Lisa Dixon, owner of Black Honey in downtown Peterborough, speaks during the 2020 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on November 5, 2020. Dixon was one of six inductees honoured at the COVID-safe event, which was also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook. (Screenshot)
It took seven months longer than planned, but the six inductees of the 2020 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame finally had their moment in the spotlight on Thursday night (November 5) at a COVID-safe ceremony at The Venue in downtown Peterborough.
Junior Achievement – Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) had originally scheduled the event at The Venue for late March, but the pandemic threw a wrench into the organization’s plans.
While the crowd at Thursday night’s ceremony was much smaller than usual — physically distanced attendance was limited to the inductees and their family and friends — JA-NEO also livestreamed the ceremony on Facebook and YouTube, so the audience was much larger, with around 300 people watching online.
Physically distanced and masked family and friends of the six inductees of the 2020 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame during a ceremony at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on November 5, 2020. As the event was closed to the public, it was also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, where around 300 people watched the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement – Northern and Eastern Ontario)
The event was emceed by Michelle Ferreri and Monika Carmichael (JA-NEO’s Business Hall of Fame Chancellor) who, along with several guests, introduced the six inductees. Short videos about each of the inductees were also shown.
The six inductees of the 2020 Business Hall of Fame are:
Morris Cox of Brant Basics
Lisa Dixon of Black Honey Bakery and Café
Bill and Cora Edgar of Lucky Strike Bait Works
Jim Glenn of Glen Isle Farms Limited
Haig Kelly of Kelly Fuels
Bill and Marion Morrison of Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn
Sanjeev Sukumaran of The Ear Company-Peterborough Audiology
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In her induction speech, Lisa Dixon of Black Honey Bakery and Café in downtown Peterborough spoke about the importance of leaving a legacy as a business owner — inspired by her first employer.
“Work today as if you’re dead tomorrow — that was said to me 25 years ago, on my first catering slash waitressing job,” Dixon said. “I was working in a cafe, it was run by an Eastern European woman by the name of Sylvia. I was shocked, and I was a bit hurt.”
“It took about 25 years for me to realize what that meant. It meant what we’re doing today will affect people in the future. So this became a mantra for me as a boss.”
Lisa Dixon, owner of Black Honey in downtown Peterborough, speaks during the 2020 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on November 5, 2020. Also pictured at the COVID-safe event are emcees Michelle Ferreri (left) and Monika Carmichael (far right), who is also JA-NEO’s Business Hall of Fame Chancellor. (Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement – Northern and Eastern Ontario)
Dixon spoke about passing that wisdom not only to her own employees, but to the students she teaches at Fleming College.
“I’m learning now, and it’s taken this long, that we will live in the moment,” she said. “Today it will get done, and tomorrow is a new day. And by doing it well, we will pass it on. Work today like you’re dead tomorrow.”
Since 2016, JA-NEO (formerly known as Junior Achievement – Peterborough Lakeland Muskoka) has honoured individuals whose exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence have strengthened the economy and community.
Sanjeev Sukumaran, owner of The Ear Company-Peterborough Audiology, speaks during the 2020 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on November 5, 2020. Sukumaran was one of six inductees honoured at the COVID-safe event, which was also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook. (Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement – Northern and Eastern Ontario)
Inductees are widely respected for their integrity, business acumen, and community contributions. They are regarded as inspiring role models for enterprising Junior Achievement students and young Canadians.
In addition to the six inductees, JA-NEO also recognized Myriah and Ella Mason with the Students of the Year Award), Jennifer Brown (for Junior Achievement Lifetime Volunteer Recognition), Mike Martone (for Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to Education), and Vernon (Herb) Watt Hall (for Heritage Recognition).
If you missed Thursday night’s event, you can watch the entire ceremony on Facebook or YouTube. YourTV will also be broadcasting the ceremony on Cable 10 and HD Cable 700 in the coming days; visit the YourTV schedule to find out when.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Today, Ontario is reporting 998 new cases of COVID-19, with the majority in Toronto (350) and Peel (269). There are smaller increases in York (71), Halton (47), Ottawa (45), Hamilton (37), Durham (33), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (23), Niagara (22), Waterloo (17), Middlesex-London (16), Brant County (13), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (9), Southwestern Public Health (7), and Windsor-Essex (6).
The remaining 19 public health units are reporting 5 or fewer cases, with 8 health units reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s cases, 53% are among people under 40. With 998 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.1% to 85.7%. The positivity rate has decreased by 0.4% to 3.3%, meaning that 33 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on November 4.
For the third day in a row, there has been a double-digit increase in the number of deaths, with 13 new deaths today, 7 of which were in long-term care facilities. Hospitalizations have increased by 14 to 381, and the number of patients in ICUs has jumped by 11 to 86, with 4 additional patients placed on ventilators.
A total of 35,754 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has increased by 8,700 to 41,787.
