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Almost 25,000 Peterborough-area residents have now received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose

By Paul Rellinger -
Residents 80 years of age and older receiving their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine at the COVID-19 immunization clinic in Peterborough on March 21, 2021. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

With March trending to become the month with the highest number of new positive COVID-19 cases detected in the Peterborough region, the number of residents immunized with at least one vaccine dose is approaching the 25,000 mark.

During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Thursday (March 25), medical officer of health Dr. Rosanna Salvaterra reported 178 new positive cases in March to date, a figure that’s closing in on the 198 new cases reported in December.

Currently there are 55 active cases — the same as reported one week ago — but an additional 39 cases have been identified as a presumed variant of concern that is more transmissible and lethal, bringing that total to 165.

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Despite March being on track for the most new cases in a one-month period, the week-over-week numbers are trending downwards, from a high of 69 new cases for the week of March 1st to just 13 new cases detected this week as yesterday.

“We’re walking a bit of a tightrope right now,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “We’re trying to contain the outbreak and not to move into grey (lockdown), but we continue to see outbreaks being declared and we’re not getting that downward trend that we need in order to move to a colour (level) with less restrictions.”

Still, Dr. Salvaterra reported “great progress” is being made in terms of the local vaccination effort, noting 24,309 residents had received a first dose as of Thursday morning — an increase of 10,000 over the past week.

She also took a few moments to address ongoing public concerns with the AstraZeneca vaccine in light of “a lot of news coverage recently about its safety and effectiveness.”

“AstraZeneca protects very well against severe disease and hospitalization,” she said, noting investigations by highly respected health agencies both in Canada and abroad have concluded AstraZeneca “isn’t associated with an increase in overall risks of blood clotting.”

“There have been very rare cases of unusual blood clots accompanied by low levels of (clot inducing) platelets after a vaccination. The reported cases in Europe were almost all in women under the age of 55.”

“The safety and effectiveness of the COVID vaccines is very good,” she added. “The bottom line is because COVID-19 can be so serious and is so widespread, the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the risks of very rare side effects.”

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Staying with vaccines, Dr. Salvaterra acknowledged that some residents have travelled out of the region to get vaccinated at locations where it is more readily available, such as pharmacies in the GTA. With public health urging no travel out of the region, she’s asking residents “to be patient.”

“We have been assured that every health unit will have at least three pharmacies supplied with AstraZeneca,” she pointed out. “I do know we had some hiccups earlier this week as the province opened up the gates to people 75 plus.”

“We had an issue with getting all of our clinics included on the booking system, and people were being offered appointments in Cobourg or Belleville. If some people travelled for their vaccine, I apologize. We have vaccine here for them and appointments available.”

Dr. Salvaterra also addressed the concern of some people about the legitimacy of emails they have received for purpose of setting up a vaccination appointment. She said the emails are legitimate, terming them the “back door of the booking system.”

“It’s the way that we can actually curate lists and provide these lists to the clinic at PRHC to offer immunization,” she explained.

“That results in someone receiving an email from the PRHC clinic advising them that they can book an appointment. They are legitimate. It’s one of the ways we’re reaching other priority groups such as health care workers.”

Asked how she feels about the progress of the local vaccination effort, Dr. Salvaterra was blunt.

“I feel I need more vaccine. We could be doing more here if we had more vaccine. We certainly have the capacity. Our biggest issue is supply. I’ve asked for more. I just wished I had more vaccine. That’s how I feel.”

Meanwhile, the outbreak picture is a little less muddled, with outbreaks at the Severn Court Student Residence near Fleming College and Trent University’s Champlain College declared resolved, and the Section 22 containment orders put in place at both locations lifted, meaning those residing at both locations can again come and go more freely.

Outbreaks, however, remain declared at Trent University’s Gzowksi College (14 cases with 10 still active), Empress Gardens Retirement Residence (three cases), and The Brock Mission (one case).

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Still up for discussion one month after the Severn Court outbreak was declared is the laying of any charges in connection with it. Peterborough Police Services chief Scott Gilbert says a number of investigative challenges remain in play.

“The investigation is not bearing fruit at this time,” said Gilbert. “We have attempted one search warrant and that was refused by the judiciary for (confidential) medical information that is in the hands of Peterborough Public Health.”

“It’s a conversation I will have with Dr. Salvaterra and her staff if this persists. If that’s the case, we’ll have to hand it over to public health since they have the majority of the information that we’re unable to obtain through legal sources.”

“We’ve spoken to a number of students at the school (Fleming College),” Gilbert added. “They all insist, amazingly, that there were nine or less people at any of the parties (held February 20), or they have issues with recalling whether or not they were there. Hopefully their memory lapses don’t occur during final exams coming up in April.”

Peterborough Public Health’s catchment area of Peterborough city and county and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations remains at the ‘Red-Control’ level of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework — a more restrictive status that has been in place since March 8th.

Also commenting during Thursday’s media briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien, Peterborough County warden J. Murray Jones, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.

Police seek suspect in power tool theft at Lindsay business

By kawarthaNOW -
Kawartha Lakes police are seeking this suspect in a theft of power tools from a Lindsay business on March 22, 2021. (Police-supplied photos)

Kawartha Lakes police are looking for a suspect in a theft of power tools from a Lindsay business on Monday (March 22).

After employees at the Lindsay Street South business found empty boxes for Bosch power tools in store aisles, they reviewed video surveillance and observed a man remove a drill driver and an angle grinder from the boxes and conceal them under his jacket.

The man then left the store without paying for the items and fled in a vehicle (photos below). The licence plate of the vehicle is not visible in video surveillance.

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The store reported the theft to police on Tuesday morning.

The Kawartha Lakes Police Service is asking anyone who may have information about this incident to contact them at 705-324-5252.

If you wish to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.khcrimestoppers.com.

Kawartha Lakes police are seeking this vehicle driven by a suspect (pictured) in a theft of power tools from a Lindsay business on March 22, 2021. (Police-supplied photos)
Kawartha Lakes police are seeking this vehicle driven by a suspect (pictured) in a theft of power tools from a Lindsay business on March 22, 2021. (Police-supplied photos)

Virtual community forum advances UN sustainable development goals in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong

By kawarthaNOW -
On February 24 and 25, 2021, the Kawartha World Issues Centre and GreenUP hosted a community forum in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong to update and further develop the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the local level. More than 200 people, representing various communities, interests, and organizations, attended the forum via Zoom. (Screenshot: Shaelyn Wabegijig)

This is the final article in a three-part series about a community project to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s guest column is by Shaelyn Wabegijig, Algonquin youth, Coordinator, Kawartha World Issues Centre.

In part one, we explained what the SDGs are and how the Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) and GreenUP are working together to advance them locally. In part two, we interviewed members of the project’s Indigenous Leadership Action Team to discuss why Indigenous leadership is necessary for guiding our local process.

In part three below, we share the experience and outcome of a recent SDG community collaboration event.

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In February, KWIC and GreenUP hosted a two-day virtual community forum entitled ‘Centering Indigenous Leadership and Diverse Perspectives to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough’.

This event was designed to build upon the work of community members who came together two years prior, to identify five 2030 Agenda action areas for our region to focus on: Prioritizing Indigenous Leadership, No Poverty (SDG #1), Quality Education (SDG #4), Clean Water and Sanitization (SDG #6), and Climate Action (SDG #13).

For this latest gathering, community members assembled to deepen their understanding of how to advance the SDGs in a way that leaves no one behind and prioritizes Indigenous leadership. Collectively, Indigenous leadership was identified as critical to our local success.

As forum hosts, KWIC and GreenUP welcomed over 200 participants from near and far to work with the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough community in three interconnected workshops.

The Seven Grandfather Teachings (respect, love, truth, bravery, wisdom, generosity, humility, and honesty) guided the development and delivery of the February virtual community forum on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. (Graphic: Brianna Salmon)
The Seven Grandfather Teachings (respect, love, truth, bravery, wisdom, generosity, humility, and honesty) guided the development and delivery of the February virtual community forum on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. (Graphic: Brianna Salmon)

Each session began with an introduction to the Seven Grandfather Teachings, principles to guide the forum and how we would work together. These teachings are at the heart of local Indigenous ways of life — they are our blueprint on how to live a good, healthy life. They include wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth.

“I especially appreciated the fact that the event was guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings,” explains Anca Pascalau, coordinator of Sustainable Peterborough and a forum participant. “Respect, kindness, and inclusivity were evident throughout the three sessions, even in the Zoom chat section.”

In addition, workshops were framed by words offered by Michi Saagiig Elders and knowledge keepers. The intention of this gift was to ground the sessions in a good way, ensuring we worked together in a meaningful, grateful, and present mindset.

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Each workshop had a distinct focus. The first session contained a presentation by Indigenous consultants and the local SDG project Elder Advisor on looking at the past to guide the future. This was followed by a workshop in which participants worked together to identify groups that had not yet been included in the development of the local initiative.

In the second session, which opened with the Hiawatha drum group Michi Saagiig Manoomin, attendees heard from three speakers who spoke about why Indigenous leadership and an intersectional approach are central to leaving no one behind.

The first speaker of the evening was S.S. Ahmad, founder and CEO of Green Beacon, a social enterprise with the mission of localizing SDGs. Ahmad shared why empathy and a human-rights based focus is essential to advancing the SDGs.

