The 175th annual Peterborough Exhibition has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — but exhibitors will still be able to show their animals online through a virtual version of the event.

On Tuesday (May 26), the board of the Peterborough Agricultural Society announced the decision to shift the event, originally scheduled to take place in early August at Morrow Park, to a virtual version.

“Although the pandemic has forced us to postpone the Ex as we know it, there is an increased interest in agriculture,” says board president Victoria McEldon. “People are once again looking at farming with great interest. We want to help foster and celebrate that.”

The virtual event will allow some exhibitors to show their animals through video and photos, which will be uploaded for judging. The poultry and open horse show will move online, as well as the market steer and lamb show and sale.

Other exhibits such as the beef show, homecraft, sheep, and commercial horse and goat shows will be featured through a series of agriculture education videos and online content as part of the virtual event.

“We are excited about this new, re-imagined event and look forward to a time when we can safely bring people together to celebrate our 175th anniversary,” McEldon says.

Registration for the virtual exhibition will open later in the summer and producers are encouraged to check the Peterborough Exhibition website at peterboroughex.ca for updates.

The Peterborough Police Service has opened a new office at the transit terminal on Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough. Although the office will increase security at the transit terminal, it’s not intended to be used by the public to report crimes or seek police assistance.

Described by the police as a “satellite office”, the location officially opened its doors to the public on Tuesday (May 26).

The new office will mainly be used by officers working in what police call “Area 1”, the section of Peterborough that includes the downtown core.

In the future, the satellite office will also be used when police host meetings with community partners or stakeholders.

A display screen located outside the office will broadcast police-related messaging and information including crime prevention tips, upcoming events, and recruiting or volunteer opportunities.

“Our downtown office will increase our visibility in the downtown core, increase security at the bus terminal, and also allow for even more engagement opportunities with our community and stakeholders,” says police inspector John Lyons.

Unlike the Peterborough police headquarters located on Water Street, the satellite office will not be open at all times, and police are asking members of the public not to visit the office to report an incident or if they need police assistance.

The public should continue to call 9-1-1 in an emergency or, in a non-emergency, call the non-emergency line at 705-876-1122. Members of the public can also report a non-emergency crime at peterboroughpolice.com/report/a-crime/.

“This is another way that police are accessible in our community,” says Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien. “The bus terminal is a central location where police can interact with residents, helping to promote safety.”

Premier Doug Ford’s recent plea that more Ontarians get tested for COVID-19 — even if they don’t have symptoms — has already led to a dramatic increase in the number of people being tested at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) COVID-19 Assessment Centre.

According to hospital vice-president Dr. Lynn Mikula, the centre tested 93 people Monday (May 25) — its highest one-day total to date.

“I hope the number of tests being done will continue to go up,” said Dr. Mikula during a media briefing on Tuesday (May 26).

On Sunday (May 24), Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a public plea for the people of Ontario to get tested for COVID-19, following up on comments he made earlier in the week.

“If you are worried if you have COVID-19, or that you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, even if you’re not showing symptoms, please go get a test,” Ford said on Sunday.

That message has apparently resonated with Peterborough area residents, according to Dr. Mikula.

“In the early going, when the testing criteria was restricted, we were seeing 25 people a day. In recent weeks, it’s been between 30 and 50 people daily. Over the weekend and yesterday, we took appointments for people who are asymptomatic or concerned they had been exposed.”

“We’re getting close to reaching our capacity in the assessment centre. We’re exploring an alternate option with Peterborough Public Health and Peterborough Paramedics. We’re hoping to announce something about that very soon.”

Dr. Mikula noted the testing of asymptomatic people involves “a quick drop-in kind of testing.”

“Currently when you come to the assessment centre, you do see a physician and you undergo a medical assessment,” she said. “This alternative will not have the physician and the full medical assessment. It’s for people who don’t have symptoms and just need to get a swab done.”

To date, the PRHC Assessment Centre has tested more than 5,000 people since it opened early on during the pandemic. An appointment with the centre can be made by calling 705-876-5086. That number is open to call seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the hospital continues to treat one COVID-19 patient in its intensive care unit.

