In a video taken by staff of Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, health care workers at the home applaud as 91-year-old resident Lorraine Button goes for a walk on April 17, 2020 for the first time since the deadly outbreak of COVID-19 in the home, which has claimed the lives of 29 residents. (Screenshot)
If you’d like to brighten the day of a resident of Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, you can write them a letter via email.
Pinecrest was recently declared free of COVID-19, after an outbreak was first declared on March 18th. The outbreak, the largest in Ontario at the time, would eventually claim the lives of 28 residents of the home.
According to an update shared on Friday (May 22) by the home’s administrator Mary Carr, a member of the Fenelon Falls community has organized the Caring & Connecting Pen Pal Initiative.
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“This is a letter-sharing group that invites anyone in the community to write letters to Pinecrest residents,” Carr writes. “Residents can respond if they wish, but the primary goal is to connect residents with the community and boost spirits with cheerful and uplifting letters.”
Some of the residents will receive their first letters this weekend.
“I know that they will appreciate this connection as social distancing measures remain in place following Public Health’s ongoing isolation directives,” Carr writes.
Carr shares that residents of the home continue to do well, and are enjoying their outdoor walks in the summer-like weather.
She also says a few families have been busy planting flowers in the front gardens of the home for residents to enjoy, and that staff members who were also affected by COVID-19 have been returning to work.
“Our residents are happy to see familiar faces in the home and we are so glad to see our staff recovered and healthy,” Carr writes.
If you would like to participate by sending a letter to a Pinecrest resident, email it to activities@pinecrestnh.ca. Carr asks that all letters be sent by email, which will be delivered to the residents in person.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 79 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 147 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
That’s an increase of 4 cases, with 2 new cases reported in Peterborough and 2 new cases in Kawartha Lakes. Outbreaks at Caressant Care Lindsay and Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton were declared over on May 22.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 24,628 confirmed cases, an increase of 441 from yesterday, with 18,767 cases resolved, an increase of 258. There have been 2,021 deaths, an increase of 28 from yesterday, with 1,262 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 20. A total of 588,958 tests have been completed, an increase of 11,276 from yesterday, with 5,516 tests under investigation, an increase of 465.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 79 (increase of 2) Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable Results pending: Data currently unavailable Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 69 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 7,000 Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (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.
Confirmed positive: 170, including 147 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 2) Probable cases: 9 (increase of 5) Hospitalizations: 11 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 139 (decrease of 1) Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (decrease of 2)*
*Outbreaks at Caressant Care Lindsay and Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton were declared over on May 22.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change) Probable cases: 182 (decrease of 1) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 31 (no change) Total tests completed: 6,689 (increase of 189) Institutional outbreaks: None
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 24,628 (increase of 441) Hospitalized: 961 (decrease of 23) Hospitalized and in ICU: 153 (decrease of 2) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 120 (increase of 2) Deaths: 2,021 (increase of 28) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,262 (increase of 20, 62.4% of all deaths) Total tests completed 588,958 (increase of 11,276) Tests under investigation: 5,516 (increase of 465) Resolved: 18,767 (increase of 258)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 21, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend showing an overall decrease in the number of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Black River in the northwestern region of Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands provincial park, located southwest of Minden in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Two hikers who got lost in Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands provincial park on Thursday (May 21) have been found and are safe with no injuries.
One of the hikers had dialed 9-1-1 after the couple got lost in the 33,505-hectare park, which is located in Kawartha Lakes southwest of Minden.
Kawartha Lakes OPP called in their emergency response team to conduct a search by ATV and helicopter.
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The helicopter located the hikers, who were extracted and transported to a safe location in the Sebright area.
Both hikers were uninjured and in good health, according to an OPP media release.
“The OPP would like to remind hikers to ensure that they tell someone where they are going, where they are starting from, and how long they intend to be gone,” the OPP states in the media release.
Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands is a non-operating park with no maintained public facilities or services. On its website, Ontario Parks warns visitors that navigating in the park is difficult and cell service is unreliable.