There are 66 new cases in Ontario schools, a decrease of 50 from yesterday, with 37 student cases, 7 staff cases, and 24 cases among unidentified individuals. There are 20 cases in licensed child care settings, an increase of 4 from yesterday, with 8 cases among children and 12 cases among staff.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 2 new cases to report, with 1 new case in Peterborough and 1 new case in Haliburton. There are no new cases in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, or Hastings and Prince Edward counties. None of the new cases in Ontario schools and child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.
There are currently 18 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 8 in Peterborough, 5 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 2 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 154 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (144 resolved with 2 deaths), 185 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (166 resolved with 32 deaths), 50 in Northumberland County (47 resolved with 1 death), 22 in Haliburton County (19 resolved with no deaths), and 82 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (72 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Northumberland on September 8.
Province-wide, there have been 80,690 confirmed cases, an increase of 998 from yesterday, with 69,137 cases resolved (85.7% of all cases), an increase of 948. There have been 3,195 deaths, an increase of 13 from yesterday, with 2,042 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 7 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 14 to 381, with 11 additional patients in ICUs and 4 additional patients on ventilators. A total of 5,264,568 tests have been completed, an increase of 35,754 from yesterday, with 41,787 tests under investigation, an increase of 8,700 from yesterday.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
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: 154 (increase of 1) Active cases: 8 (increase of 1) Close contacts: 10 (increase of 1) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 144 (no change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 9 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 34,750 (increase of 100) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (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 Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 257, including 185 in Kawartha Lakes, 50 in Northumberland, 22 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Haliburton) Active cases: 5, including 2 in Northumberland and 3 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Haliburton) Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 14, including 6 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (no net change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 15, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 232, including 166 in Kawartha Lakes, 47 in Northumberland, 19 in Haliburton (no change) Institutional outbreaks: Warkworth Long Term Care (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: 82 (no change) Active cases: 5 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized (total to date): 7 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU (total to date): 2 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 2 (no change) Resolved: 72 (no change) Total tests completed: 47,615 (updated data unavailable) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 80,690 (increase of 998) Resolved: 69,137 (increase of 948, 85.7% of all cases) Hospitalized: 381 (increase of 14) Hospitalized and in ICU: 86 (increase of 11) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 48 (increase of 4) Deaths: 3,195 (increase of 13) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,042 (increase of 7) Total tests completed: 5,264,568 (increase of 35,754) Tests under investigation: 41,787 (increase of 8,700)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 5 – November 4, 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 5 – November 4, 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)
Local philanthropists David and Patricia Morton have donated $50,000 in support of YWCA Women's Centre of Haliburton County Outreach Services. (Supplied photo)
Local philanthropists David and Patricia Morton have donated $50,000 in support of YWCA Women’s Centre of Haliburton County Outreach Services.
“We are inspired by the courage of isolated and vulnerable women who are struggling to survive and escape from abuse and violence, and to build a better life for themselves and their children,” Patricia Morton says. “We greatly hope that our donation will encourage others to help to support them and the dedicated and great work of the Peterborough Haliburton YWCA.”
In a media release announcing the donation, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton says the need for safety and specialized supports that address violence against women has increased steadily since the initial pandemic lockdown this spring, particularly in rural areas.
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The organization’s clinical therapist and transition support workers, who continue to work remotely during the pandemic, are responding to five to 10 women per week reaching out for support.
“Recent trends in the county, with more cottagers opting to stay in the area, have resulted in an increase in calls to our Haliburton County services for information, support, and safety planning,” says YWCA executive director, Kim Dolan. “We expect this to continue as the reports of abuse are more serious and complex given the heightened stressors brought on by the pandemic.”
YWCA outreach programming in Haliburton County offers clinical therapy and counselling, risk assessment and safety planning, systems navigation and referral, emergency client transportation, court accompaniment, and more.
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The YWCA Women’s Centre of Haliburton County provides a home base for three part-time transition support workers, one full-time clinical therapist, an office coordinator, and an independent family law lawyer who provides information to women.
The Mortons are well-known philanthropists in the Peterborough community, having made generous gifts to organizations including Trent University, Peterborough Humane Society, United Way of Peterborough & District, and the Morton Community Healthcare Centre in Lakefield.
In April, during the height of the first wave of the pandemic, they encouraged the community to donate to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation by matching donations up to $50,000.
Doing your holiday shopping at locally owned independent businesses indirectly benefits non-profit organizations like Peterborough GreenUP, since local business owners tend to provide greater support to local charities and also are more likely to shop locally themselves. You can also support local by shopping at the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough, which carries eco-friendly products from several local makers. (Photo: Ben Hargreaves / GreenUP)
No matter what your normal holiday traditions are, it’s likely they will look a little different this year due to COVID-19. We must adapt the way we connect with loved ones during this special season, but we also need to recognize that our buying habits need some adaptation as well.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Kristen LaRocque, GreenUP’s Store and Resource Centre Coordinator.