As of Tuesday morning, there have been 81 positive COVID-19 cases detected in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha, with 71 of those cases now resolved. More than 7,200 people have been tested for the virus in the region.

One thing that was a major concern for the hospital appears to be righting itself.

“Volumes through the emergency department are increasing bit by bit and we’re getting back close to what we normally expect to see,” said Dr. Mikula who, a few weeks back, urged those requiring emergency care to come to PRHC for that care without worrying about COVID-19 infection.

Dr. Mikula added the hospital is targeting early June for a “gradual, measured ramp-up” of non-urgent care pending provincial approval.

“We’re working with our partners on a co-ordinated regional approach,” she said. “All hospitals remain under a provincial directive to keep non-urgent care at a minimal level. While we await the lifting of this directive, we’re continuing to plan and prepare.”

“PRHC will be resuming non-urgent care in a phased manner with an abundance of caution and oversight in a number of key areas and will continuously monitor the impact on the hospital and the health care system before moving on to the next phase. At times, we may need to scale back on non-urgent care volumes again as COVID-19 activity in our community fluctuates.”

Non-urgent, or elective care, is “something that can wait potentially months or longer” explained Dr. Mikula, while semi-urgent care involves conditions that will continue to progress unless treated.

She said that, as the hospital will set priorities according to the level of clinical urgency as it assesses patients.

“It is a stable condition? Is it a condition that needs treatment to halt its progression? Is it an urgent condition that we need to deal with in 24 to 48 hours?”

Sultry summer weather has arrived early and with a vengeance.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for much of the Kawarthas region, including Peterborough, Kawarthas Lakes, and Northumberland.

Temperatures will soar again to 29°C on Tuesday (May 26), to 32°C on Wednesday, and to 30°C on Thursday.

Humidex values will make it feel like it’s 36°C each afternoon.

Some relief is expected near the shorelines of the Great Lakes.

A cold front will deliver considerably cooler and less humid air to southern Ontario on Friday.

Environment Canada issues heat warnings when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.

Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Kawarthas region — including Peterborough, Kawarthas Lakes, and Northumberland — due to hot daytime temperatures expected from Tuesday (May 25) through Thursday.

Daytime highs in the low thirties are expected.

Nighttime temperatures will drop below 17°C, giving some relief to the heat.

While Environment Canada is monitoring the regions for a possible heat warning, at this time the main concern is afternoon high temperatures.

Humidex values may also be in the high thirties.

A cold front will bring lower temperatures and scattered showers to the region on Friday.

The City of Peterborough has cancelled the 2020 Canada Day Parade on Wednesday, July 1st to help prevent the spread of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The health and well-being of residents is our priority,” says Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien. “During these difficult times, let’s celebrate Canada Day apart — but together.”

Therrien suggests Peterborough residents celebrate Canada Day with their household, and by decorating front porches or balconies as a way to celebrate with neighbours.

For an up-to-date listing on municipal services in Peterborough affected by the COVID-19 emergency, visit peterborough.ca/COVID19.

Unlike the large crowds who gathered at Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday (May 23), Cobourg residents respected physical distancing and restrictions on public gatherings this past weekend — including at the popular Victoria Park and Beach — according to the Cobourg Police Service.

Police say the park and beach saw daytime visitors only, in small groups and adhering to public health guidelines, on both Saturday and Sunday.

“Cobourg residents have been doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19, and we thank them for that,” says Cobourg police chief Paul VandeGraaf in a media release. “Unlike other towns and cities this weekend, Cobourg community members continued to follow the new guidelines released by the town on Friday. We would like to thank residents for their continued effort and cooperation. Your actions are making a difference.”

To date, Cobourg police have issued four violations under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act — including one issued to a business in downtown Cobourg that opened its outdoor patio to serve customers on Saturday night (May 23).

Cobourg police say they have been using a collaborative and educational approach in enforcing the province’s emergency orders, laying charges only as a last resort, and that this approach has been effective.

“Cobourg residents continue to demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of the community,” police state in a media release.