"Clean Water and Sanitization" is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that is a priority for Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. For many Indigenous communities, clean water is not easily accessible. Until we address this, we are failing at ensuring a sustainable and healthy world for all. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)
“Clean Water and Sanitization” is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that is a priority for Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. For many Indigenous communities, clean water is not easily accessible. Until we address this, we are failing at ensuring a sustainable and healthy world for all. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)

Next we heard from Jaida Ponce, a Kichi Siibi Anishinabe-Kwe from Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. Ponce, who works with the Oshkwazin Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, shared stories that explained the need for strong and open relationships and communication between settler institutions and Indigenous communities.

The third speaker was Dr. Alan Corbiere, a well-respected Anishinaabe historian and teacher from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Dr. Corbiere explained how Indigenous knowledge and language can help us to better understand and advance our sustainability goals.

The final session of the forum featured the local ‘No Poverty’, ‘Quality Education’, ‘Clean Water and Sanitization’, and ‘Climate Action’ action teams. Team chairs shared how the focus areas are being localized to ensure outcomes relevant to Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

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Throughout the forum, presentations and discussions underscored the interconnectedness of the local SDGs.

“In my community, our biggest conversation is about clean water,” explained Chief Emily Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation, in her opening welcome. “It has become a struggle in the last hundred years and has been amplified by the pandemic.”

“Long term, we have a goal to protect and preserve lands where our traditions, ceremonies and relationships can be practised; where we can exercise our ability to be caretakers of our land and remove the paternalistic system imposed upon us.”

Like this spider web, all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected. They work together to ensure peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. (Photo: Leif Einarson)
Like this spider web, all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected. They work together to ensure peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. (Photo: Leif Einarson)

Chief Whetung’s powerful words infer how clean water (SDG #6) is inseparable from climate change (SDG #13), and the historic and ongoing injustices that have pushed many Indigenous communities into poverty (SDG #1). In the presentations that followed, it became clear that quality education (SDG #4) is central to the fulfillment of the other local SDGs.

Interconnectedness is a recurring theme in this project. The action teams are aware of how the local SDGs and all 17 UN SDGs are related; one cannot be achieved without the others. Locally, we believe that the steps we take in our community will ripple out into the world in a good way.

By the end of the forum, the urgent need to reach our goals was evident. We have nine years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda — there is much important work to be done.

The project team would like to offer our sincerest thank you to the organizers, partners, team members, volunteers, speakers, funders, leaders, and event participants who helped bring this memorable event together. We look forward to seeing what comes next!

To keep up-to-date on the local SDGs initiative, visit the KWIC and GreenUP websites.

Drive-in concert series at Peterborough Memorial Centre planned for the summer

By Paul Rellinger -
Following a pilot project last fall that saw The Sheepdogs and three other bands perform at two drive-in concerts in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot, plans are in the works for six more drive-in concerts to be staged in summer 2021, with Showplace Performance Centre and Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on board to assist with programming. (Photo: Kate O'Neill)

What was called “an unknown” last fall has progressed into an initiative to stage a series of drive-in live music concerts this summer in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot.

With Peterborough city council having tentatively approved the $75,000 cost for an outdoor stage, Memorial Centre facility manager Jeremy Giles is moving forward with plans to stage six concerts starting in June into August.

Buoying Giles’ optimism for their success is last September’s pilot project staging of two drive-in concerts featuring The Sheepdogs and The Jim Cuddy Band, followed the next night by Tim Hicks and Jason McCoy. Both shows were presented in the Memorial Centre parking lot west adjacent to the arena east of Roger Neilson Way.

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With specific dates and acts for the series a work in progress, Giles says more details will be announced in April. The ticket cost for each show will vary, based on the acts performing.

According to a staff report, the city could break even financially on its outlay by recovering monies spent through ticket sales, sponsorships, and redirection of dollars normally spent to the benefit of venues and arts organizations. It’s estimated that each of the six shows would cost $35,000 to stage, when expenses such as artist fees and security are added to the bill.

“The exercise isn’t to generate a bunch of revenue but it’s certainly not to be run at a deficit either,” says Giles, noting event partnerships with Showplace Performance Centre and Market Hall Performing Arts Centre have been secured with other liaisons being explored that may lead to additional shows.

“It’s a community approach to getting live venues back to offering programming,” Giles says. “It’s a chance for groups that have been severely impacted (by COVID-19 restrictions) to get back to a little bit more normal business for them.”

Vehicles gather in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot for a drive-in concert series held in September 2020, which saw The Sheepdogs with The Jim Cuddy Band perform on a Friday night followed by Tim Hicks with Jason McCoy the following night. (Photo: Kate O'Neill)
Vehicles gather in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot for a drive-in concert series held in September 2020, which saw The Sheepdogs with The Jim Cuddy Band perform on a Friday night followed by Tim Hicks with Jason McCoy the following night. (Photo: Kate O’Neill)

Showplace general manager Emily Martin says the downtown venue’s involvement in the drive-in concert series simply makes good sense.

“We rely on the local community and local artists and local production companies to help us do what we do, so it’s a great opportunity to be able to give back by tying in local artists and production companies with what the Memorial Centre wants to do,” says Martin, adding what the partnership will specifically look like is a work in progress.

“So much of what I’ve been doing the last year is a lot of advocacy and looking at rules and regulations, so the opportunity to actually be planning an event is kind of nice. I’m grateful to the city for inviting us to take part.”

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Of note, says Martin, working together with Market Hall general manager Chad Hogan isn’t a strange animal.

“We’re good friends. We bounce ideas off each other. We share information. We’ve shared resources and even done shows together. Being able to open that relationship up and include the Memorial Centre is amazing.”

For his part, Hogan says “We want to be at the table providing assistance and input,” adding “We’re all part of the same community. I’d rather be part of it than on the sidelines.”

Like Martin, he says what’s notable about an initiative like this is the optimism it spawns.

“Part of making it through this (the pandemic) is optimism. There have certainly been times over the past 12 months that have been bleak, but we’re still standing.”

Jim Cuddy performing at a drive-in concert in in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. (Photo: Kate O'Neill)
Jim Cuddy performing at a drive-in concert in in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. (Photo: Kate O’Neill)

Like Showplace, Market Hall is also a non-profit organizations that receives some financial support from the city. As such, Market Hall has “a bit of a duty to deliver something,” says Hogan,” adding “Truth be told, we’d be involved with it regardless. We’re all raring to go and want to do what we do — deliver programming.”

He too says the real value lies in the opportunity to create work for artists, sound and lighting technicians, and other live event staff typically affiliated with indoor shows.

Terming feedback from last September’s concerts “really positive,” Giles says their staging was an attempt to salvage something good from what was a devastating year.

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Pandemic restrictions saw the Memorial Centre lose seven large-scale live events, including sold-out concerts by Alice Cooper and The Glorious Sons. Also cancelled were two monster truck shows, and all the Peterborough Petes and Peterborough Lakers games.

“The purpose to our existence is having people in the venue,” says Giles, now in his fifth year with the Memorial Centre following seven years with the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa.

“Having it shuttered and the lights off is not our mandate. It’s not what gets us out of bed in the morning. Contacting thousands of people and refunding their money isn’t our normal line of work. It was tough.”

The outdoor stage in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. Jim Cuddy performing at a drive-in concert in in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. (Photo: Kate O'Neill)
The outdoor stage in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. Jim Cuddy performing at a drive-in concert in in the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot in September 2020. (Photo: Kate O’Neill)

Pursuing the drive-in concert model, notes Giles, is “recognition” that it’s unlikely the Memorial Centre will able to welcome patrons — be they sports or live music fans — back inside any time soon.

“We don’t expect any programming inside before the mass vaccination is done, which is projected for September,” Giles says.

“Realistically, I don’t expect we’ll be inside in September either,” he says. “This is a way for us to get some people back to work and get our community back to shows but being able to do so in a safe environment.”

“If you look at the (provincial government’s) reopening framework, even if Peterborough was in the green zone, we couldn’t do more than 100 people at any event unless it’s in a drive-in format where the same gathering limits don’t apply.”

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Giles adds the big difference now from a year ago is our collective knowledge and awareness of what steps are required to stay safe.

“Last year at this time people were afraid to go to the grocery store, where now you wear your mask and you wash your hands and you keep your distance,” he says.

“I think people are now more willing to come out to drive-in type shows. When the time comes that we do get back inside, it’ll be interesting to see what the mindset of people is. Maybe this drive-in format will exist for a while along with the traditional formats that we know. Certain people will be banging down the doors and certain people will be waiting.”

While the 2021 status of familiar and popular live music events like Peterborough Musicfest and the Havelock Jamboree remains undetermined at this point, Giles says drive-in concerts will fill help fill the void that last summer saw.

That said, he notes, there’s another benefit.

“What we did last September was a give-back to the community. It improved the quality of life for people during a tough time. This is step one of any recovery but it’s something to look forward to.”

Martin concurs, saying “There’s some definite optimism and excitement in the air.”

“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. We’re going to come back strong. We’ll be here for the community as soon as we get the green light to go.”

Ontario reports 1,571 new COVID-19 cases, including 10 in greater Kawarthas region

By kawarthaNOW -

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

Ontario is reporting 1,571 new cases today, with the seven-day average of daily cases increasing by 9 to 1,676. The province is also reporting 30 more confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 UK variant, 3 more cases of the of B.1.351 South Africa variant, and 10 more cases of the P.1 Brazilian variant.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 10 new cases to report and an additional 8 cases resolved, with the number of active cases across the region increasing by 1 to 88. See below for detailed numbers from each regional health unit.