“Be prepared to use appropriate route finding and safety practices as interior travel beyond access points requires complex navigating in a remote semi-wilderness environment,” reads the website. “Cellular service cannot be relied upon as a means of communication or navigation within these wildlands.”
The Ontario government recently reopened provincial parks for free day use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People enjoying volleyball at Beavermead Park in Peterborough's East City in 2015. Although the City of Peterborough is reopening municipal outdoor recreational facilities for limited casual use, all beaches, splsah bads, and wading pools remain closed, and the Ontario government's restriction of gatherings of more than five people remains in place. (Photo: City of Peterborough)
With more sun and temperatures in the high 20s forecast for Friday (May 12) and Saturday, you may be tempted to head down to the beaches at Roger’s Cove and Beavermead Park in Peterborough, or to take the kids to one of the city’s splash pads or wading pools.
The bad news is that they’re all still closed, along with playgrounds, play structures and equipment, and outdoor fitness equipment.
The good news is that the City of Peterborough is reopening municipal outdoor recreational facilities, including multi-use fields and courts (e.g. baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf, tennis courts, and basketball courts), the off-leash dog park, skateboard park, and picnic areas, shelters, and benches.
However, with the Ontario government’s restriction on gatherings of more than five people still in place, these facilities are only available for limited casual use. Team play is not permitted.
The city will also not be providing permits for scheduled and organized use of its outdoor recreational facilities at the current time.
Despite the reopenings, some sport fields and courts may be temporarily closed for normal spring maintenance
The city’s marina is scheduled to open on Friday, June 12th, with changes to service under new guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 77 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 145 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
That’s a net decrease of 1 case, with 1 case in Peterborough transferred to another health unit.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 24,187 confirmed cases, an increase of 413 from yesterday, with 18,509 cases resolved, an increase of 319 from yesterday. There have been 1,993 deaths, an increase of 31 from yesterday, with 62.3% of all deaths being residents in long-term care homes. A total of 577,682 tests have been completed, an increase of 10,506 from yesterday, with 5,051 tests under investigation, an increase of 607 from yesterday.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 77 (decrease of 1 from May 20)* Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable Results pending: Data currently unavailable Deaths: 2 (no change from from May 20) Resolved: 69 (no change from May 20) Total tests completed: Over 6,950 Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (no change from May 20)
*One positive case has been transferred to another health unit.
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.
Confirmed positive: 168, including 145 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (no change from May 20) Probable cases: 4 (increase of 3 from May 20) Hospitalizations: 11 (no change from May 20) Deaths: 32 (no change from May 20) Resolved: 140 (no change from May 20) Institutional outbreaks: Caressant Care Lindsay, Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton, Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change from May 20)
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change from May 20) Probable cases: 183 (increase of 1 from May 20) Deaths: 5 (no change from May 20) Hospitalized: 0 (decrease of 1 from May 20) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change from May 20) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change from May 20) Recovered: 31 (increase of 1 from May 20) Total tests completed: 6,500 (increase of 352 from May 20) Institutional outbreaks: None
Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 24,187 (increase of 413 from May 20) Hospitalized: 984 (decrease of 7 from May 20) Hospitalized and in ICU: 155 (decrease of 5 from May 20) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 117 (decrease of 3 from May 20) Deaths: 1,993 (increase of 31 from May 20) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,242 (62.3% of all deaths) Total tests completed 577,682 (increase of 10,506 from May 20) Tests under investigation: 5,051 (increase of 607 from May 20) Resolved: 18,509 (increase of 319 from May 20)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 20, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend showing an overall decrease in the number of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to see COVID-19 testing expanded in Ontario. He made the comments at a media briefing on May 21, 2020 at Queen's Park attended by colleges and universities minister Ross Romano and health minister Christine Elliott. (Screenshot / CPAC)
Premier Doug Ford wants to start testing as many Ontarians as possible for COVID-19.
He made the comments at a media briefing on Thursday (May 21) when the Ontario government announced its efforts to fund research and clinical trials into COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Over the past four days, Ontario has lagged behind its stated daily target of 16,000 tests per day, averaging around 8,200 per day.