Big box stores or online marketplaces like Amazon can be tempting ways to satisfy our loved ones’ wish lists. Many of the common arguments for shopping this way have to do with convenience. In a time when Peterborough’s economy is suffering, please consider — if you are able — making your holiday purchases locally rather than supporting multinational companies and sending your dollars outside “the Patch.”
You will likely find that the experience of buying from local makers and businesses is actually much more enjoyable, and just as convenient. Many local makers have responded to the pandemic by setting up online stores, delivery, and curbside-pickup options. Some orders are ready the same day.
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Perhaps you have questions about inventory or delivery time. There’s a good chance you can get the owner or local maker on the phone to answer your questions directly, without even being put on hold. Don’t underestimate the gift of connecting with a real, local, wonderful human being when many of us are experiencing more isolation than we’re used to.
“When you choose to shop at locally owned independent businesses, more money is kept in our wonderful community,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA). “Local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farmers.”
“The same is true of local artisans, craftspeople, and artists. These people are the fabric of our community and, like you, they pay taxes, access health care, and live their lives in this community. They care about our community. They’re invested, and they’re more accountable. We really are in this together.”
Many locally owned independent businesses have responded to the pandemic by setting up online stores, delivery, and curbside-pickup options. To encourage Peterborough residents to support local, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) launched “The Boro” website earlier this year, where you can connect with local businesses including restaurants, order online, purchase gift cards, and more. (Photo: Joon Kim / Peterborough DBIA)
In addition, choosing to shop local indirectly benefits non-profits, like us here at GreenUP. Charities typically receive greater support from local business owners, who are also more likely to shop locally themselves. Additionally, non-profits and charities often offer local programming and services for little or no cost, making these organizations a tremendous boon to the community.
By supporting local business, you are driving an ongoing cycle of local support that includes local charities.
Consider sending lightweight locally made gifts and cards to friends and family members living farther away. This could include a set of beeswax food wraps to kick start a waste-free journey, or a gift card in support of a small business in their own local community.
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We can also call on our own creative capacities (perhaps newly discovered during lockdown) and make miniature paintings or drawings that can be sent by mail and hung up in the home. Paper crafts, such as origami or snowflake cut-outs, are excellent gifts that add holiday cheer and can engage children in the gifting process.
“When I’m able, I prefer to make gifts for the holidays,” says Jenn McCallum, coordinator of GreenUP’s water programs. “A favourite is cookies or brownies in a jar. I save my dry ingredients inside the jar, add a nice reusable bow, and write out the cooking directions.”
“We are making candles this year with thrifted teacups, soy wax, and a few drops of essential oil,” adds Natalie Stephenson, coordinator of Green Economy Peterborough at GreenUP. “Also, instead of stuff, I love giving intangible things like services and experiences — like music lessons, memberships to B!KE, or a workshop at the Endeavour Centre or Johnston’s Greenhouse.”
It’s not just local businesses that need support during the pandemic. Some non-profit organizations, such as the Market Hall Performing Centre in downtown Peterborough, have been severely affected by the pandemic. Consider gifting someone a membership or making a donation on their behalf to help ensure the local arts community can survive the pandemic. (Photo: Joon Kim / Peterborough DBIA)
If you are sending a parcel, there are lots of eco-friendly packing materials available in your own home. Check your recycling bin for newspaper and cardboard boxes. Find some pieces of worn-out clothing destined for the scrap pile.
There are plenty of instructional videos online that can help you craft a fun envelope or fabric bubble mailer from repurposed materials like these.
As we look ahead to Black Friday and the holiday shopping season, here’s a handy list of ways you can manage your purchases, keep things sustainable, and support our local economy.
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Participate in White Monday and Giving Tuesday
In response to the consumer wave that Black Friday brings, White Monday encourages people to be circular consumers and avoid disposable purchases.
Giving Tuesday asks people to consider donating their time or money to a non-profit charity or someone in need.
Support marginalized communities
COVID-19 has highlighted and exacerbated the disparities in our world. Consider supporting local organizations that help those in need and fight for equity.
If you are able to, please donate to local food banks.
Also consider supporting organizations like the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and Black Lives Matter Nogojiwanong.
A fun and thoughtful way to support local and gift sustainably is to give experiences and access to resources instead of more stuff. For example, if you have a bike enthusiast on your list, gift them a membership to B!KE, the community bike shop in downtown Peterborough that is also now a registered charity. Besides supporting B!KE, a membership provides unlimited shop time for a year, access to a wide selection of inexpensive used parts, and more. (Photo: B!KE)
Shop local and support local businesses
Keep your money circulating in the local economy by supporting local business owners, makers, and artists that live in our community.