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Most of today’s new cases are in Toronto (459), Peel (309), and York (143).

There are double-digit increases in Ottawa (89), Durham (86), Hamilton (84), Thunder Bay (47), Waterloo (47), Niagara (41), Middlesex-London (39), Halton (28), Sudbury (27), Simcoe Muskoka (25), Eastern Ontario (20), Leeds, Grenville & Lanark (20), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (17), Windsor-Essex (16), Chatham-Kent (12), and Haldimand-Norfolk (12), with smaller increases in Peterborough (9), Lambton (9), Southwestern (7), Brant (7), and Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (6).

The remaining 10 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 3 health units reporting no new cases at all.

Of today’s new cases, 58% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (579) among people ages 20-39 followed by 422 cases among people ages 40-59.

With 1,531 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases is unchanged at 93.3%. The average positivity rate across Ontario has decreased by 1.9% from yesterday to 3.8%, meaning that 38 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on March 23.

Ontario is reporting 10 new COVID-19 deaths today, with no new deaths in long-term care homes. Ontario has averaged 11 new daily deaths over the past week (no change from yesterday).

Hospitalizations continue to increase, with 25 new hospitalizations yesterday for a total of 893. The number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs has increased by 9 to 333 and the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators has increased by 17 to 210.

A total of 51,962 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation increasing by 7,660 to 38,985.

A total of 1,676,150 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 72,451 from yesterday, with 302,664 people fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, an increase of 1,621 from yesterday. The number of fully vaccinated people represents 2.05% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.01% from yesterday.

There are 257 new cases in Ontario schools, a decrease of 152 from yesterday, including 209 student cases, 47 staff cases, and 1 case of an unidentified person. There are 74 new cases in licensed child care settings in Ontario, a decrease of 18 from yesterday, including 49 cases among children and 25 cases among staff.

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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 10 new cases to report, including 7 in Peterborough, 1 in Northumberland, 1 in Haliburton, and 1 in Hastings Prince Edward. There are no new cases in Kawartha Lakes.

There are 3 new regional cases of presumed variants of concern, including 2 in Northumberland and 1 in Hastings Prince Edward.

An additional 8 cases have been resolved, including 6 in Peterborough and 2 in Kawartha Lakes. Outbreaks at Severn Court Student Residence in Peterborough and Champlain College residence at Trent University in Peterborough have been resolved.

There are currently 88 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, an increase of 1 from yesterday, including 55 in Peterborough, 11 in Northumberland, 8 in Haliburton, 7 in Kawartha Lakes, and 7 in Hastings Prince Edward (1 in Quinte West, 2 in Belleville, 1 in Prince Edward County, 2 in Central Hastings, and 1 in North Hastings).

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 828 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (763 resolved with 10 deaths), 567 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (518 resolved with 55 deaths), 480 in Northumberland County (457 resolved with 12 deaths), 67 in Haliburton County (58 resolved with 1 death), and 444 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (431 resolved with 6 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on March 16.

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

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Peterborough Public Health

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

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

Confirmed positive: 828 (increase of 6)*
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 1 (no change)
Presumed variants of concern cases: 165 (decrease of 1)
Active cases: 55 (no change)
Close contacts: 200 (decrease of 8)
Deaths: 10 (no change)
Resolved: 763 (increase of 6)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 29 (no change)**
Total tests completed: Over 45,650 (no change)
Outbreaks: Unidentified congregate living facility in Peterborough, Gzowski College student residence at Trent University, Empress Gardens retirement home in Peterborough (decrease of 2)***
Vaccine doses administered: 13,911 (last updated on March 18)

*The health unit is reporting 7 new cases in the last 24 hours, with 1 case removed from a previous day for a total increase of 6 cases.

**As of March 24, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting fewer than 5 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change) and 20 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).

***Outbreaks at Severn Court Student Residence in Peterborough and Champlain College residence at Trent University in Peterborough have been resolved.

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

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

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

Confirmed positive: 1,114, including 567 in Kawartha Lakes, 480 in Northumberland, and 67 in Haliburton (increase of 2, including 1 in Northumberland and 1 in Haliburton)*
Cases with N501Y mutation: 45, including 8 in Kawartha Lakes, 36 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (increase of 2 in Northumberland)**
Active cases: 26, including 7 in Kawartha Lakes, 11 in Northumberland, and 8 in Haliburton (no net change)
Probable cases: 0 (no change)
High-risk contacts: 185, including 34 in Kawartha Lakes, 78 in Northumberland, and 58 in Haliburton (net decrease of 4)***
Hospitalizations (total to date): 49, including 29 in Kawartha Lakes, 17 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (no change)****
Deaths (including among probable cases): 68, including 55 in Kawartha Lakes, 12 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change)
Resolved: 1,033, including 518 in Kawartha Lakes, 457 in Northumberland, 58 in Haliburton (increase of 2 in Kawartha Lakes)
Tests completed: 158,241 (no change)
Vaccine doses administered: 15,788 (no change)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 2,283 (no change)
Outbreaks: Hyland Crest long-term care home in Minden, St. Michael Catholic Elementary School in Cobourg (no change)

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

**The N501Y mutation has been identified in variants of concern including the B.1.1.7 UK variant, the B.1.351 South Africa variant, and the P.1 Brazilian variant.

***This total includes an additional 23 high-risk contacts directly followed up through the Public Health Ontario contact tracing process that are missing the contacts’ county.

****As of March 24, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 1 patient hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change)).

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

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

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

Confirmed positive: 444 (increase of 1)
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 9 (increase of 1)
Active cases: 7 (increase of 1)
Deaths: 6 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change)
Resolved: 431 (no change)
Tests completed: 79,210 (increase of 211)
Vaccine doses administered: 22,149 (increase of 1,331)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 1,896 (increase of 1)
Outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 333,690 (increase of 1,571)
COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) confirmed cases: 1,389 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 30); 50 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (increase of 3); 47 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 10)
VOC R(t): 1.28 (increase of 0.01 as of March 20)*
7-day average of daily new cases: 1,676 (increase of 9)
Resolved: 311,380 (increase of 1,531), 93.3% of all cases (no change)
Positivity rate: 3.8% (decrease of 1.9%)
Hospitalizations: 893 (increase of 25)
Hospitalizations in ICU: 333 (increase of 9)
Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 210 (increase of 17)
Deaths: 7,263 (increase of 10)
7-day average of daily new deaths: 11 (no change)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,892 (no change)
Total tests completed: 12,198,355 (increase of 51,962)
Tests under investigation: 38,985 (increase of 7,660)
Vaccination doses administered: 1,676,150 (increase of 72,451)
People fully vaccinated (two doses): 302,664 (increase of 1,621), 2.05% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.01%, est. 70-90% required for herd immunity)

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

COVID-19 cases in Ontario from February 21 - March 23, 2021. 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 cases in Ontario from February 21 – March 23, 2021. 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 February 21 - March 23, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from February 21 – March 23, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from February 21 - March 23, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day moving average of is a five-day moving average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from February 21 – March 23, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day moving average of is a five-day moving average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from February 21 - March 23, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from February 21 – March 23, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from February 21 - March 23, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from February 21 – March 23, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

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

What’s new on Netflix Canada in April 2021

By kawarthaNOW -
The Netflix action comedy film "Thunder Force" starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer as recently reunited childhood best friends who develop superpowers in a world where supervillains are commonplace. It premieres on Netflix on Friday, April 9th. (Photo: Netflix)

Every month, kawarthaNOW is the only local media source to bring you a list of what’s coming to Netflix Canada.

For the first full month of spring, Netflix is upping its original films, series, and documentaries while offering the usual mix of TV series and previously released films.

Highlights in April include the Netflix action comedy film Thunder Force, starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer as two estranged childhood best friends who reunite after one devises a treatment that gives them superpowers of strength and invisibility in a world where supervillains are commonplace. Thunder Force premieres on Friday, April 9th.

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There’s also the Netflix drama Concrete Cowboy, starring Caleb McLaughlin as a troubled teen spending the summer in North Philadelphia caught between a life of crime and his estranged father’s (Idris Elba) vibrant urban-cowboy subculture. Based on the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Gregory Neri, Concrete Cowboy premieres on Friday, April 2nd.

The Netflix original series The Serpent, also premiering on April 2nd, is inspired by real-life serial conman and killer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim), who preyed on travellers exploring the “hippie trail” of South Asia in the 1970s. The eight-episode crime drama series tells the story of the remarkable attempts to bring Sobhraj to justice.

The new Netflix original series Shadow and Bone premieres on Friday April 23rd. Based on the Grishaverse fantasy adventure novels by American author Leigh Bardugo, the eight-episode series tells the story of orphan Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) who unleashes an extraordinary power that could set her country free in a war-torn world.

VIDEO: “Thunder Force” official trailer

Other Netflix films include Just Say Yes, Run, and Sky High (Apr. 2), Night in Paradise (Apr. 9), Love and Monsters (Apr. 14), Why Are You Like This (Apr. 16), Things Heard & Seen (Apr. 29).

Other Netflix original series include The Wedding Coach (Apr. 7), Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! and Law School (Apr. 14), Zero (Apr. 21), Fatma (Apr. 27), Sexify (Apr. 28), and The Innocent and Pet Stars (Apr. 30).