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After a reporter asked him why Ontario is not reaching the target, Ford said fewer people are going to assessment centres than expected.
“I want to see people being tested,” Ford said. “If you have symptoms, please go to an assessment centre. I repeat it, if you have symptoms, please go to an assessment centre.”
He said he wants to see testing expanded to the trucking, taxi, food processing, and automotive sectors, as well as retesting of front-line health care workers in long-term care homes.
“As sure as I’m standing here, we’re going to make sure we ramp it up,” Ford said, adding that he also wants to see testing expanded to the general population, including random testing.
“We can’t just be testing people with symptoms,” he said. “We have to start going to the broader public and start testing as many people as possible — asymptomatic people. Until we do that, we can’t get our hands around the whole system.”
“How do we know how many asymptomatic people are out there right now? If we keep testing and tracing and testing and tracing, we’re going to get it down.”
While the number of new COVID-19 daily cases has been averaging under 400 over the past two weeks, there have been a couple of recent spikes over 400.
Health minister Christine Elliott explained the increases are not related to the government’s stage one reopening of the economy, since the impact of those changes won’t be seen until next week at the earliest.
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 20, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend showing an overall decrease in the number of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
She also said that, despite the increases, the overall trend of new cases is continuing downward, but that the government is monitoring the numbers closely and, if necessary, will reintroduce restrictions.
Ford said that he’s pushing the province’s COVID-19 Command Table — chaired by the deputy health minister Helen Angus and including Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams, Ontario Health president Matthew Anderson, and others — to come up with a plan for expanded testing.
“We’ll have more information next week,” Ford said. “They are going to come back with a plan, it’s all hands on deck.”
“I’ll be like an 800-pound gorilla on their backs every single day if I have to, until I see these (testing) numbers go up.”
Locally, Peterborough Public Health is encouraging all residents to get tested if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, especially if they are front-line workers.
“Our local health care system has plenty of capacity to test residents with symptoms in our community,” said Peterborough’s medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “With more businesses and services reopening, it is particularly important for those resuming their front-line roles to watch for symptoms and stay home if any develop. Instead, they should get tested as soon as possible.”
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The most current list of COVID-19 symptoms includes:
fever (greater than 37.8°C / 100°F)
new or worsening cough
shortness of breath
difficulty breathing
sore throat
headaches
diarrhea
chills
runny nose/nasal congestion without other known cause
nausea/vomiting
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
difficulty swallowing
unexplained fatigue/malaise/muscle aches
abdominal pain
decrease or loss of sense of smell or taste
Dr. Salvaterra noted that testing is available and encouraged for anyone who has symptoms. For those who work in a public-facing capacity, she recommended checking their temperature daily, and at the first sign of illness, to stay at home and not go to work.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate, and then use Ontario’s self-assessment tool at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ to see if you need to seek further care.
If you need further assistance, call your local health unit or local COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
Trails in the Ganaraska Forest, along with the nine conservation areas managed by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, will reopen for hiking on May 22, 2020. (Photo: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority)
The Ganaraska Forest is set to reopen for hiking on Friday, May 22nd.
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA), which manages the forest, will also be reopening its nine conservation areas for hiking.
The GRCA is reopening its properties in three phases, allowing hiking on May 22nd, other non-motorized uses such as mountain biking on May 29th, and motorized and all other uses on June 5th.
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Straddling the counties of Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Durham region, the Ganaraska Forest is southern Ontario’s largest forest and offers hundreds of kilometres of trails.
Along with the Ganaraska Forest, GRCA is responsible for the following conservation areas:
Ball’s Mill Conservation Area, located north of Cobourg in Hamilton Township
Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area, located north of Port Hope at County Road 28 and Highway 401
Rice Lake Conservation Area, located east of Bewdley in Hamilton Township
Cobourg Conservation Area, located on the east side of William Street in Cobourg
Garden Hill Conservation Area, located in the Municipality of Port Hope (formerly Hope Township) on Ganaraska Road 9
Richardson’s Lookout Conservation Area, located west of Garden Hill in the Municipality of Port Hope (formerly Hope Township)
Thurne Parks Conservation Area, located in the Municipality of Clarington
Port Hope Conservation Area, located beside the beside the Ganaraska River
Sylvan Glen Conservation Area, located in the Municipality of Port Hope (formerly Hope Township).