Make a list and check it twice
Avoid impulse buys and purchasing things you don’t need. Stick to a pre-planned gift list.
Less is more
Buy less and be thoughtful about your purchases. Consider gifts that are useful and not frivolous.
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Do stuff, don’t buy stuff
Consider an experiential gift instead of more “stuff” for your loved ones.
Look for online options, like a gift card to upcoming online workshops with the Art School of Peterborough, or outdoor experiences that can be done safely, like a Parks Canada Pass.
Support retailers taking climate action
Purchase goods from retailers who carry organic, reusable, sustainable, local, and renewable products and who are making climate action part of their business model.
However you plan to adapt your normal holiday traditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please do what you can to support local.
Be on the lookout for an article in early December about local gift ideas to help even last-minute shoppers buy sustainably.
Molly Cadigan won first place and $250 for her submission "Heritage Matters" (top) in Peterborough County's #PicturePtboCounty photo contest. Barry Mortin (bottom left) won second place, with Connie Kot, James Forrester, and David Frey receiving honourable mentions for their submissions. (Supplied photos)
Peterborough County has announced the winners of its #PicturePtboCounty photography contest.
Molly Cadigan won first place and $250 for her photo “Heritage Matters”, with Barry Mortin taking second place and $100 for his photo “Lightning Lake”.
Connie Kot (“Winter Waterfall”), James Forrester (“Red Door”), and David Frey (“Ice Hockey”) each received an honourable mention and $50.
The winning photos are displayed below.
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Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones announced the winners at the virtual county council meeting on Wednesday (November 4).
The contest, which ran during the month of October, encouraged local residents to submit pictures of Peterborough County’s natural beauty, dynamic infrastructure and industry, or vibrant community life.
The county received 160 submissions, with Jones selecting the first-place winner.
Winner – Molly Cadigan
“Heritage Matters” is the winner of the 2020 #PicturePtboCounty contest. (Photo: Molly Cadigan)
Second Place – Barry Mortin
“Lightning Lake” won second place in the 2020 #PicturePtboCounty contest. (Photo: Barry Mortin)
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Honourable Mentions – Connie Kot, James Forrester, David Frey
“Winter Waterfall” received an honourable mention. (Photo: Connie Kot)“Red Door” received an honourable mention. (Photo: James Forrester)“Ice Hockey” received an honourable mention. (Photo: David Frey)
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Today, Ontario is reporting 987 new cases of COVID-19, with the majority in Toronto (319), Peel (299), York (85), and Durham (62). There are smaller increases in Ottawa (48), Halton (47), Hamilton (32), Simcoe Muskoka (25), Waterloo (21), and Niagara (16). The remaining 24 public health units are reporting 5 or fewer cases, with 10 health units reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s cases, 52% are among people 40 and older. With 945 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.2% to 85.6%. The positivity rate has dropped by 0.3% to 3.7%, meaning that 37 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on November 3.
For the second day in a row, there has been a double-digit increase in the number of deaths, with 16 new deaths today, 11 of which were in long-term care facilities. Hospitalizations have increased by 10 to 367, with 2 additional patients in ICUs and 3 fewer patients on ventilators.
A total of 28,567 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has increased by 12,329 to 33,087.
There are 116 new cases in Ontario schools, a decrease of 18 from yesterday, with 81 student cases, 7 staff cases, and 28 cases among unidentified individuals. There are 16 cases in licensed child care settings, a decrease of 7 from yesterday, with 8 cases among children and 8 cases among staff.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 3 new cases to report. There is 1 new case in Peterborough; however, an additional case has been resolved. There is 1 new case to report in Haliburton, after a case previously reported at a different health unit was transferred based on where the case resided at the time; however, an additional case has been resolved in Northumberland. There is 1 new case in Hastings and Prince Edward counties; however, 2 additional cases have been resolved.
There are no new cases to report in Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland. None of the new cases in Ontario schools and child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.
There are currently 16 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 7 in Peterborough, 5 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 2 in Northumberland, and 2 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 153 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (144 resolved with 2 deaths), 185 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (166 resolved with 32 deaths), 50 in Northumberland County (47 resolved with 1 death), 21 in Haliburton County (19 resolved with no deaths), and 82 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (72 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Northumberland on September 8.
Province-wide, there have been 79,692 confirmed cases, an increase of 987 from yesterday, with 68,189 cases resolved (85.6% of all cases), an increase of 945. There have been 3,182 deaths, an increase of 16 from yesterday, with 2,035 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 11 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 10 to 367, with 2 additional patients in ICUs and 3 fewer patients on ventilators. A total of 5,228,814 tests have been completed, an increase of 28,567 from yesterday, with 33,087 tests under investigation, an increase of 12,329 from yesterday.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
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: 153 (increase of 1) Active cases: 7 (no change) Close contacts: 9 (decrease of 8) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 144 (increase of 1) Hospitalizations (total to date): 9 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 34,650 (increase of 100) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (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 Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 256, including 185 in Kawartha Lakes, 50 in Northumberland, 21 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Haliburton)* Active cases: 4, including 2 in Northumberland and 2 in Haliburton (decrease of 1 in Northumberland, increase of 1 in Haliburton)* Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 14, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 6 in Northumberland (no change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 15, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 232, including 166 in Kawartha Lakes, 47 in Northumberland, 19 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Northumberland) Institutional outbreaks: Warkworth Long Term Care (no change)
*One previously reported case at a different health unit has been transferred based on where the case resided at the time.
