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

With Ontario reporting a record 2,447 new cases today, Premier Doug Ford is urging Ontarians not to wait for the province-wide shutdown to stay at home.

“I know the lockdown starts on December 26, but I have to tell you, folks, every time you take a trip, it puts people in jeopardy,” Ford says in a video posted on Twitter. “So please — as of right now — please stay at home when you can. Only go out to get groceries, or medical appointments, or necessary trips.”

“But folks, we will get through this. We have 28 days and we’re going to give it everything we can, and we will come out stronger than ever after this.”

I know the lockdown starts on December 26, but every time you take a trip outside your home it puts people in jeopardy. So please, as of now, stay home when you can. Only go out to get groceries, medication or for necessary trips. pic.twitter.com/jB8ntV0xAS

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 24, 2020

Today’s increase is the tenth straight day of cases over 2,000 and the highest case count on a single day since the pandemic began. With today’s new cases, the seven-day average of daily cases across the province has increased by 2 to 2,306.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 10 new cases to report and 11 additional cases resolved, with the number of active cases across the region decreasing by 1 to 94.

Most of today’s new cases are in Toronto (646), Peel (502), York (263), Windsor-Essex (173), and Hamilton (101).

There are double-digit increases in Niagara (93), Durham (92), Waterloo (82), Ottawa (77), Middlesex-London (67), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (73), Halton (55), Simcoe Muskoka (38), Eastern Ontario Health Unit (30), Southwestern Public Health (30), Thunder Bay (20), Lambton (20), and Brant (16), with smaller increases in Haldimand-Norfolk (11), Peterborough (9), Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (8), Grey Bruce (8), Huron Perth (8), Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (7), and Chatham-Kent (6).

The remaining 9 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with only a single health unit (Algoma) reporting no new cases at all.

Of today’s cases, 52% are among people 40 years of age and older, with the highest number of cases (869) among people ages 20 to 39 followed by 723 cases among people ages 40 to 59. With 2,013 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has decreased by 0.1% to 85.4%. The average positivity rate across Ontario has decreased by 1.1% to 3.7%, meaning that 37 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on December 23.

Ontario is reporting 49 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 35 deaths in long-term care facilities. Hospitalizations have decreased by 35 to 967, with 2 more patients with COVID-19 in ICUs and 10 fewer patients on ventilators.

A total of 64,592 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation increasing by 8,274 to 75,250.

Due to the winter break and the remote learning period during the provincial shutdown, there will be no data to report between December 22 and January 8. There are 24 new cases in licensed child care settings, a decrease of 7 from yesterday, with 11 cases among children and 13 cases among staff.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 10 new cases to report, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Peterborough, 2 in Hastings Prince Edward, and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.

An additional 11 cases have been resolved, including 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, 2 in Northumberland, and 2 in Peterborough.

None of the reported cases in licensed child care settings are in the greater Kawarthas region.

There are currently 94 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 1 from yesterday, including 35 in Northumberland, 29 in Peterborough, 20 in Hastings Prince Edward (6 in Quinte West, 6 in Belleville, 5 in Prince Edward County, 2 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, and 1 in Central Hastings), and 10 in Kawartha Lakes. There are no active cases in Haliburton.

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 290 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (256 resolved with 5 deaths), 230 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (201 resolved with 33 deaths), 215 in Northumberland County (178 resolved with 1 death), 27 in Haliburton County (27 resolved with no deaths), and 260 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (225 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on November 23.