Despite the reopening of trails for hiking, all buildings on GRCA properties will remain closed, including the Ganaraska Forest Centre and all washroom facilities.
In addition, upon its reopening, trails in the Millennium Conservation Area in Port Hope will become one way.
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GRCA is requesting that hikers follow these rules:
Stay at least two metres (six feet) apart on the trails and in parking lots
Keep dogs on-leash
Remove all of your litter and pet waste
Stay on the trails
Follow trail etiquette and respect other visitors
Take only pictures and memories and leave only footprints.
A rain garden on Welsh Street in Peterborough. The native shrubs and trees in the garden have deep-growing roots that absorb the rain and provide habitat for pollinators. Rain gardens are designed with both an inlet and an outlet, often using stone such as pea gravel or river stone. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Have you been considering your gardening options this year? Would you like to save money, beautify your property, and reduce the risk of flooding in your neighbourhood?
If so, then the new Rain Garden Subsidy Program offered by the City of Peterborough and GreenUP is worth checking out!
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jenn McCallum, Water Programs Coordinator at GreenUP.
City residents can now complete an online application for a rain garden subsidy to help offset the costs associated with installing a rain garden. The subsidy will provide qualifying residents up to a $500 reimbursement towards a rain garden based on the volume of rain water storage the garden provides.
Full details, including frequently asked questions and links to apply, are available at greenup.on.ca/ready-for-rain.
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Residents who take part in a questionnaire to verify their garden dreams will be eligible prior to application. Approved applicants will then be invited to take part in an online rain garden design and installation workshop, offered by GreenUP on Wednesday, June 17th. The workshop will provide all the necessary steps and best practices so you can feel confident to get dirty and plant your garden.
If you are not familiar with rain gardens, they are a type of garden that is gaining popularity throughout Ontario. These bowl-shaped gardens are designed to slowly absorb rain flowing from surfaces such as rooftops.
“Rain gardens are an aesthetically pleasing way to do your part to limit the pollution caused by the urban run-off generated from your property,” says Curtis Mei, stormwater systems coordinator with the City of Peterborough. “Not only are they functional — helping with flood control and reducing pollution — but they can also increase the curb appeal of your property and attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.”
A rain garden in action. GreenUP will be offering online informational sessions and workshops to support the new Rain Garden Subsidy Program through the City of Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Rain gardens are designed with both an inlet and an outlet, often using stone such as pea gravel or river stone. The inlet is where water is directed into the garden — for example, under a downspout and into the garden. The outlet provides a safe place (away from basements) for the water to go should the rain garden be overwhelmed with a heavy rain event.
Rain gardens are also excellent for pollinators because they add habitat and colour to any property. If mosquitoes are a concern, have no fear: rain gardens are not suitable breeding grounds for these pesky insects, as they drain too quickly for mosquito larvae to survive.
Rain gardens are useful for absorbing rain that would otherwise run off rooftops and driveways and directly into the storm sewer system. Storm sewers collect rain water and direct it through a series of underground pipes before it is released into natural waterways, including Jackson Creek and the Otonabee River.
A rain garden in East City, installed through the GreenUP Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods program in 2018. Notice the bowl shape of the garden, the stone inlet that allows water to flow into the garden from the downspout, and the outlet on the bottom right side of the garden to allow water to overflow during heavy storms. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
When the rain flows over surfaces like driveways and asphalt roads, it can collect pollutants such as oil and gas leaked from cars, garbage, and road salt. Without rain gardens, this run-off carries these pollutants into the storm sewers and then into our waterways.
“Currently only 25 per cent of the city’s storm water is treated by some sort of storm water management facility before flowing into our natural watercourses,” Mei observes.