Netflix documentaries include Worn Stories (Apr. 1), Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute and This Is A Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist (Apr. 7), My Love: Six Stories of True Love (Apr. 13), Why Did You Kill Me? (Apr. 14), Life in Color with David Attenborough (Apr. 22), and Headspace Guide to Sleep (Apr. 28).

VIDEO: “The Serpent” official trailer

Returning Netflix original series include season two of Magical Andes and season two of Prank Encounters (Apr. 1), part three of Family Reunion (Apr. 5), season three of Mighty Express (Apr. 13), season two of The Circle (Apr. 14), season two of Luis Miguel – The Series (Apr. 18), and season two of The Unremarkable Juanquini (Apr. 30).

Other returning series include season seven of The Flash and season seven of PAW Patrol (Apr. 1), season three of PJ Masks (Apr. 27)

Theatrically released films include 300, Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion, Cold Pursuit, Crank, Crank 2: High Voltage, Green Book, Grindhouse: Death Proof, Grindhouse: Planet Terror, Happy Death Day 2U, In the Line of Fire, The Last Exorcism, Urban Legend, and Watchmen (all on Apr. 1), Amazing Grace (Apr. 2), Escape from Planet Earth (Apr. 3), What Lies Below (Apr. 4), Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Elizabeth, Fried Green Tomatoes, Leap Year, Liar Liar, and Ray (all on Apr. 7), Words on Bathroom Walls (Apr. 8), The Stand-In (Apr. 10), Diana: The Interview that Shook the World (Apr. 11), Teen Spirit (Apr. 12), Godzilla: King of the Monsters and The Intruder (Apr. 13), The 2nd (Apr. 16), The Gift and Ocean’s Eleven (Apr. 20), The Prodigy (Apr. 23), and Greta (Apr. 26).

VIDEO: New to Netflix Canada in April 2021

Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in April along with what’s leaving.

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Coming in April (no release date specified)

  • The Disciple (Netflix film) – Self-doubt, sacrifice, and struggle converge into an existential crisis for a devoted classical vocalist as the mastery he strives for remains elusive.
  • Searching For Sheela (Netflix documentary) – Journalists and fans await Ma Anand Sheela as the infamous former Rajneesh commune’s spokesperson returns to India after decades for an interview tour.

 

Thursday, April 1

  • Magical Andes: Season 2 (Netflix documentary) – Crossing and uniting seven countries in South America, the Andes always have another landscape, adventure and story to tell. Discover them all.
  • Prank Encounters: Season 2 (Netflix original) – Host Gaten Matarazzo pulls the strings on a new season of elaborate pranks involving everything from haunted mansions to ancient burial grounds. Yikes!
  • Tersanjung the Movie (Netflix film) – After growing up in a tumultuous household, Yura finds herself in a love triangle with two close friends as she faces a personal and financial crisis.
  • Worn Stories (Netflix documentary) – In this funny, heartfelt and moving docuseries, real people unpack the fascinating and quirky stories around their most meaningful pieces of clothing.
  • 300
  • Alita: Battle Angel
  • Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion
  • Breakaway
  • Cold Pursuit
  • Crank
  • Crank 2: High Voltage
  • Dating Amber
  • Glass
  • Green Book
  • Grindhouse: Death Proof
  • Grindhouse: Planet Terror
  • Happy Death Day 2U
  • In the Line of Fire
  • Love Don’t Cost a Thing
  • Margin Call
  • PAW Patrol: Season 7
  • Racetime!
  • Shoot ‘Em Up
  • The Eagle
  • The Flash: Season 7
  • The Last Exorcism
  • The New Guy
  • Urban Legend
  • Watchmen

 

Friday, April 2

  • Amazing Grace
  • Concrete Cowboy (Netflix film) – While spending the summer in North Philadelphia, a troubled teen is caught between a life of crime and his estranged father’s vibrant urban-cowboy subculture.
  • Just Say Yes (Netflix film) – Incurable romantic Lotte finds her life upended when her plans for a picture-perfect wedding unravel — just as her self-absorbed sister gets engaged.
  • Madame Claude (Netflix film) – In 1960s Paris, Madame Claude’s influence extends beyond the world of sex work – until an affluent young woman threatens to change everything.
  • Run (Netflix film) – Desiring freedom after years of isolated medical care, teenager Chloe suspects her mother might be holding her back — and harbouring sinister secrets.
  • The Serpent (Netflix original) – In the 1970s, merciless killer Charles Sobhraj preys on travellers exploring the “hippie trail” of South Asia. Based on shocking true events.
  • Sky High (Netflix film) – After falling for Estrella, Ángel, a mechanic from the Madrid suburbs, dives into a world of heists and becomes the target of a relentless detective.

 

Saturday, April 3

  • Escape from Planet Earth
  • High Life

 

Sunday, April 4

  • What Lies Below

 

Monday, April 5

  • Coded Bias
  • Family Reunion: Part 3 (Netflix family) – The McKellans may be tight on funds, but the family’s never lacking in love as they power through heartache, loss and adversity of all kinds this season.

 

Tuesday, April 6

  • The Last Kids on Earth: Happy Apocalypse to You (Netflix family) – Help Jack and his monster-battling friends make choices to stay alive — and have some fun — in this interactive “Last Kids on Earth” adventure!

 

Wednesday, April 7

  • The Big Day: Collection 2 (Netflix original) – Time-honoured customs marry with contemporary values — and of course, couture outfits — in this celebration of six more larger-than-life Indian weddings.
  • Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute (Netflix documentary) – In a star-studded evening of music and memories, a community of iconic performers honour Dolly Parton as the MusiCares Person of the Year.
  • Snabba Cash (Netflix original) – The lives of an ambitious businesswoman, a charming gang enforcer and a troubled teen collide amidst a desperate — and sinister — pursuit of wealth.
  • This Is A Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist (Netflix documentary) – In 1990, two men dressed as cops con their way into a Boston museum and steal a fortune in art. Take a deep dive into this daring and notorious crime.
  • The Wedding Coach (Netflix original) – Bridesmaids and in-laws and mason jars, oh my! Weddings are a beautiful cause for celebration, but planning one is far from a party. After barely making it down the aisle of her own wedding, comedian Jamie Lee is on a hilarious, heartwarming mission to help six engaged couples overcome the stressful real-life challenges that pop up before and on The Big Day.
  • Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
  • Elizabeth
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Hop
  • Leap Year
  • Liar Liar
  • Missing Link
  • Pride & Prejudice (2005)
  • Ray
  • Ride Along
  • This Is 40
  • Wild Child

 

Thursday, April 8

  • The Way of the Househusband (Netflix anime) – After disappearing from the underworld, the legendary yakuza Tatsu, “the Immortal Dragon,” resurfaces — as a fiercely devoted stay-at-home husband.

 

Friday, April 9

  • Have You Ever Seen Fireflies? (Netflix film) – Rebellious, irreverent wunderkind Gülseren navigates loneliness, love and loss against the current of political turmoil and social change.
  • Night in Paradise (Netflix film) – Hiding out in Jeju Island following a brutal tragedy, a wronged mobster with a target on his back connects with a woman who has her own demons.
  • Thunder Force (Netflix film) – Two childhood best friends reunite as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo when one invents a formula that gives ordinary people superpowers.
  • Words on Bathroom Walls
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Saturday, April 10

  • The Stand-In

 

Sunday, April 11

  • Diana: The Interview that Shook the World

 

Monday, April 12

  • New Gods: Nezha Reborn (Netflix film) – While living as an ordinary deliveryman and motor racing fan, Ne Zha encounters old nemeses and must rediscover his powers to protect his loved ones.
  • Teen Spirit

 

Tuesday, April 13

  • The Baker and the Beauty: Season 1
  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters
  • Mighty Express: Season 3 (Netflix family) – The strong and fast Mighty Express trains are always ready to save the day with more heroic rescues and thrilling stunts throughout Tracksville!
  • My Love: Six Stories of True Love (Netflix documentary) – Six longtime couples in different parts of the world share their decades-long love in these tender portraits filmed over the course of one year.

 

Wednesday, April 14

  • The Circle: Season 2 (Netflix original) – Ready for more strategic shenanigans? A new cast of allies, enemies and not-so-subtle catfish connect and compete for a major cash prize.
  • Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! (Netflix original) – Brian Dixon knows how important family is. When his teenage daughter comes to live with him, he enlists the help of his Pops, sister, and best friend to tackle teenage boys, TikTok, and the family business.
  • The Intruder
  • Law School (Netflix original) – When a grim incident occurs at their prestigious school, justice through law is put to a test by a tough law professor and his ambitious students.
  • Love and Monsters (Netflix film) – Seven years after he survived the monster apocalypse, lovably hapless Joel leaves his cozy underground bunker behind on a quest to reunite with his ex.
  • The Soul (Netflix film) – While investigating the death of a businessman, a prosecutor and his wife uncover occult secrets as they face their own life-and-death dilemma.
  • Why Did You Kill Me? (Netflix documentary) – The line between justice and revenge blurs when a devastated family uses social media to track down the people who killed 24-year-old Crystal Theobald.

 

Thursday, April 15

  • Ride or Die (Netflix film) – Rei helps the woman she’s been in love with for years escape her abusive husband. While on the run, their feelings for each other catch fire.

