kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

This report is based on data supplied by the region’s three public health units, as retrieved by province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS). This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We will update each daily report throughout the day to reflect the most current information available. Note that each health unit provides the information in a different way.

Peterborough Public Health

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

Confirmed positive: 44
Confirmed negative: 749
Under investigation: 221
Deaths: 0
Resolved: 10

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: 97 (82* in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Northumberland, 2 in Haliburton)
Hospitalizations: 3
Deaths: 24 (21 in Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon**)

*Provincial direction has changed so now all residents and staff in a long-term care home in an outbreak are to be tested for COVID-19.
**The administrator of Pinecrest Nursing Home has reported 26 deaths as of April 6, 2020.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

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

Confirmed positive: 21
Probable cases: 284
Deaths: 0

Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 4,347
Under investigation: 329
Hospitalized: 589
Hospitalized and in ICU: 216
Hospitalized and in ICU with ventilator: 160
Deaths: 132
Resolved: 1,624

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

If you’ve stopped working and have lost your income because of COVID-19, you can apply for the federal government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) starting on Monday, April 6th.

CERB provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working and are without employment income, or self-employment income, for reasons related to COVID-19.

CERB is for everyone who has lost their income because of COVID-19 — people who have to stay at home, restaurant workers, freelancers, creative workers like musicians and artists, and more. It replaces the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit previously announced on Wednesday, March 18th as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 economic response plan.

Here’s everything you need to know about CERB, including how much you will get, whether you qualify, how and when to apply, and more.

How much do I get and when?

CERB is paid in the amount of $2,000 (equivalent to $500 per week) in fixed blocks of four-week periods. You can receive a maximum of 16 weeks of benefits, up to $8,000 over four months. While the four months do not necessarily have to be consecutive, for most workers they probably will be. You apply every month that you need CERB, up to a maximum of four months.

After you apply for CERB, you receive a lump sum payment of $2,000 to cover a four-week benefit period. You will need to budget this lump sum over the month, as you cannot apply for additional benefits until the next four-week benefit period.

Important note: you have to apply and confirm your eligibility for each four-week period you are eligible for CERB, up to a maximum of four four-week periods. For example, if you apply in April and still need CERB in May, you will need to apply again for CERB in May.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who has lost their employment income or self-employment income because they have stopped working due to COVID-19 is eligible for CERB. The benefit is available to all workers who are Canadian residents, at least 15 years old, who have stopped working because of COVID-19.

You must have earned at least $5,000 in income in either the past 12 months or in all of 2019.

The income may be from any (or a combination of) employment income, self-employment income, or maternity and parental benefits under the employment insurance program (EI). The income does not have to have been earned in Canada, but you must reside in Canada.

For example, if you have been let go from your job or your hours have been reduced to zero because of COVID-19, you are eligible. If you have stopped working because you are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19, or if you have stopped working because you are taking care of others because they are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19, you are eligible. If you have stopped working because you have to take care of children or other dependants because of COVID-19, you are eligible. But only if you aren’t receiving any income — if you are being paid by your employer while you are at home, you are not eligible.

If you are already receiving EI benefits, you are also not eligible for CERB. However, if you have stopped working because of COVID-19 and are eligible for EI but haven’t yet applied for EI, you can apply for CERB instead. In fact, the federal government is encouraging workers to apply for CERB rather than EI, as the EI system was not designed to process the unprecedented volume of applications caused by COVID-19.

If you have already applied for EI but your claim has not been processed yet, you will receive EI regular or sickness benefits if you became eligible for EI prior to March 15th. If you became eligible for EI on or after March 15th, your EI claim will be processed as a CERB application instead, and you will receive the CERB amount regardless of what you may have been entitled to under EI.

If you have been paid EI regular benefits for at least one week of benefits since December 29, 2019 and have used up your entitlement to those benefits, you are elgiible for CERB.

If you are still employed but are no longer receiving income because of disruptions to your work situation due to COVID-19, you are also eligible for CERB. For example, if your employer is protecting your job and expects you will return to work at some point, but is not paying you, you are eligible for CERB.