This means that most run-off enters our rivers untreated and unfiltered. All of this pollution can reduce the quality of the water, making it less livable for fish, frogs, and other wildlife.
Thanks to the new Rain Garden Subsidy Program offered by the City of Peterborough, city residents can get financial support to help them add a rain garden to their property, with GreenUP providing educational support on designing a rain garden. (Photos courtesy of GreenUP)
Residents who decide to take advantage of the new rain garden subsidy will benefit directly from GreenUP’s extensive experience installing rain gardens in the Peterborough area.
From 2016 to 2018, the GreenUP Ready for Rain Program installed eight demonstration rain gardens. These gardens are located in the Avenues neighbourhood, including along Park Street beside the former location of BE Catering. In the fall of 2017, residents of the Avenues and volunteers planted these gardens, which have been growing and absorbing the rain ever since.
The GreenUP Depave Paradise project has also installed two large rain gardens in the city: one near No Frills beside the Otonabee River, and one at the corner of Brealey Drive and Lansdowne Street West at Domino’s Pizza.
Between 2018 and 2019, the GreenUP Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods program added three new rain gardens within East City to reduce flood risk in this neighbourhood.
From 2016 to 2018, the GreenUP Ready for Rain Program installed eight demonstration rain gardens in the Avenues neighbourhood of Peterborough. Residents of the Avenues and volunteers planted these gardens, which have been growing and absorbing the rain ever since. A small rain garden can divert as much as 50,000 cubic metres from a single storm, and can also help to naturally filter and clean water and reduce flooding. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
GreenUP’s team is here to assist residents interested in building their own rain garden. The application process for the rain garden subsidy is through the City of Peterborough website.
GreenUP staff are available to answer questions that residents may have about the application process and rain garden design. Additionally, GreenUP is hosting informational sessions and workshops online to guide residents through the process.
The first online session is an informative rain garden primer and Q&A, hosted on Wednesday, May 27th from 7 to 8:15 p.m.. The second online event is a rain garden design and installation workshop, held on Wednesday, June 17th from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Participants are asked to register for these opportunities through the events calendar on the GreenUP website.
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The 2020 Rain Garden Subsidy Program is a pilot program with the goal of providing up to 50 subsidies to participating residents. Subsidies are intended to offset the cost of installing the rain garden, including soil, mulch, and plants.
Residents can begin applying now by completing the pre-approval application on the City of Peterborough website to receive a subsidy.
The process of installing a rain garden has several steps, such as locating underground utilities, conducting a soil drainage test, and using an online tool to calculate your roof area to determine the best size for your garden. GreenUP and the City of Peterborough are here to help you through each step. Together, we can create rain gardens across the community and be ready for rain!
If you are interested in participating in the program, you can get started right away. Simply visit the City of Peterborough website, complete and submit your pre-approval application, and attend the GreenUP rain garden primer and Q&A on May 27th and the design and installation workshop on June 17th.
For more information, please contact GreenUP Water Programs Coordinator Jenn McCallum at jenn.mccallum@greenup.on.ca.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 78 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 143 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
For the second day in a row, that’s an increase of 4 cases, with 2 new cases reported in Peterborough and 2 new cases in Kawartha Lakes.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 23,774 confirmed cases, an increase of 390 from yesterday, with 18,190 cases resolved, an increase of 292 from yesterday. There have been 1,962 deaths, an increase of 43 from yesterday, with 63% of all deaths being residents in long-term care homes. A total of 567,176 tests have been completed, an increase of 7,382 from yesterday, with 4,444 tests under investigation, an increase of 2,150 from yesterday.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 78 (increase of 2 from May 19) Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable* Results pending: Data currently unavailable* Deaths: 2 (no change from from May 19) Resolved: 69 (no change from May 19) Total tests completed: Over 6,900* Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (no change from May 19)
*Peterborough Public Health and its partners are currently testing in long-term care homes and retirement homes. This is rapidly increasing the number of tests performed and causing a delay in the health unit’s ability to accurately report these figures. Current data will be provided as soon as possible.
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.