 

Friday, April 16

  • The 2nd
  • Arlo the Alligator Boy (Netflix family) – To find the father he never knew, optimistic Arlo leaves his swampy Southern home for New York City, making friends and dodging trappers along the way.
  • Ajeeb Daastaans (Netflix film) – Four shorts explore the surprising ways in which unexpected catalysts inflame the uncomfortable emotions simmering under fractured relationships.
  • Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 4: Mexico (Netflix family) – When the Spy Racers are framed for a crime they didn’t commit, they flee to Mexico to clear their name and uncover a new evil scheme.
  • Into the Beat (Netflix film) – A teen ballerina discovers hip-hop by chance and is faced with an impossible choice: Does she follow her parents’ footsteps … or her newfound passion?
  • Why Are You Like This (Netflix original) – Three best friends negotiate work, fun, identity politics, hookups and wild nights out in this razor-sharp satire of millennial life in Melbourne.

 

Sunday, April 18

  • Luis Miguel – The Series: Season 2 (Netflix original) – As his career skyrockets, Luis Miguel struggles with his family life amidst a string of betrayals, heartbreaking revelations and a crushing loss.

 

Tuesday, April 20

  • The Gift
  • Izzy’s Koala World: Season 2 (Netflix family) – When a koala needs help, Izzy Bee and her family are there — and with Australia’s extreme fires taking a toll, their care is needed now more than ever!
  • Ocean’s Eleven

 

Wednesday, April 21

  • Zero (Netflix original) – A shy teen with the extraordinary power to turn invisible joins the fight to defend his neighbourhood despite wanting to escape to pursue his dream.
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Thursday, April 22

  • Life in Color with David Attenborough (Netflix documentary) – Premiering this Earth Day, in a stunning new three-part series, David Attenborough travels the world from the rainforests of Costa Rica to the snowy Scottish Highlands to reveal the extraordinary and never-before-seen ways animals use colour. Using revolutionary camera technology created specifically for this series, viewers will experience how colours invisible to the human eye play a vital role in animal interactions. From the seemingly magical ultraviolet signals on a butterfly’s wings to the surprising yet crucial purpose behind a Bengal tiger’s stripes, a hidden world of colour is waiting to be discovered.

 

Friday, April 23

  • The Prodigy
  • Shadow and Bone (Netflix original) – Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world.
  • Tell Me When (Netflix film) – Workaholic Will puts his humdrum life in LA on hold to fulfill his grandpa’s last wish: visiting Mexico City’s most iconic sights and falling in love.

 

Sunday, April 25

  • RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race: Season 1

 

Monday, April 26

  • Greta

 

Tuesday, April 27

  • Fatma (Netflix original) – Fatma (35), an ordinary cleaning lady, commits an unexpected murder while searching for her missing husband, Zafer, who was just released from jail. Zafer’s dodgy underground associates soon find out what she did, and the only way for her to survive in this man’s world is to continue killing. She gets away with it too — since no one takes her to be more than an ordinary cleaner, she becomes an invisible killer. In the end, murder becomes a release for the years of struggle and grief that she had repressed, and a new part of her identity she must confront.
  • Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 4 (Netflix family) – Whether helping out his friends or making new ones with sister Chrissy, Cory is always on the move and ready for any adventure that comes his way!
  • PJ Masks: Season 3

 

Wednesday, April 28

  • Sexify (Netflix original) – While working to create a sex app, a young woman and her friends set out to explore the world of intimacy and learn about themselves in the process.
  • Headspace Guide to Sleep (Netflix documentary) – Learn all about sleep, your relationship with it, and how to build healthy habits for a more restful night in Headspace Guide to Sleep. Over the course of seven animated episodes, Headspace Director of Meditation and Mindfulness teacher, Eve Lewis Prieto, reveals the science behind a healthy night’s sleep and provides tips on how to get the best sleep you’ve ever had. Each fifteen minute episode explores a different aspect of our relationship with sleep—such as insomnia, stress, our phones, and even sleeping pills—followed by a guided wind down designed to help you on your journey to a better sleep. Headspace Guide to Sleep is the second of three series with Headspace and Vox Media Studios including Headspace Guide to Meditation, which is now streaming, and an upcoming interactive experience.

 

Thursday, April 29

  • Things Heard & Seen (Netflix film) – A Manhattan couple moves to a historic hamlet in the Hudson Valley and come to discover that their marriage has a sinister darkness, one that rivals their new home’s history. Based on the acclaimed novel by Elizabeth Brundage.
  • Yasuke (Netflix anime) – He came from Africa and fought alongside a mighty feudal lord in brutal 16th century Japan. They called him the Black Samurai, and he became a legend.

 

Friday, April 30

  • Fighting with My Family
  • The Innocent (Netflix original) – An accidental killing leads a man down a dark hole of intrigue and murder. Just as he finds love and freedom, one phone call brings back the nightmare.
  • The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Netflix family) – From the humans who brought you the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and The LEGO Movie comes The Mitchells vs. The Machines, an animated action-comedy about an ordinary family who find themselves in the middle of their biggest family challenge yet — saving the world from the robot apocalypse. No big deal, right? It all starts when creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people,” when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last totally-not-awkward-or-forced road trip. But just when the trip can’t get any worse, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of the robot uprising! Everything from smart phones, to roombas, to evil Furbys are employed to capture every human on the planet. Now it’s up to the Mitchells, including upbeat mom Linda, quirky little brother Aaron, their squishy pug, Monchi, and two friendly, but simple-minded robots to save humanity.
  • Pet Stars (Netflix original) – Follow talent management company Pets on Q as they work with the biggest animal influencers on social media in this reality series.
  • The Unremarkable Juanquini: Season 2 (Netflix original) – The Morales and the Orduz families are in a sticky situation under the same roof. But Captain González is on to them, no matter where they hide.

 

Leaving Netflix Canada in April

Tuesday, April 6

  • Happy Gilmore

Sunday, April 11

  • Shrek Forever After
  • Shrek the Third

Monday, April 12

  • Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Sunday, April 18

  • Just Friends

Friday, April 30

  • Kingdom: Seasons 1-3

 

All titles and dates are subject to change.

Multi-generational project inspires newcomers to discover Peterborough and Canada through photography

By Alvea Hurlington -
In partnership with the SPARK Photo Festival, the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough created a multi-generational photography project to inspire newcomers to explore and connect with Canadian culture, language, and the environment through hands-on photographic instruction and activity. Pictured is a photograph by Ghofran Al Hamwi, a participant in the Newcomer Youth Photo Project. (Photo: Ghofran Al Hamwi)

Like many people around the world in 2015, Robert Boudreau was overcome with emotion with the single image of young Syrian Alan Kurdi.

“I decided there has got to be something I can do to help immigrants in the community,” said Robert, the former director of Peterborough’s SPARK Photo Festival and a long-time volunteer with the New Canadians Centre (NCC). He began to inquire about the possibilities of a photography program for newcomers to help them tell their stories.

With much excitement and anticipation, in July 2016, NCC partnered with the SPARK Photo Festival to launch the first level of a newcomer photography program.

A photo by Ibrahim, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Children's Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. (Photo: Ibrahim)
A photo by Ibrahim, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Children’s Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. (Photo: Ibrahim)

The first group was focused on children. Each child, ranging in ages eight to 13, was loaned a camera and invited back each month to share their photographs and receive some instruction on photography skills. After a successful set of classes and a beautiful gallery of photos on exhibit at the 2017 SPARK Photo Festival, NCC decided to continue their pilot program with a group of high school participants.

Starting in July of 2017, a dozen students between the ages of 14 and 18 came together for workshops and photography fun. Once again, the students thrived, and their artwork hung proudly at the SPARK Photo Festival in April 2018.

In the last iteration of the project, the newcomer adults and seniors level found 10 participants pouring their hearts into their cameras. Unfortunately, this group had their planned exhibit in April 2020 interrupted by COVID-19.

A photo by Douaa Falah, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Youth Photography Project, which began in September 2017 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2018. (Photo: Douaa Falah)
A photo by Douaa Falah, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Youth Photography Project, which began in September 2017 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2018. (Photo: Douaa Falah)

One of the biggest priorities of this project was providing newcomers with the opportunity to explore Peterborough through their unique lens. Participants from each level were taken on photography field trips.

Douaa Falah from the youth level remembers these trips with fondness.

“Through this program, I made friends that I talk to even now,” Douaa says. “As we went out as a group to take photos in different places, it helped me to discover more of Peterborough.”

A photo by Yaris Hernandez Ravelo, a participant in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Adult Photography Project. The adult project was intended to conclude with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival 2020, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. (Photo: Yaris Hernandez Ravelo)
A photo by Yaris Hernandez Ravelo, a participant in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Adult Photography Project. The adult project was intended to conclude with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival 2020, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. (Photo: Yaris Hernandez Ravelo)

As they continued to look for opportunities to introduce participants to the city, Robert connected participants with a local photography supplier. Participants were encouraged to go in and get free prints, allowing participants to engage with the store employees and tell them about their work.

As participants captured their world, each age group came together monthly to share with friends and instructors, learn new skills, and ultimately put their work on display in local galleries. Robert and the team adapted the workshops to suit the needs and ages of the participants.

For Yaris Hernandez Ravelo and the adult class, that meant a deep dive into the intricacies of the camera.

“What I liked the most about the photography project was that I learned the main settings for the camera like ISO, aperture, et cetera,” Yaris recalls. “I always wondered how those work.”

A photo by Bintou Cherif, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Youth Photography Project, which began in September 2017 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2018. (Photo: Bintou Cherif)
A photo by Bintou Cherif, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Youth Photography Project, which began in September 2017 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2018. (Photo: Bintou Cherif)

The opportunity to preview their work at the ReFrame Film Festival was an eye-opening and unforgettable experience for the children and youth.