Province-wide, there have been 165,110 confirmed cases, an increase of 2,447 from yesterday, with 141,023 cases resolved (85.4% of all cases), an increase of 2,013 from yesterday. There have been 4,278 deaths, an increase of 49 from yesterday, with 2,643 deaths in long-term care homes, an increase of 35 from yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has decreased by 35 to 967, with 2 more patients with COVID-19 in ICUs and 10 fewer patients on ventilators. A total of 7,592,554 tests have been completed, an increase of 64,592 from yesterday, with 75,250 tests under investigation, an increase of 8,274 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

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: 290 (increase of 3)
Active cases: 29 (increase of 1)
Close contacts: 128 (decrease of 2)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Resolved: 256 (increase of 2)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 13 (no change)*
Total tests completed: Over 38,600 (increase of 50)
Institutional outbreaks: Fairhaven in Peterborough, Riverview Manor in Peterborough, Unidentified congregate living setting (no change)

*As of December 23, Peterborough Regional Health Centre reports 1 patient with COVID-19 on an inpatient unit and 1 patient with COVID-19 in the ICU (transferred from another hospital).

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

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

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

Confirmed positive: 472, including 230 in Kawartha Lakes, 215 in Northumberland, 27 in Haliburton (increase of 5, including 4 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Northumberland)*
Active cases: 45, including 10 in Kawartha Lakes and 35 in Northumberland (net increase of 3)
Probable cases: 1 (increase of 1)
High-risk contacts: 324, including 21 in Kawartha Lakes, 187 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (net decrease of 19)**
Hospitalizations (total to date): 18, including 11 in Kawartha Lakes, 6 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change)
Deaths: 33 (no change)
Resolved: 406, including 201 in Kawartha Lakes, 178 in Northumberland, 27 in Haliburton (increase of 2 in Northumberland)
Institutional outbreaks: Case Manor Care Community in Bobcaygeon, Golden Plough Lodge in Cobourg (no change)

*Two additional cases reported previously have been added to the Kawartha Lakes case count. One case transferred to another health unit has been removed from the Northumberland case count. Two additional cases previously reported have been added to the total health unit case count, and one case transferred to another health unit has been removed from the total case count.

**This total includes 113 high-risk contacts directly followed up through the Public Health Ontario contact tracing process that are missing the contacts’ county.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

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

The health unit provides daily reports, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 260 (increase of 2)
Active cases: 20 (decrease of 5)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 2 (decrease of 1)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (decrease of 1)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change)
Resolved: 235 (increase of 7)
Swabs completed: 23,212 (increase of 3)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 165,110 (increase of 2,447)
Resolved: 141,023 (increase of 2,013, 85.4% of all cases)
Hospitalized: 967 (decrease of 35)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 277 (increase of 2)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 176 (increase of 10)
Deaths: 4,278 (increase of 49)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 2,643 (increase of 35)
Total tests completed: 7,592,554 (increase of 64,592)
Tests under investigation: 75,250 (increase of 8,274)

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

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning on Christmas Eve for much of the greater Kawarthas region. Several hours of freezing rain are expected on Thursday night (December 24), particularly over higher terrain. Up to 5 mm of ice accumulation is possible.

The freezing rain warning has been issued for northern Peterborough County including Apsley, southern Peterborough County including Peterborough and Lakefield, all of Kawartha Lakes including Fenelon Falls and Lindsay, all of Haliburton County including Haliburton and Minden, and Hastings Highlands including Bancroft.

The freezing rain will develop late in the evening and continue into Friday morning. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery, and hazardous. Power outages may occur.

Eventually, all precipitation will switch over to snow, and as much as 5 to 10 cm of snow is expected by mid-morning on Friday in some areas of the Kawarthas.

For Northumberland County including Cobourg and Belleville-Quinte West, a rainfall warning is in effect.

Heavy rainfall totalling 30 to 50 mm is expected to develop Thursday and continue into Friday. The frozen ground will have a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall.

Rain will ease to showers and then turn to snow flurries on Friday.

This story has been updated to include southern Peterborough County in the freezing rain warning.

The Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Rink in Cobourg will stay open during the province-wide shutdown, but with enhanced enforcement to ensure compliance with public health measures.