Confirmed positive: 168, including 145 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 2 from May 19) Probable cases: 1 (increase of 1 from May 19) Hospitalizations: 11 (no change from May 19) Deaths: 32, including 28 at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon (no change from May 19) Resolved: 140 (increase of 1 from May 19) Institutional outbreaks: Caressant Care Lindsay, Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton, Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change from May 19)
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change from May 19) Probable cases: 183 (increase of 1 from May 19) Deaths: 5 (no change from May 19) Hospitalized: 0 (decrease of 1 from May 19) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change from May 19) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change from May 19) Recovered: 30 (increase of 1 from May 19) Total tests completed: 6,148 (increase of 278 from May 19) Institutional outbreaks: None
Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 23,774 (increase of 390 from May 19) Hospitalized: 991 (increase of 19 from May 19) Hospitalized and in ICU: 160 (decrease of 7 from May 19) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 120 (decrease of 3 from May 19) Deaths: 1,962 (increase of 43 from May 19) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,224 (63% of all deaths) Total tests completed 567,176 (increase of 7,382 from May 19) Tests under investigation: 4,444 (increase of 2,150 from May 19) Resolved: 18,190 (increase of 292 from May 19)
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario by public health unit, January 15 – May 19, 2020. (Graphic: Public Health Ontario)
Outdoors sports fields like the baseball diamonds in Peterborough's East City are open, but for solitary use only. Due to the continuing Ontario government emergency order probibiting gatherings of people to no more than five, team play is not yet allowed. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Athletic fields, ball diamonds, and other outdoor recreational amenities in Ontario, including the Peterborough region, are again open for public use — but don’t be getting your friends together for a pick-up game.
During her weekly media briefing held Wednesday (May 20), Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said that while the Ontario government has lifted that restriction, a ban on gatherings of more than five people remains very much in place.
“The benefit is that the space is available for use, but the purpose is still restricted,” Dr. Salvaterra explained. “As physical distancing gets lifted and larger groups are able to gather, there may be other uses of that space that can be allowed.”
“The big change is having that space made available for things like walking or running — things you can do as a solitary behaviour.”
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Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, who also attended the briefing, added that city officials discussed this development as recently as Wednesday morning (May 20). She said the city is already receiving calls and emails from sports league organizers requesting clarification and direction.
“Soccer fields are reopen but how do you play with two metres between players?,” Therrien pointed out.
“Saying that those facilities are open is fine, but we need to maintain those barriers. The use of them doesn’t look as it has traditionally looked. It gives people more green space to walk and run around in, but without having that organized sport component.”
Referring to updated COVID-19 data for the region, Dr. Salvaterra noted the total number of positive cases for the region is now 76 — an increase of three cases since over the past week.
She said all three cases are connected to one family member who recently returned from abroad.
Of the positive cases, 69 have been resolved while five cases remain active with two COVID-19 related deaths reported. More than 6,900 people have been tested — 1,300 of them over the past week. One of every 21 residents in Peterborough Public Health’s catchment area has now been tested.
There have been no new outbreaks in the region, with an earlier outbreak at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living involving a staff member who tested positive yet to be resolved.
Gender wise, COVID-19 continues to afflict more females (54 per cent) than males (46 per cent). As for the source of COVID-19 exposure, 51.3 per cent of those who have tested positive had contact with a known case while the remainder contracted the virus via travel abroad (31.6 per cent) or community transmission — which, at 17.1 per cent, is at half the provincial rate.
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Dr. Salvaterra said that, moving forward, lessons learned from the devastating Spanish flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide more than 100 years ago shouldn’t be forgotten.
“It was actually the second wave that was the most deadly,” she notes.
“No one can predict the trajectory of this COVID-19 pandemic. Until we make it to the other side, perhaps in 18 or 24 months, we need to incorporate fast and easy access to testing as part of our reflex reaction to the development of any new or worsening symptoms can signal a COVID infection.”
Also participating in Wednesday’s media briefing was Selwyn mayor and Peterborough board of health chair Andy Mitchell.
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