“Children got to come up on the stage at ReFrame and introduce themselves,” says Robert. “They were able to see that the community was behind them. The comments we received from the public were people being amazed that children could do these things. That was a huge boost to the self-esteem of the children and teenagers.”

Hearing that overwhelming support from their community was a beautiful highlight for so many of the participants. For Zeina Mahfouz from the children’s group, her favourite part was “Showing my photos in a gallery where people can see them and give me their opinion.”

A photo by Ozzy Jair Garcia Gutierrez, a participant in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Adult Photography Project. With Robert Boudreau instructing, the adult program dug deep into the operation of the camera, allowing the photographer to take full control and advantage of their "light writing" tool. (Photo: Ozzy Jair Garcia Gutierrez)
A photo by Ozzy Jair Garcia Gutierrez, a participant in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Adult Photography Project. With Robert Boudreau instructing, the adult program dug deep into the operation of the camera, allowing the photographer to take full control and advantage of their “light writing” tool. (Photo: Ozzy Jair Garcia Gutierrez)

Robert truly believes in the value of photography for personal expression.

“Some people write a journal. I tell stories through photographs.”

Each participant is proudly still using their new camera skills to tell their narrative.

A photo by Zeina Mahfouz, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Children's Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. (Photo: Zeina Mahfouz)
A photo by Zeina Mahfouz, one of the participants in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Children’s Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. (Photo: Zeina Mahfouz)

“Now I am using these skills whenever I want to take a beautiful picture of my family and friends so that we could save nice memories,” Zeina says.

Douaa decided to pursue her newfound joy through school.

“After the program, I bought a camera and took photography classes in school.”

While Yaris isn’t able to take as many photos because of work, she still enjoys the occasional “relaxing and exciting time looking for ideas.”

Participants in the New Canadians Centre's Newcomer Children's Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. From left to right: Zeinah, Ibrahim, Amjad, Raneem, Ghaith, and (insert) Sami. A Newcomer Youth Photo Project followed in 2017 and 2018 with a Newcomer Adult Photography Project in 2020. (Photo courtesy of New Canadians Centre)
Participants in the New Canadians Centre’s Newcomer Children’s Photography Project, which began in July 2016 and wrapped up in with a community exhibit during the SPARK Photo Festival in 2017. From left to right: Zeinah, Ibrahim, Amjad, Raneem, Ghaith, and (insert) Sami. A Newcomer Youth Photo Project followed in 2017 and 2018 with a Newcomer Adult Photography Project in 2020. (Photo courtesy of New Canadians Centre)

From eight to 80-year-olds and beyond, NCC’s photography project — in collaboration with SPARK — has truly provided newcomers with the opportunity to explore their new city, connect with their community, make lifetime connections and build their creative self-esteem at their own pace.

“I totally think NCC should have this program again in the future,” says Douaa. “It’s a really good program and so many of my friends ask me if they can get in.”

The photographs from each iteration of this project are permanently on display on the New Canadians Centre’s walls and are also available in a virtual exhibit at nccpeterborough.ca/inspiring-newcomers-to-discover-canada-through-photography/.

These projects have been made possible through the generous support of many individuals, donors, and organizations, including:

  • City of Peterborough, with thanks to Victoria Hamilton and the late Becky Rogers
  • Government of Ontario
  • Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough
  • Robert Boudreau, Randall Romano, Crystal Hebert, Linda Cardona, Erin Burke of SPARK Photo Festival
  • Josh Resar, Peterborough Photo Service
  • Kim Cranfield and Katie Watt, Publican House
  • Mike Bolan, Documentary Filmmaker
  • Simon Bell, Focus on Nature Guelph
  • Dan Boudreau, Reau-Bot Productions
  • ReFrame Film Festival
  • Brant Basics

 

This story has been published in partnership with the New Canadians Centre.

businessNOW: six Peterborough-area entrepreneurs receive Starter Company Plus funding

By Bruce Head -
Christine Jaros of VerminiX Pest Control Company in Peterborough, which offers pest control solutions for residential, commercial, and cottage customers in the Peterborough area, is one of six entrepreneurs in the winter intake of the Starter Company Plus entrepreneurial program who are each receiving a $5,000 grant. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

businessNOW™ is our round-up of business and organizational news from Peterborough and across the greater Kawarthas region.

This week, we’re featuring the six Peterborough-area entrepreneurs who are receiving $30,000 in funding from the Start Company Plus program administered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre, and the awarding of the contract for the Eastern Ontario Regional Network Cell Gap Project to Rogers Communications.

In businessNOW, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.

Also included this week is a $25,000 donation from a Markham-based real estate developer and builder to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation in Lindsay. a Fleming College grad who is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his game show business, two job opportunities at Artspace in Peterborough, 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook receiving $61,980 in provincial funding support for the arts sector, and the Ontario government’s loosening of dining restrictions in Grey-Lockdown, Red-Control, and Orange-Restrict levels.

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Six Peterborough-area entrepreneurs receive $30,000 in funding from Starter Company Plus program

Mike Frampton's Peterborough business Tragically Dipped Donuts in Peterborough sells fresh handmade donuts, all-day breakfast, and locally roasted coffee from a food truck. He is one of six entrepreneurs in the winter intake of the Starter Company Plus entrepreneurial program who are each receiving a $5,000 grant. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Mike Frampton’s Peterborough business Tragically Dipped Donuts in Peterborough sells fresh handmade donuts, all-day breakfast, and locally roasted coffee from a food truck. He is one of six entrepreneurs in the winter intake of the Starter Company Plus entrepreneurial program who are each receiving a $5,000 grant. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre has announced the six entrepreneurs in the winter intake of the Starter Company Plus entrepreneurial program who are each receiving a $5,000 grant.

The six businesses receiving grants are:

  • Christine Jaros of VerminiX Pest Control Company in Peterborough, which offers pest control solutions for residential, commercial, and cottage customers in the Peterborough area.
  • Fenna Renee Green of Daily Development in Peterborough, which provide one-to-one support for people with disabilities and their families.
  • Lia Gomez Lowe of Full Bloom Health in Peterborough, which offers holistic nutrition counselling to women in the perinatal stages of life.
  • Mike Frampton of Tragically Dipped Donuts in Peterborough, which sells fresh handmade donuts, all-day breakfast, and locally roasted coffee from a food truck.
  • Scott D. Bain and Sandy Spremo of The K9 Clipper in Peterborough, a dog grooming business set to open this spring, initially offering bathing, skin care, clipping, styling, and general grooming services for pets.
  • E. Tristan Pulham and Tyler O’Conner of Elemental Tree Care in Bridgenorth, which provides a wide range of tree care services, including hazardous removals, tree pruning, plant health care services, and more.

Funded by the Ontario government, Starter Company Plus is designed to provide business training to aspiring or experienced entrepreneurs in the city and county of Peterborough who are launching a new business or expanding an existing one that’s been operating for five years or less.

A total of 12 entrepreneurs participated in the eight-week program, which is delivered completely online and culminates with six of the entrepreneurs each being awarded a grant of $5,000, with the selection based on creativity and viability of their business and the strength of their business plan.

“Even after a difficult year, entrepreneurs and small business owners in Peterborough and the Kawarthas have shown up,” says Hillary Manion, the entrepreneurship officer who oversees the Starter Company Plus program. “With both new startups and expansions, this intake of the Starter Company Plus was a diverse and unique group. I am very proud of all 12 businesses that participated in the program and am honoured to have had the chance to watch their businesses take shape. They will, without a doubt, add to our community as a whole.”

 

Rogers Communications awarded contract to improve cellular services in eastern Ontario

Rogers Communications will be constructing 300 new telecommunication sites and upgrading more than 300 existing sites over the next four to five years as part of the $302-millon Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN)’s Cell Gap Project. (Photo: Rogers Communications)
Rogers Communications will be constructing 300 new telecommunication sites and upgrading more than 300 existing sites over the next four to five years as part of the $302-millon Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN)’s Cell Gap Project. (Photo: Rogers Communications)

Rogers Communications has been awarded the contract to improve cellular services in eastern Ontario as part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN)’s Cell Gap Project.

In May 2017, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) — a non-profit organization created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, which represents 13 municipalities across eastern Ontario, to improve broadband access across the region — proposed a $213 million public-private partnership to enhance both the reach and quality of cellular data services.

According an EORN-commissioned engineering study, around a quarter of eastern Ontario where there are homes, businesses, or major roads contain cellular “dead zones”, where people cannot access any cellular services and, where cellular service does exist, nearly two-thirds of the area doesn’t have enough capacity to provide high-quality mobile broadband service.

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The estimated total cost of the Cell Gap Project is $302 million, with the Canadian and Ontario governments each contributing $71 million, with an additional $10 million coming from the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus.

Rogers Communications, which was selected through a competitive bidding process, will be investing $150 million in new or improved cell infrastructure.

The project will involve construction of more than 300 new telecommunication sites and will upgrade more than 300 existing sites over the next four to five years, bringing 5G wireless network technology to the region. Upgrades and construction will begin as early as this spring. New services will be activated as groups of towers are built or upgraded, with the project fully completed in 2025.

In addition to improving cellular services in eastern Ontario, the project is expected to create more than 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $420 million in new business revenue over 10 years.