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: 82 (increase of 1) Active cases: 5 (decrease of 1) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized (total to date): 7 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU (total to date): 2 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 2 (no change) Resolved: 72 (increase of 2) Total tests completed: 47,615 (increase of 824) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 79,692 (increase of 987) Resolved: 68,189 (increase of 945, 85.6% of all cases) Hospitalized: 367 (increase of 10) Hospitalized and in ICU: 75 (increase of 2) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 44 (decrease of 3) Deaths: 3,182 (increase of 16) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,035 (increase of 11) Total tests completed: 5,228,814 (increase of 28,567) Tests under investigation: 33,087 (increase of 12,329)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 4 – November 3, 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 deaths Ontario from October 4 – November 3, 2020. The red line is the aggregate total of deaths reported daily and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of reported deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from October 4 – November 3, 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)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the provincial government is investing an additional $630 million in broadband and celluar access across Ontario during an announcement in Minden Hills on November 4, 2020. (Photo: Office of the Premier)
The Ontario government is investing another $680 million to improve broadband and cellular access across the province, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon (November 4) at the Haliburton County Public Library in Minden Hills, accompanied by finance minister Rod Phillips, infrastructure minister and Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, and Treasury Board president Peter Bethlenfalvy.
“This pandemic has shown us the importance of access to high-speed internet and reliable cell service, access that so many of us take for granted,” Ford said. “Reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it is necessary for everyday life. It allows people to bank, shop, learn, get their news, or watch their favourite movies.”
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Except, Ford said, for people like an area woman who has travelled the world but “is lucky to get one bar of service on her cell phone” at home.
“She says she got better cell reception as a tourist in the Serengeti desert in Africa,” Ford added. “She had five bars of service there.”
The $680 million in funding is in addition to $315 million announced in July 2019, resulting in an investment of almost $1 billion over six years.
The funding will be used for shovel-ready projects starting this year and next.
According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, more than 1.4 million people in Ontario do not have broadband or cellular access, and as many as 12 per cent of households in Ontario — mainly in rural, remote, or northern areas — either have no broadband internet service or are underserved.
Ontario infrastructure minister and Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott Ontario during the broadband and cellular access announcement in Minden Hills on November 4, 2020. (Photo: Office of the Premier)
“This investment will connect even more residents in communities across Ontario to faster more reliable internet and cell service,” Scott said. “Today’s commitment to connect more people to reliable broadband and cellular service — along with many others we’ve made — will make it easier for more people to work and learn from home, run their businesses and connect with others.”
The $680 million in funding will double the investment in the Improving Connectivity in Ontario (ICON) program, which partners with telecom companies, municipal governments, First Nation communities, and non-profits to improve connectivity. With the additional funding, ICON will be able to leverage more than $900 million in total funding with program partners.
The Ontario government has also partnered with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) to invest $71 million in a $213 million project to improve access to cellular service and mobile broadband in eastern Ontario.
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City of Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham, who is chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus that created EORN, also attended Wednesday’s announcement along with Minden Hills mayor Brent Devolin.
“In the 21st century, connectivity is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity,” Letham said. “It is a social, cultural, and economic lifeline for students, families, businesses, and seniors in communities across the province. The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted this need.”
“Members of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association have been calling for investments in broadband infrastructure, particularly now as we try to recover from COVID-19 and strive for long-term prosperity,” Letham added.
“Today’s exciting announcement by the province of Ontario, on top of previous announcements in connectivity, are welcome and much appreciated. It will help connect more homes and businesses in Ontario communities, increase their economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.”
Omemee's Bob Young performing his song "Hey America" along with Peterborough musicians Ryan Weber of The Weber Brothers and Melissa Payne and Travis Good and Mike Belitsky of Toronto band The Sadies. Bob's younger brother, the legendary Neil Young, also performs in the video. (Screenshot)
If you have the passion, it’s never too old to try something new, as demonstrated by Omemee resident Bob Young. At 78 years old, he has released “Hey America”, his first-ever song.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt if your younger brother is a legendary musician. A video of “Hey America” released by Neil Young last Thursday (October 28) features a performance of Bob’s folk song by his band, Young Bob & The Peterboroughs.