When you apply to CERB for the very first time, you must have stopped (or will stop working) for at least 14 consecutive days within the four-week benefit period for which you are applying, and have received (or expect to receive) no more than $1,000 in combined employment or self-employment income for these consecutive days.

For any additional four-week benefit period you apply for, you continue to not work (and expect to remain in this position) for the entire four week period for which you are applying, and expect to receive no more than $1,000 in combined employment or self-employment income.

As long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you will not be disqualified for CERB for having non-employment income. You can receive income from non-employment sources while on CERB, including temporary provincial income support, social assistance, workers’ compensation, or pension income. However, you can’t receive any income from employment or self-employment.

Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents — including temporary foreign workers and international students — may be eligible to receive CERB if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Who is NOT eligible?

If you are looking for a job but haven’t stopped working because of COVID-19, you are ineligible for CERB. For example, if you are a student who had a job last year and were planning on working this summer, you do not qualify for the benefit. You must have been receiving employment income or self-employment income that stopped because of COVID-19.

If you are already receiving EI benefits, you are ineligible for CERB. However, if your EI benefits end before October 3, 2020 and you meet the eligibility requirements (including that you stopped work because of COVID-19), you can apply for CERB when your EI benefits end.

If you have already applied for EI and became eligible for EI benefits on or after March 15th, your EI claim will be processed as a CERB application instead, and you will receive the CERB amount regardless of what you may have been entitled to under EI.

If you are on paid sick leave (receiving full or partial employment income), you are not eligible for CERB.

If you are on special benefits such as maternity or parental leave, you are ineligible for CERB. However, if work is unavailable due to COVID-19 upon conclusion of your maternity or parental leave, you may be eligible to apply for CERB.

Can I have any other income?

On April 15, 2020, the federal government expanded the eligibility criteria for CERB to allow people to remain eligible even if they are earning up to $1,000 a month in employment or self-employment income. This expansion allows freelancers, gig workers, part-time workers and others to still earn some income without making them ineligible for the benefit.

When you apply to CERB for the very first time, you must have stopped (or will stop working) for at least 14 consecutive days within the four-week benefit period for which you are applying, and have received (or expect to receive) no more than $1,000 in combined employment or self-employment income for these consecutive days.

For any additional four-week benefit period you apply for, you continue to not work (and expect to remain in this position) for the entire four week period for which you are applying, and expect to receive no more than $1,000 in combined employment or self-employment income.

As long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you can also receive non-employment income and still be eligible for CERB. You can receive income from non-employment sources while on CERB, including temporary provincial income support, social assistance, workers’ compensation, or pension income.

How do I apply?

You can apply for CERB online or by using a toll-free automated phone line.

You apply online using your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account (“My Account”). Before applying, make sure your direct deposit and mailing information is up to date with CRA.

If you don’t have a CRA My Account but you do have a My Service Canada Account, you can sign into CRA using your My Service Canada Account.

If you don’t have either, you can register for a CRA My Account.

You need a CRA account to apply online but, if you do not have a CRA account, you can apply by phone by calling the automated toll-free line at 1-800-959-2019. You will be prompted to enter your social insurance number (SIN) and your postal code to verify your identity, as well as the period for which you are applying.

Both the online and phone services will be available 21 hours a day, seven days a week. They will be closed from 3 to 6 a.m. EDT for maintenance.

CRA will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque, based on the payment method CRA has on file for you. There is no waiting period. Direct deposits will be issued within three business days from the day you submitted your application, with cheques issued within 10 business days from the day you submitted your application. Payments will be retroactive to your eligibility date.

Important note: you have to apply and confirm your eligibility for each four-week period you are eligible for CERB, up to a maximum of four four-week periods. For example, if you apply in April and still need CERB in May, you will need to apply again in May.

If you want to apply online, the federal government recommends that you get ready before applying by logging into your CRA My Account. Check to make sure your mailing address is up to date and, if you want to receive direct deposit, that your banking information is available and current.

On what day should I apply?