 

Markham-based real estate developer and builder donates $25,000 to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation in Lindsay

Shakir Rehmatullah (right), owner of Markahm-based Flato Developments Inc., presents a cheque for $25,000 to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coons (middle). Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham (left) attended the cheque presentation. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation)
Shakir Rehmatullah (right), owner of Markahm-based Flato Developments Inc., presents a cheque for $25,000 to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coons (middle). Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham (left) attended the cheque presentation. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation)

Flato Developments Inc., a real estate developer and builder based in Markham with plans to develop neighbourhoods in the Lindsay and Cameron areas, has donated $25,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation in Lindsay.

“We recognize and value the importance of keeping our communities healthy and safe, which is why we’re so excited to be supporting Ross Memorial Hospital,” said Flato owner Shakir Rehmatullah, who presented a cheque to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coons on Monday (March 22).

“When we build communities, we support communities,” Rehmatullah added. “In Kawartha Lakes, we look forward to continuing to partner with and support community organizations to achieve their goals that will make the community better for everyone.”

“This generous gift will support hospital needs including life-saving technology, patient care equipment and priority projects,” Coons said. “We’re pleased to welcome Shakir and his team at Flato to the community and to our donor family at the Ross.”

“As our community continues to grow, we are investing in the services and infrastructure that our residents need to thrive,” added Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham. “Access to health care is one of the top priorities. I can’t say enough about the Ross Memorial Hospital and the outstanding service they provide to Kawartha Lakes residents. Many thanks to Shakir Rehmatullah for this gift.”

 

Fleming College grad celebrates one-year anniversary of his game show business

The scoreboard from "Fun Pardy!", one of the game shows offered by Ryan Smith's one-year-old business Quiz Show Trivia. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Smith)
The scoreboard from “Fun Pardy!”, one of the game shows offered by Ryan Smith’s one-year-old business Quiz Show Trivia. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Smith)

Ryan Smith is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Quiz Show Trivia, his game show business that provides private online and virtual game shows based on classics of the genre.

The Fleming College graduate launched Quiz Show Trivia while locked down on his parents’ Ontario-based farm in March 2020.

“In the first year, we’ve hosted over 75 games,” Smith states in a media release. “Some of these have been tournaments, some fundraisers. Our largest game saw over 100 players competing in teams which included people from as far away as New Zealand.”

Smith’s website at www.trivia.show promises prizes with every game show booked, which have included such sponsored items as gift cards, tech gadgets, food and beverages, clothing and more.

Smith’s company works with local and independent brands in various promotional capacities, lending its game shows as the platform. Partnering with Quiz Show Trivia entitles sponsors to more than just in-game ads. Businesses also enjoy free advertising on a frequently visited website page, inclusion in social media campaigns, and other unique marketing opportunities.

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Artspace in Peterborough seeking candidates for two job openings

Artspace, the non-profit artist-run centre in Peterborough, is accepting applications for two positions: artistic director/curator and director of operations and development.

Each position is full time (35 hours per week) and each pays $40,000. Artspace will be accepting applications until each position is filled.

For more details, including qualifications and skills required, and to apply, visit artspace-arc.org/calls/job-opportunities/.

 

Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre receives $61,980 in provincial funding support for arts sector

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is Canada's premier outdoor theatre company. (Photo: 4th Line Theatre / Facebook)
4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is Canada’s premier outdoor theatre company. (Photo: 4th Line Theatre / Facebook)

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is one of 140 arts organizations across Ontario receiving $24 million in one-time funding from the Ontario government.

Details were provided earlier in March by by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

“Arts organizations make an important contribution to our province, providing thousands of jobs for musicians, writers, painters, actors, dancers, stagehands and the many others working behind the scenes,” MacLeod said. “They entertain us, but they also play an important role in the mental health and well-being of Ontarians and an equally important role in the province’s economic and social recovery.”

4th Line Theatre, the only arts organization in the Kawarthas to receive a grant, is receiving $61,980.

Along with the $24 million in one-time funding, the province will be providing $1 million in support directly to artists and creators from across the province. More information on the funding including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, will be available on the Ontario Arts Council website at www.arts.on.ca.

 

Ontario government loosens dining restrictions in Grey-Lockdown, Red-Control, and Orange-Restrict levels

Two masked employees in a restaurant. (Stock photo)

The Ontario government has loosened dining restrictions at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, for regions in the Grey-Lockdown, Red-Control, and Orange-Restrict levels of the province’s COVID-19 response framework. The changes went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 20th.

For regions in the Orange-Restrict and Red-Control levels, capacity limits for indoor dining will be based on a standard, scalable calculation that will allow for up to approximately 50 per cent of the indoor dining area to be accessible to the public, subject to physical distancing rules. The total occupancy cannot exceed 50 patrons in Red-Control and 100 patrons in Orange-Restrict.

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While indoor dining continues to be prohibited for regions in the Grey-Lockdown level, outdoor dining is now permitted in those regions, subject to physical distancing rules and a number of other public health and workplace safety measures.

Seating for indoor dining in the Orange-Restrict and Red-Control levels is limited to members of the same household with exemptions for patrons who live alone and caregivers. The same applies to outdoor dining in the Grey-Lockdown level.

Each establishment must post a sign in a location visible to the public that states the maximum capacity (number of patrons) allowed in the establishment.

 

For business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.

Ontario reports 1,546 new COVID-19 cases, including 5 in greater Kawarthas region

By kawarthaNOW -

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

Ontario is reporting 1,546 new cases today, with the seven-day average of daily cases increasing by 67 to 1,667. The province is also reporting 19 more confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 UK variant and 1 new case of the P.1 Brazilian variant.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 5 new cases to report and an additional 9 cases resolved, with the number of active cases across the region decreasing by 4 to 87. See below for detailed numbers from each regional health unit.

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Most of today’s new cases are in Toronto (465), Peel (329), and York (161).

There are double-digit increases in Durham (99), Halton (64), Ottawa (58), Hamilton (57), Niagara (39), Simcoe Muskoka (38), Waterloo (31), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (23), Middlesex-London (22), Windsor-Essex (21), Lambton (20), Sudbury (15), Eastern Ontario (15), Leeds, Grenville & Lanark (13), Haldimand-Norfolk (13), Chatham-Kent (12), Southwestern (12), and Thunder Bay (10), with smaller increases in Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (9) and Grey Bruce (8).

The remaining 11 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 3 health units reporting no new cases at all.

Of today’s new cases, 56% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (537) among people ages 20-39 followed by 464 cases among people ages 40-59.

With 1,271 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases is unchanged at 93.3%. The average positivity rate across Ontario has increased by 0.3% from yesterday to 5.7%, meaning that 57 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on March 22.

Ontario is reporting 9 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 1 new death in a long-term care home. Ontario has averaged 11 new daily deaths over the past week, a decrease of 1 from yesterday.

Hospitalizations have increased by 55 from yesterday to 868, with the number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs increasing by 26 to 324 and the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators increasing by 7 to 193.

A total of 32,556 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation increasing by 16,918 to 31,325.

A total of 1,603,699 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 50,659 from yesterday, with 301,043 people fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, an increase of 1,746 from yesterday. The number of fully vaccinated people represents 2.04% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.01%.

There are 409 new cases in Ontario schools, an increase of 269 from yesterday, including 333 student cases, 75 staff cases, and 1 case of an unidentified person. There are 93 new cases in licensed child care settings in Ontario, an increase of 64 from yesterday, including 59 cases among children and 34 cases among staff. Note: cases reported on Tuesdays include the total number of cases reported from Friday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 5 new cases to report, including 4 in Peterborough and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, or Hastings Prince Edward.

There are 7 new regional cases of presumed variants of concern, including 5 in Peterborough and 2 in Northumberland.

An additional 9 cases have been resolved, including 5 in Peterborough, 3 in Haliburton, and 1 in Northumberland.

There are currently 87 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 4 from yesterday, including 55 in Peterborough, 10 in Northumberland, 9 in Kawartha Lakes, 7 in Haliburton, and 6 in Hastings Prince Edward (1 in Quinte West, 2 in Belleville, 1 in Prince Edward County, 1 in Central Hastings, and 1 in North Hastings).

Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 822 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (757 resolved with 10 deaths), 567 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (516 resolved with 55 deaths), 479 in Northumberland County (457 resolved with 12 deaths), 66 in Haliburton County (58 resolved with 1 death), and 443 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (431 resolved with 6 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on March 16.

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).

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Peterborough Public Health

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

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

Confirmed positive: 822 (increase of 5)*
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 1 (no change)
Presumed variants of concern cases: 166 (increase of 5)
Active cases: 55 (no change)
Close contacts: 208 (increase of 8)
Deaths: 10 (no change)
Resolved: 757 (increase of 5)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 29 (no change)**
Total tests completed: Over 45,650 (no change)
Outbreaks: Severn Court Student Residence in Peterborough, Champlain College residence at Trent University in Peterborough, unidentified congregate living facility in Peterborough, Gzowski College student residence at Trent University, Empress Gardens retirement home in Peterborough (no change)
Vaccine doses administered: 13,911 (last updated on March 18)

*The health unit has reported 4 new cases in the last 24 hours, but the total case count has increased by 5.