On Wednesday (December 23), Cobourg council held an emergency meeting and decided to keep the fountain rink — known as the “frink” to locals — open for the duration of the province-wide shutdown, which runs from Saturday, December 26 until Saturday, January 23rd.

“We understand and appreciate the need to have our outdoor rink operational during a time when so few activities are available for our community,” says Cobourg mayor John Henderson. “Physical and mental well-being are crucial especially during this time of isolation and I ask that all rink users comply with the provincial and public health requirements.”

Outdoor recreational amenities include ice rinks are permitted to open under the Ontario government’s shutdown rules, as long as gatherings are limited to 10 people, people who are not members of the same household maintain at least two metres of distance from one another, and no team sports are played.

On Thursday (December 24), municipal staff will erect a rectangular fence around the perimeter of the rink. For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a maximum of 25 skaters will be allowed on the rink at a time.

When the shutdown takes effect on Saturday (December 26) and for the duration of the shutdown, no more than 10 skaters will be allowed on the rink. Cobourg police will provide special constables as added full-time security to enforce the rules and to support contact tracing.

In addition, as of Monday (December 28), all rink users will need to register in advance on the town’s website for 45-minute time slots.

The new operating hours for the rink will be noon to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

Along with maintaining two metres of distance from others not in the same household, rink users must sanitize their hands before using the rink and must be wearing ice skates or ice sledges. Hockey sticks, pucks, or games of tag are not allowed on the ice surface. While not required under provincial rules, face coverings are strongly recommended.

Those who fail to follow the rules of the outdoor rink will be asked to leave immediately.

As part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting, Cobourg council also asked municipal staff to report back to council on Monday, January 4th with possible sites and costs for a second community rink in the Town of Cobourg.

As Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day are statutory holidays in Ontario, all government offices and services are closed (because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, the statutory holiday is observed on Monday, December 28). Liquor and beer stores are closed, except for a selected few beer stores that will be open on Boxing Day. Most businesses — including malls, box stores, and grocery stores — are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day but are open on Boxing Day. Many businesses close early in the afternoon on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

All services and businesses are affected by the province-wide COVID-19 shutdown that begins on Boxing Day (December 26) and continues through the remainder of the holidays. Here are a few key things to know about the impact of the shutdown on services and businesses:

• Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are closed (this includes municipal arenas and facilities).
• Museums and art galleries are closed.
• Libraries can provide curbside pick-up only.
• Grocery stores and pharmacies are limited to 50 per cent capacity.
• Big box and discount retailers that sell groceries are open, but limited to 25 per cent capacity.
• Shopping malls are closed for in-person retail, but curbside pick-up (or in-mall pick-up at a designated area) is permitted.
• All other retailers are closed for in-person retail, with only curbside pick-up or delivery permitted.
• Only take-out or delivery is permitted at restaurants (no inside or outside dining).
• Movie theatres and performance venues are closed.
• Personal care services are closed.

For your convenience, we provide this list of holiday hours for 268 selected businesses and services across the Kawarthas. This information comes from their websites and social media accounts, which may or may not be up to date, so please always call them first to confirm their hours (we’ve included phone numbers), especially when you are travelling any distance. If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form.

Search by business name, location, or keyword:

Beer & Liquor Stores

Drug Stores, Pharmacies & Health Services

Government Services

Grocery Stores

Malls & Box Stores

Other Stores

Recreation & Leisure

Veterinary Clinics

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of southern, central, and eastern Ontario calling for potentially heavy rain on Wednesday night (December 23) and into Christmas Eve, followed by a chance of snow by Christmas Day.

Rain is forecast to begin tonight ahead of an approaching low pressure system. This rain will then continue into Thursday and become heavy at times.

Total rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm appear likely.

By Thursday evening or overnight, the rain is expected to change over to snow after the passage of a strong cold front.

A few centimetres of snowfall accumulation will be possible Thursday night through Friday morning.

There remains considerable uncertainty as to the exact track of this low pressure system and the timing of the changeover from rain to snow. This will ultimately affect how much snow may fall at any particular location.