Bob performs on lead vocal and acoustic guitar, with Peterborough musicians Ryan Weber of The Weber Brothers on bass and Melissa Payne on fiddle and harmony vocal, and members of Toronto band The Sadies, Travis Good on banjo and harmony vocal and Mike Belitsky on drums.
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And Bob’s famous brother also makes an appearance in the video, on harmonica and harmony vocal.
Bob says he was inspired to write “Hey America” a couple of years ago when he was watching Donald Trump on TV and wrote down a few lines.
“When I got home, I found I could play those lines on guitar,” Bob says. “Gradually, it became what it is now. It took a while to be able to play and sing the song from start to finish. When I could finally accomplish that, it was a victory.”
VIDEO: “Hey America” performed by Young Bob & The Peterboroughs
The song’s lyrics include lines such as, “Hey America / Give love a chance / It’s the beacon of freedom / Set your liberty free / Make equality real.” It’s no coincidence the song was released a few days before the U.S. election.
Bob says he was encouraged to record the song by his family and close friends, including Neil and his wife Daryl Hannah, singer-songwriter Carrie Alice Williams, the song’s co-writer Diane Marshall, and Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor.
“The recording process all happened at once,” Bob explains. “I had never done that either. It was a band performance that had spontaneity. In another session, some vocal harmony was added, and Neil played harmonica.”
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The video was directed by filmmaker Adam CK Vollick (who also worked on Neil Young’s December 2018 Home Town concert in Omemee), along with Neil Young and Daryl Hannah. It was shot at Gores Landing Hall, south of Rice Lake.
“The filming of Hey America was done in the COVID-19 environment,” Neil writes on his website, after releasing the video days before the U.S. election.
“One shot where we’re all standing together, singing without masks, was done in three separate shoots with the same background and assembled in post-production to look like three people singing together.”
Melissa Payne, Neil Young, and Travis Good singing harmony vocals to Bob Young’s song “Hey America”. Due to the pandemic, the three musicians were filmed separately using the same background, and the shots were assembled in post-production to make it appear they were singing together. (Screenshot)
A former golfer, Bob’s foray into songwriting isn’t his first artistic endeavour. He’s also been working on his book True Golf – Mind Power and the Art of the Direct Hit , which details his golfing experiences with his longtime friend, the late Canadian professional golfer Moe Norman.
Bob, who says he has more songs “all from the same creative spark”, is encouraging others in his generation to try something new.
“All you aging baby boomers out there, give it a shot,” Bob says. “As Yogi Berra put it, It ain’t over ’til it’s over, and even then it ain’t over. I agree.”
Omemee’s Bob Young was inspired to write “Hey America” after watching Donald Trump on TV. His family and close friends encouraged the 78-year-old former golfer to record the song. The video was shot at Gores Landing Hall, south of Rice Lake. (Screenshot)
Decorated World War II veteran Joseph "Joe" Sullivan, pictured at left in England in 1942 when he was 22 years old, passed away on November 1, 2020 at the age of 100 at Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home in Peterborough. Sullivan was one of the last surviving members of the 1st Battalion of the 9th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division that came ashore at Juno Beach in Normandy, France in June 1944. Sullivan served as a radio operator with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. (Photos courtesy of the Sullivan family)
I know what they’re saying son
There goes old man Joe again
Well I may be mad at that I’ve seen enough
To make a man go out his brains
Well do they know what it’s like
To have a graveyard as a friend
‘Cause that’s where they are boy, all of them
Don’t seem likely I’ll get friends like that again.
– Talking Old Soldiers (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)
An obituary serves its purpose well, providing a snapshot of a life lived.
In but a few words, we learn not only of one’s passing but also as many details as the writer is willing to share — family lineage, professional and personal milestones and, often, a few descriptors that speak to character.
As an obituary, the listing for Joseph (Joe) Cornelius Sullivan does its job, praising the “proud” Second World War veteran as “a selfless leader, mentor and advocate” who has left behind a “legacy of strength, courage, honour, generosity and love.” If the objective here is to make those who never crossed paths with Joe sense they have missed out, mission accomplished.
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When I learned Sunday (November 1) of Joe’s passing at age 100, my first thought — that I didn’t miss out — was admittedly totally selfish. I offer no apology for that. Rather our meeting and spending time was a privilege in every sense of the word.
On two occasions — first in November 2012 and in the same month in 2018 — I made the trip to Peterborough’s Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home and was wholly welcomed into the fourth-floor “home” of one of the then just two surviving members of the 1st Battalion of the 9th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division that waded ashore in Normandy, France in June 1944.
Just 23 years old when French soil first muddied the soles of his army issue boots, the radio operator — a carpenter by trade — spent the next 56 days on the front line as his battalion advanced into Holland. Finding himself in the German port city of Emden when the guns fell silent in May 1945, Joe had accomplished the first objective of all who have gone to war — he was alive.