**As of March 23, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting fewer than 5 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change) and 20 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

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

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

Confirmed positive: 1,113, including 567 in Kawartha Lakes, 479 in Northumberland, and 66 in Haliburton (increase of 1 in Northumberland)*
Cases with N501Y mutation: 43, including 8 in Kawartha Lakes, 34 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (increase of 2 in Northumberland)**
Active cases: 26, including 9 in Kawartha Lakes, 10 in Northumberland, and 7 in Haliburton (decrease of 3 in Haliburton)
Probable cases: 0 (no change)
High-risk contacts: 189, including 32 in Kawartha Lakes, 84 in Northumberland, and 55 in Haliburton (decrease of 60)***
Hospitalizations (total to date): 49, including 29 in Kawartha Lakes, 17 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (no change)****
Deaths (including among probable cases): 68, including 55 in Kawartha Lakes, 12 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change)
Resolved: 1,031, including 516 in Kawartha Lakes, 457 in Northumberland, 58 in Haliburton (increase of 4, including 1 in Northumberland and 3 in Haliburton)
Tests completed: 158,241 (increase of 790)
Vaccine doses administered: 15,788 (no change)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 2,283 (no change)
Outbreaks: Hyland Crest long-term care home in Minden, St. Michael Catholic Elementary School in Cobourg (no change)

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

**The N501Y mutation has been identified in variants of concern including the B.1.1.7 UK variant, the B.1.351 South Africa variant, and the P.1 Brazilian variant.

***This total includes an additional 18 high-risk contacts directly followed up through the Public Health Ontario contact tracing process that are missing the contacts’ county.

****As of March 23, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 1 patient hospitalized with COVID-19 (decrease of 1).

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

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

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

Confirmed positive: 443 (decrease of 1)
Confirmed variants of concern cases: 8 (no change)
Active cases: 6 (decrease of 1)
Deaths: 6 (no change)
Currently hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator (total to date): 0 (no change)
Resolved: 431 (no change)
Tests completed: 79,199 (increase of 333)
Vaccine doses administered: 20,818 (increase of 796)
Number of people fully vaccinated: 1,895 (increase of 2)
Outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 332,119 (increase of 1,546)
COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) confirmed cases: 1,359 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 19); 47 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (decrease of 1); 37 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 1)
VOC R(t): 1.27 (increase of 0.02 as of March 19)*
7-day average of daily new cases: 1,667 (increase of 67)
Resolved: 309,849 (increase of 1,271), 93.3% of all cases (no change)
Positivity rate: 5.7% (increase of 0.3%)
Hospitalizations: 868 (increase of 55)
Hospitalizations in ICU: 324 (increase of 26)
Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 193 (increase of 7)
Deaths: 7,253 (increase of 9)
7-day average of daily new deaths: 11 (decrease of 1)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,892 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: 12,146,393 (increase of 32,556)
Tests under investigation: 31,325 (increase of 16,918)
Vaccination doses administered: 1,603,699 (increase of 50,659)
People fully vaccinated (two doses): 301,043 (increase of 1,746), 2.04% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.01%, est. 70-90% required for herd immunity)

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

COVID-19 cases in Ontario from February 20 - March 22, 2021. 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 cases in Ontario from February 20 – March 22, 2021. 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 February 20 - March 22, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from February 20 – March 22, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from February 20 - March 22, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day moving average of is a five-day moving average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from February 20 – March 22, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day moving average of is a five-day moving average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from February 20 - March 22, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from February 20 – March 22, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from February 20 - March 22, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from February 20 – March 22, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

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

Peterborough photographer hands the lens to the public to share their own photos of inspiring women

By Hannah Abrahamse -
For her project "Inspire: The Women's Portrait Project", Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty has taken almost 400 photos of inspiring women, including Ilana Overink of the Selwyn Fire Department. For her latest project "She Inspires Me", Doughty is encouraging people to submit their own photos and stories of inspirational women, including young girls, female-identifying, and non-binary individuals. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

When Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty first launched ‘Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project’ in 2017, she wanted to create a project that celebrated remarkable women by sharing their portraits and stories.

Four years and over 368 women later, Doughty’s latest initiative ‘She Inspires Me’ invites everyone to pick up a camera to take and submit photos and stories of the remarkable women, young girls, female-identifying, and non-binary individuals in their lives.

“You take photos of women who inspire you and submit them along with a 300-word blurb,” Doughty explains. “All of the photos will live on the web page, but we’re going to curate six that best embody the spirit of what Inspire is.”

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A panel of judges will be looking for a good quality photograph and a well-written accompanying bio under 300 words. Doughty says they are looking for stories that underline what’s in the image — women who inspire, support, uplift, and empower others.

You do not need to be a professional photographer or have an expensive camera to enter.

“Everybody is a photographer because your cell phone has a camera,” says Doughty. “The Inspire mandate is to celebrate the remarkable in the regular and to uplift and inspire. We’re going to be looking for nominees who represent that.”

Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty launched "Inspire: The Women's Portrait Project" in 2017 to celebrate remarkable women by taking their photos and sharing their stories. Her latest project, "She Inspires Me", invites members of the public to do the same. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty launched “Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project” in 2017 to celebrate remarkable women by taking their photos and sharing their stories. Her latest project, “She Inspires Me”, invites members of the public to do the same. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

The six winning portraits will be shared on the Inspire Facebook and Instagram channels, become the cover pages for the Inspire website, and may be printed and hung for a period of time at the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough. Written bios will be shared with the public alongside the photographs.

Submissions are now being accepted for ‘She Inspires Me’, which launched on International Women’s Day, through a simple online form at inspirethewomensportraitproject.com/contest/she-inspires-me/. Submissions close on Thursday, April 22nd (the deadline was originally Thursday, April 8th).

‘She Inspires Me’ is a sub-project with the same mission as its umbrella project ‘Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project’. Inspire began with Doughty’s idea to celebrate some of the remarkable women in the Peterborough area by taking and curating their portraits and sharing their stories.

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“It came from a conversation that I had with some friends about women’s self-perception and how we never accept or are happy with the way we look, and how we never own the amazing things that we do,” Doughty recalls. “Most of us are the best cheering section for our friends, but we get awkward when it comes to accepting ourselves.”

“I went to a select group of women and said ‘You inspire me. I would like to take your photo and share your story, and then I would like you to nominate two women who inspire you.'”

The project took off through the nomination process and grew organically into a large inspirational movement that reaches beyond the Peterborough region. Doughty has now taken portraits and shared the stories of 368 incredible women — with this number consistently growing as nominations continue to roll in.

Not long after launching "Inspire: The Women's Portrait Project", Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty started a parallel project called "Day of the Girl", featuring young women like 11-year-old Ammielia Garbutt of the Curve Lake First Nation Girl's Drumming Group. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
Not long after launching “Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project”, Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty started a parallel project called “Day of the Girl”, featuring young women like 11-year-old Ammielia Garbutt of the Curve Lake First Nation Girl’s Drumming Group. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

“The project not only shares these women’s stories so that women don’t feel alone, but the women are able to see ‘This is me, and this is the way somebody thinks of me as inspiring,'” explains Doughty. “The photos are what I call candid — they’re not posed. Part of the process is the nominee chooses a location that is meaningful to them.”

Not long after launching ‘Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project’, Doughty started a parallel project called ‘Day of the Girl’, since she noticed Inspire wasn’t receiving many nominations for young women and girls. This project honours International Day of the Girl, a United Nations day of observance first declared in 2012.

Doughty’s ‘Day of the Girl’ project is similar to her Inspire project, but celebrates girls under 19.

“I decided to create what I first initially thought was a sub-project, which has now actually become a parallel project,” Doughty says. “It’s amazing to share the accomplishments of these incredible young women.”

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According to Doughty, her next goal for growing the Inspire project is to take it further across Canada. However, due to the COVID-19, Doughty cannot yet make this happen safely — hence the idea for ‘She Inspires Me’.

Submissions for Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty's "She Inspires Me" project close on April 22, 2021. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
Submissions for Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty’s “She Inspires Me” project close on April 22, 2021. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

“I had really wanted to take this across Canada, but that’s not in the cards for a while,” Doughty notes. “This is why I came up with the idea of handing the camera off to anyone in Canada to take the photo and created ‘She Inspires Me’.”

A positive and uplifting project is needed now more than ever, since the pandemic has been a difficult and dispiriting time for many — with women being disproportionately affected. As women nominate and celebrate one another, the project also builds community when physical distancing and isolation have made it harder to find.

“COVID has been extremely hard on everybody,” Doughty remarks. “It’s even harder on women. This project reminds women of how amazing they are. It’s a positive. It’s a bit of happiness and positivity to share with the rest of the world.”

Doughty asks everyone to support the project by submitting nominations and sharing the web page link.

The women featured in Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty's "Inspire: The Women's Portrait Project" are from all walks of life, such as Peterborough musician and actor Kate Suhr. For her latest project "She Inspires Me", Doughty is encouraging the public to step behind the lends and take photos of the women who inspire them. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
The women featured in Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty’s “Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project” are from all walks of life, such as Peterborough musician and actor Kate Suhr. For her latest project “She Inspires Me”, Doughty is encouraging the public to step behind the lends and take photos of the women who inspire them. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

“If you are in an organization, or you have contacts with organizations, please share the web page link about ‘She Inspires’ so that we can spread it across Canada,” Doughty urges. “Or you can reach out to me at my email info@inspirethewomensportraitproject.com. I’m happy to answer questions. We are always looking for volunteers and supporters.”

Submissions for ‘She Inspires Me’ will remain open until Thursday, April 22nd — extended from the original deadline of April 8th. Visit inspirethewomensportraitproject.com/contest/she-inspires-me/ to submit. The photos from all Inspire projects are shared on their Facebook and Instagram channels.

‘Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project’ is made possible through the generosity and sponsorship of Fox Law.

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