Motorists should be prepared for deteriorating winter driving conditions in areas that receive snow on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

“Baby Shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo …”

Lubna Sadek, youth group facilitator at the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough, got to know the viral children’s hit song “Baby Shark” really well this summer.

She sang it every day when she visited newcomer families in isolation online and in person.

“Baby Shark is a song about bringing families together, helping them stay connected especially when they feel alone,” Sadek says. “As it turns out, it is a favourite among newcomer children as it helps them learn language. And it makes them really happy when they sing it.”

VIDEO: “Together, even when we’re apart” – New Canadians Centre

Staying together when we’re asked to keep apart is a challenge for everyone, but especially for people from other countries who now call Canada home.

Through the generous support of the community, the New Canadians Centre — a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers in the Peterborough and Northumberland regions — has been able to move forward during the pandemic with programs for newcomers and refugees to keep them connected and to develop language and skills for success.

The centre’s long-standing women’s group, which includes women from all over the world who have made their home in Peterborough and have developed strong friendships, has moved online. New Canadians Centre staff deliver kits so the women can continue to meet weekly and bond over crafts and baking. These are important connections that support both language learning and a sense of belonging among newcomers.

Newcomer youth also continue to connect online to explore opportunities for education and employment and to develop the skills they need to be successful.

Over the summer, the New Canadians Centre’s newcomer youth group hosted Instagram Live sessions each week, providing an opportunity for youth to come together and engage in activities from painting to yoga to baking and online games.

Also over the summer, thanks to community support, New Canadians Centre staff delivered care packages of food staples and drawings and letters to migrant farm workers, letting them know that the community is grateful for all they do.

VIDEO: Steve and Ibrahim on Instagram Live – New Canadians Centre

Community support has also helped newcomer women step up during the pandemic, sewing caps and masks for frontline healthcare workers at a crucial time and putting to good use the skills they have developed from sewing training.

It’s clear that a gift to the New Canadians Centre impacts the lives of many people in our community.

“Because of your ongoing generosity, newcomer families are not isolated,” Sadek says. “They are hopeful. They are working towards their future.”

As Baby Shark joyfully sings when he is together again with all of his family, “Safe at Last, doo doo doo doo doo doo …”

“That’s what a gift to New Canadians Centre looks like,” Sadek says. “It’s how you can change lives when we are together, and even when we are apart.”

To help the New Canadians Centre continue to bring joy to newcomers and their families through these uncertain times, please consider making a gift this holiday season at nccpeterborough.ca/support-the-ncc/.

This story was developed in partnership with the New Canadians Centre.

Neil Young has just released a video of himself performing “Comes A Time” in an empty Coronation Hall in his childhood home of Omemee.

You can watch the video on the Neil Young Archives (NYA) website.

Young released the video as a promotion of his 2017 “Hometown” concert, also recorded in Omemee, which you can watch for free on NYA during the month of December.

“Coronation Hall in Omemee Ontario is a wonderful old theater,” Young writes on the website. “It holds many memories of my family, all together there in that little town. My dad played Coronation Hall once in a local show as my mother, my brother and I sat in the audience.”

While the 2017 concert — which was directed by Young’s wife Daryl Hannah — was a promotion for the release of Young’s record The Visitor, it was also a promotion for the launch of NYA.

“I was uncharacteristically nervous that night in 2017 playing Coronation Hall by myself for the first time and streaming to the world,” he writes.

“‘Hometown’ is now an NYA tradition, showing every year, right here throughout the holidays.”

Along with the “Hometown” concert, Young has made all of the NYA content — both music and films — free for everyone through to the end of December.

“I know this time of year is going to be hard for a lot us as we long to be with our loved ones,” Young writes.

“Our hearts go out to all of you. We send much love and a Coronation Hall quarantine ‘Comes A Time’.”