Radio operator Joseph Sullivan (rear row, right) celebrating with his signals platoon in Emden, Germany, on Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, 1945. A signals platoon in an infantry battalion was responsible for maintaining communication between the companies of the battalion and battalion headquarters. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Sullivan)
Joe returned to Holland in 2005 for the 60th anniversary of that country’s liberation from Nazi occupation but never returned to France. However, 10 years later, France came to Joe, awarding him the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaporte. Among the Canadians so honoured are First World War air ace Billy Bishop and singer Céline Dion — pretty good company.
Upon coming home in December 1945, Joe returned to work as a carpenter before embarking on a new career in 1967, selling real estate for Bowes and Cocks. Retiring in 1978, he was gifted with more time very well spent with his wife Ella (English). They were residing together at Fairhaven when Ella passed in February 2015 — the parents of four daughters and a son, and grandparents and great-grandparents many times over.
There you have it. The Cole’s Notes version of the life of Joseph (Joe) Cornelius Sullivan. Allow me to now tell you about the man I met on two occasions and came away full of respect for and grateful I didn’t miss out.
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For all their chest-swelling pride in their service, most veterans long gone and those still with us share another trait — silence. The assault on the senses they experienced is too painful, too fresh even after all these years. We respect their silence as we should. They’ve more than earned that.
But there are exceptions to that and, as each passing year sees us more removed from their service, we need to hear their voices. They speak to the very core of lest we forget.
With remarkable clarity, Joe remembered it all, not hesitating to talk of what he saw, what he heard, and what he felt without glorifying the experience but always, always, honouring the sacrifice and courage of his battalion mates.
A 98-year-old Joe Sullivan at Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home in Peterborough in 2018, displaying a montage of medals related to his war service. In 2015, Joseph Sullivan was awarded the French National Order of the Legion of Honour (bottom left) in recognition of his war service. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
Settled in his easy chair, his many framed wall-mounted medals and citations looking down upon him, Joe admitted to being “always scared” before adding “But we knew we had a job to do.”
In that moment, Joe was in France circa the summer of 1944 and I was there with him. No, Joe didn’t have me at hello but he had me with every word that followed.
Remembrance Day 2020 has fallen victim to the scourge of COVID-19 and its associated restrictions. Annual ceremonies held at cenotaphs across the country, including the beautiful Walter Allward-designed tribute in Peterborough’s Confederation Park, will be brief and much toned down with residents urged not to attend — a dramatic departure from the you-must-attend invitation that has always been extended.
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I hope that by sharing here my experience of sitting down with Joe, and my lasting admiration for his service and open recollections, I can help fill a void. We don’t have to be present to remember. We simply have to remember their presence.
A twist of fate, a wrong step in any one of a number of directions, and Joe might not have come home. His would be a name long-chiseled on the cenotaph; a reminder that there once was a man who was scared but did the job he had to do.
Joseph Sullivan (second row, second from right) with the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders in Leesten, The Netherlands, for the 60th anniversary of Holland’s liberation in May 2005. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Sullivan)
But Joe came home — “I consider myself lucky” he said — and his gift to me, and through me to you, was his willingness to talk about that which many have refused to speak of with a singular purpose in mind: that we never forget.
A funeral mass for Joseph Sullivan will be held at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church (300 Wilson St., Peterborough) at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2020, followed by internment at Highland Park Cemetery. COVID-19 restrictions are in place, space is limited, and face coverings are required.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Fairhaven Long-Term Care. Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com.
Premier Doug Ford announces Ontario's new classification system for COVID-19 activity in public health units at a media conference at Queen's Park on November 3, 2020. (CPAC screenshot)
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
With Ontario reporting a single day record of 1,050 new COVID-19 cases, the provincial government released its new “COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework”, which includes classifying public health unit regions into one of five colour-coded categories to reflect the level of COVID-19 activity.
Details were announced on Tuesday (November 3) during a media conference at Queen’s Park by Premier Doug Ford, health minister Christine Elliott, finance minister Rod Phillips, Treasury Board president Peter Bethlenfalvy, and chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams.
“This framework, developed in consultation with our health experts, will serve as an early warning system allowing us to scale up and scale back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19,” Ford said. “By introducing public health measures sooner, we can keep this deadly virus at bay, bend the curve and reclaim a little more of our normal lives.”
The least restrictive category is Green-Prevent, which includes standard public health measures. The majority of public health units currently fall in this category, including the three in the greater Kawarthas region. The next category is Yellow-Protect, which includes strengthened measures; Brant County, Hamilton, Durham, and Halton currently fall in this category. Orange-Restrict includes intermediate measures; Toronto, Peel, York, Ottawa, and Eastern Ontario Health Unit currently fall in this category.
There are currently no health units in the two most restrictive categories: Red-Control, which includes stringent public health measures, and Grey-Lockdown, which includes maximum public health measures.
