Home Maker, Susan Dunkley helps people who are downsizing their homes or moving to another home.
Suzi Home Maker assists with downsizing, de-cluttering, sorting, organizing, selling, donating, disposing, recycling, packing, moving, unpacking, helping people get settled in, and clearing estates.
Recognizing that downsizing and moving homes often takes place at emotional or trying times, Suzi Home Maker also provides support by helping clients make the right decisions and by getting the job done quickly and efficiently and with care and compassion.
While Suzi Home Maker provides standard services, Dunkley recognizes each move is different and the exact services she provides are tailored to the needs of each individual client.
Amy and Dean Howley, owners of King & Tupper. (Photo: King & Tupper / kingandtupper.ca)
Husband-and-wife team Dean and Amy Howley own and operate King & Tupper, which produces custom wood decor, art, toys, and furniture handcrafted in Millbrook.
King & Tupper offers a constantly evolving range of products, such as painted wood signs, three-dimensional backlit wood art, rocking giraffes, and toddler helper stools.
When developing their products, the Howleys continuously research market trends, update and improve existing designs, and incorporate customer suggestions and requests. All of King & Tupper’s products are crafted in the Howleys’ home-based workshop.
King & Tupper is located in the Township of Cavan-Monaghan. For more information, call 905-550-5095, email hello@kingandtupper.ca, or visit kingandtupper.ca.
Jonathan Clement — Elbuns Media
Elbuns Media owner Jonathan Clement. (Photo: Elbuns Media / Facebook)
Through his business Elbuns Media, Jonathan Clement helps small businesses and non-profits tell their stories by creating videos that are effective and tell the organization’s story in a way that best helps them meet their goals.
Along with video production and content creation, Elbuns Media also provides video editing and content editing services, and develops strategies specializing in recruiting and fundraising efforts.
Douglas Works owner Christopher Nayler. (Photo: Douglas Works / Facebook)
Christopher Nayler owns and operates Douglas Works, located in the City of Peterborough.
Douglas Works offers residential and commercial landscaping, hardscaping, and property maintenance services for residential and commercial clients in Peterborough and the surrounding area.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 1,708 new COVID-19 cases today, with the average number of daily cases over the past seven days increasing by 25 to 1,548.
Most of the new cases reported today are in Peel (503), Toronto (463), and York (185), with double-digit increases in Ottawa (79), Durham (73), Waterloo (63), Hamilton (60), Windsor-Essex (37), Halton (31), Simcoe Muskoka (30), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (30), Niagara (28), Middlesex-London (20), Thunder Bay (19), Southwestern Public Health (17), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (10), and Brant County (10), and smaller increases in Huron Perth (9).
The remaining 16 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with only 3 health units reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s cases, 53% are among people under 40 years of age, with the highest number of cases (652) among people ages 20 to 39 followed by 505 cases among people ages 40 to 59. With 1,443 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases remains unchanged at 84.8%. The average positivity rate across Ontario is unavailable on weekends.
Ontario reported 24 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 7 in long-term care facilities. Hospitalizations decreased by 9 to 586, although this number does not include data from around 40 hospitals. There is 1 additional patient with COVID-19 in an ICU and 8 fewer patients on ventilators. A total of 53,959 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has decreased by 17,495 to 38,724.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are no new cases to report today in Peterborough.
Reports are not available on weekends for Hastings and Prince Edward counties, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, or Haliburton. However, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit declared an outbreak on November 28 at the Canadian Centre for Addictions in Port Hope after a symptomatic staff person tested positive for COVID-19.
There are currently 76 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 31 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 22 in Peterborough, 14 in Northumberland, 4 in Haliburton, and 5 in Kawartha Lakes.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 211 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (184 resolved with 5 deaths), 197 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (173 resolved with 32 deaths), 79 in Northumberland County (64 resolved with 1 death), 28 in Haliburton County (24 resolved with no deaths), and 128 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (92 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on November 23.
Province-wide, there have been 114,746 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,708 from yesterday, with 97,319 cases resolved (84.8% of all cases), an increase of 1,443 from yesterday. There have been 3,648 deaths, an increase of 24 from yesterday, with 2,301 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 7 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has decreased by 9 to 586, although this number does not include data from around 40 hospitals. There is 1 additional patient with COVID-19 in an ICU and 8 fewer patients on ventilators. A total of 6,235,510 tests have been completed, an increase of 53,959 from yesterday, with 38,724 tests under investigation, a decrease of 17,495 from yesterday.
The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 12 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).
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.
Confirmed positive: 211 (no change) Active cases: 22 (no change) Close contacts: 70 (increase of 4) Deaths: 5 (no change) Resolved: 184 (no change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 10 (no change)* Total tests completed: Over 36,700 (increase of 100) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (no change)
*The health unit is no longer reporting the total number of hospitalizations.
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 Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers are from November 27.
Confirmed positive: 304, including 197 in Kawartha Lakes, 79 in Northumberland, 28 in Haliburton (increase of 6, including 2 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton) Active cases: 23, including 5 in Kawartha Lakes, 14 in Northumberland, and 4 in Haliburton (no net change) Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 88, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 71 in Northumberland, and 6 in Haliburton (increase of 22 in Northumberland) Hospitalizations (total to date): 16, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 261, including 173 in Kawartha Lakes, 64 in Northumberland, 24 in Haliburton (increase of 6, including 1 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton) Institutional outbreaks: None (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 reports from Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers are from November 27.
Confirmed positive: 128 (increase of 6) Active cases: 31 (increase of 4) Deaths: 5 (no change) Currently hospitalized: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 1 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change) Resolved: 92 (increase of 2) New swabs completed: 2,626 (decrease of 2,991) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 114,746 (increase of 1,708) Resolved: 97,319 (increase of 1,443, 84.8% of all cases) Hospitalized: 586 (decrease of 9)* Hospitalized and in ICU: 156 (increase of 1) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 91 (decrease of 8) Deaths: 3,648 (increase of 24) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,301 (increase of 7) Total tests completed: 6,235,510 (increase of 53,959) Tests under investigation: 38,724 (increase of 17,495)
*Around 40 hospitals did not submit data for the daily bed census for November 27. The number of hospitalized patients may increase when reporting compliance increases.
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 29 – November 28, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from October 29 – November 28, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for almost all of the greater Kawarthas region, forecasting a significant winter storm beginning Monday morning (November 30) and continuing until Wednesday.
A low pressure system is expected to track just east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on Monday, bringing rain, snow, and strong winds throughout southern Ontario. The low pressure system is expected to remain over southern Ontario until Wednesday.
Precipitation is expected to begin on Monday morning as rain or snow and change to snow on Monday evening.
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By Tuesday morning, snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm are possible in Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, with 10 to 20 cm possible for Haliburton and Hastings County.
Snow will continue Tuesday into Wednesday. Additional snowfall amounts near 10 cm are possible in Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, and near 15 cm for Haliburton and Hastings County.
However, total snowfall amounts are uncertain at this time.
Difficult travel conditions are expected as snow covered and icy roads are possible Monday night, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Precipitation associated with this low pressure system is expected to move east of the area by Wednesday night.
This story has been updated as Environment Canada has expanded the special weather statement to include Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
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