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The new system modifies existing health measures depending on the category, which in some cases are less restrictive than the current modified Stage 2 requirements affecting Toronto, Peel, York, and Ottawa.
For example, in Yellow-Protect, bars and restaurants must close at midnight, alcohol cannot be served past 11 p.m., and only 6 people can be seated together. In Orange-Restrict, bars and restaurants must close at 10 p.m., alcohol cannot be served past 9 p.m., and only 4 people can be seated together.
The list of all proposed measures, including for social gatherings, bars and restaurants, sports and recreational facilities, meeting and event spaces, retail, personal care services, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments, cinemas, and performing arts facilities are included in the COVID-19 Response Framework, available below.
The new colour-coding system will go into effect as of Saturday (November 7), although Toronto may be delayed into entering the Orange-Restrict level until the following week at the request of Mayor John Tory.
Of the 1,050 new cases reported today, most are in Toronto (408), Peel (212), Halton (86), York (76), and Durham (57), with smaller increases in Ottawa (34), Niagara (31), Hamilton (34), Simcoe Muskoka (21), Southwestern Public Health (20), Waterloo (20), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (11), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (11), and Brant County (10). The remaining 20 public health units are reporting 5 or fewer cases, with 13 health units reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s cases, 51% are among people under the age of 40. With 837 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has decreased by 0.1% to 85.4%. The positivity rate remains unchanged at 4.0%, meaning that 40 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on November 2.
There have been 14 new deaths, including 8 new deaths in long-term care homes. Hospitalizations have increased by 29 to 357, although this increase is based on yesterday’s number that excluded data from 40 hospitals. There are 2 fewer patients in ICUs and 2 additional patient on ventilator.
A total of 25,279 tests were completed yesterday, and the backlog of tests under investigation has increased by 5,361 to 20,758.
The number of cases in Ontario schools has jumped to 134, an increase of 65 from yesterday, with 82 student cases, 13 staff cases, and 39 cases among unidentified individuals. There are 23 cases in licensed child care settings, an increase of 17 from yesterday, with 7 cases among children and 16 cases among staff.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 2 new cases to report in Peterborough; however, an additional case has been resolved, leaving 7 active cases there. There are no new cases to report in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, or Hastings and Prince Edward counties. An additional case has been resolved in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, leaving 6 active cases there.
None of the new cases in Ontario schools and child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.
There are currently 17 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, including 7 in Peterborough, 6 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, 3 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 152 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (143 resolved with 2 deaths), 185 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (166 resolved with 32 deaths), 50 in Northumberland County (46 resolved with 1 death), 20 in Haliburton County (19 resolved with no deaths), and 81 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (70 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Northumberland on September 8.
Province-wide, there have been 78,705 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,050 from yesterday, with 67,244 cases resolved (85.4% of all cases), an increase of 837. There have been 3,166 deaths, an increase of 14 from yesterday, with 2,024 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 8 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has increased by 29 to 357, although this increase is based on yesterday’s number that did not include data from 40 hospitals. There are 2 fewer patients in ICUs and 2 additional patients on ventilators. A total of 5,200,247 tests have been completed, an increase of 20,758 from yesterday, with 20,758 tests under investigation, an increase of 5,361 from yesterday.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
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: 152 (increase of 2) Active cases: 7 (increase of 1) Close contacts: 17 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 143 (increase of 1) Hospitalizations (total to date): 9 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 34,550 (increase of 50) Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven (no change)
*An outbreak at Fairhaven Long-Term Care in Peterborough was declared on October 31 after a caregiver tested positive.
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: 255, including 185 in Kawartha Lakes, 50 in Northumberland, 20 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: 0 (no change) High-risk contacts: 14, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes, 4 in Northumberland, and 6 in Northumberland (no change) Hospitalizations (total to date): 15, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Deaths: 33 (no change) Resolved: 231, including 166 in Kawartha Lakes, 46 in Northumberland, 19 in Haliburton (no change) Active cases: 4, including 3 in Northumberland and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Institutional outbreaks: Warkworth Long Term Care (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: 81 (no change) Active cases: 6 (decrease of 1) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized (total to date): 7 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU (total to date): 2 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 2 (no change) Resolved: 70 (increase of 1) Total tests completed: 46,791 (no change) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 78,705 (increase of 1,050) Resolved: 67,244 (increase of 837, 85.4% of all cases) Hospitalized: 357 (increase of 29)* Hospitalized and in ICU: 73 (decrease of 2) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 47 (increase of 2) Deaths: 3,166 (increase of 14) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,024 (increase of 8) Total tests completed: 5,200,247 (increase of 25,279) Tests under investigation: 20,758 (increase of 5,361)
*This increase is from data reported on November 2, which did not include numbers from 40 hospitals. The number of hospitalizations reported on November 1 was 350.
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from October 3 – November 2, 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 3 – November 2, 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)
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