Whether you apply for CERB online or by phone, in order to manage service requests, CRA has set up specific days when you should apply, which are based on your month of birth:

• If you were born in January, February, or March, apply for CERB on Mondays, with the first application date on April 6th
• If you were born in April, May, or June, apply for CERB on Tuesdays, with the first application date on April 7th
• If you were born in July, August, or September, apply for CERB on Wednesdays, with the first application date on April 8th
• If you were born in October, November, or December, apply for CERB on Thursdays, with the first application date on April 9th

You can also apply on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays regardless of your month of birth.

Do I need to provide any documentation when I apply?

You do not need to provide any special documentation when applying for CERB.

If you are applying by phone, you must have your social insurance number (SIN) and your postal code to verify your identity.

When applying, you will need to affirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for CERB. Important note: the federal government may verify at a later time the information you provided during the application process — so if you are not honest when applying, it may come back to haunt you later (for example, your taxes may be audited). If you are later found to be ineligible, your will be required to repay the benefit.

When are the CERB four-week benefit periods?

Here are the fixed CERB periods up to September:

• March 15, 2020 to April 11, 2020
• April 12, 2020 to May 9, 2020
• May 10, 2020 to June 6, 2020
• June 7, 2020 to July 4, 2020
• July 5, 2020 to August 1, 2020
• August 2, 2020 to August 29, 2020
• August 30, 2020 to September 26, 2020

After you apply for a CERB period, the next one will become available on the first Monday of the period.

Will I have to pay income taxes on CERB?

CERB is a taxable benefit, but income taxes will not be deducted from your benefit when you receive it. Instead, you will have to report CERB as income when you file your income tax for the 2020 tax year.

You will therefore pay any tax owed, based on your usual 2020 income in addition to CERB, in 2021 when you file your tax return.

I have a question about CERB I can’t find the answer to here

If you have a question you can’t find the answer to here, visit the Government of Canada’s Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA page and the Questions and Answers on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit page.

You can also find answers to common questions by calling CRA’s automated help line at 1-833-966-2099. If you have a more detailed or unusual question, you can speak with a CRA agent in person by calling 1-800-959-8281.

This story has been updated to reflect the expanded eligibility for CERB announced by the federal government on April 15, 2020.

If you know how to sew and have little to do because of the COVID-19 lockdown, here’s an opportunity to put your skills and time to great use.

In the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) needs 1,000 masks every week, and the hospital is calling on the community to help.

“We are grateful for the generous donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) we have received for our healthcare workers,” the hospital states in a media release. “However, there continues to be a worldwide shortage of PPE.”

PRHC is asking for people in the community who know how to sew to make non-medical masks for the use of patients and visitors to the hospital.

The handmade masks will not be used by the hospital’s healthcare workers, who will continue to use certified masks. Instead, they will be given to patients who still need to visit the hospital for necessary care can’t always keep their distance from healthcare workers, approved visitors to the hospital, discharged patients returning to the community, and others in the community to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Most importantly, the availability of handmade masks means the hospital can preserve its certified masks for the use of healthcare providers and support staff.

The hospital is promoting a simple two-ply pleated mask design. Along with standard sewing supplies, you will need dark-coloured polyester fabric for the outside of the mask (or 100 per cent cotton if polyester is not available), light-coloured 100 per cent cotton for the part of the mask that goes against the skin, and elastic or fabric ties.

Clean fabric should be used, although PRHC will also wash all masks before distributing them.

PRHC is accepting mask donations seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the hospital’s main entrance at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough. Enter through the main entrance and a screener will accept the donation. The hospital is requesting masks be placed into a plastic bag with your contact information (name, address, email address, and phone number).

Before you drop them off, the hospital encourages you to share your mask creations social media, tagging the hospital @PRHC1 and using the hashtags #InThisTogether #PRHCstrong #PTBO1000MaskChallenge.

If you have any question about mask donations, you can contact Bonnie Mackey at bmackey@prhc.on.ca or 705-743-2121 ext. 3325.

If you can’t sew but still want to help the hospital’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can make a donation to the PRHC Foundation in support of critical investments in lifesaving equipment and technology and supports for patients and front-line healthcare workers. Donors can also send a special thank you message to PRHC’s doctors, nurses, and staff.

To donate or share your message, visit www.prhcfoundation.ca or call 705-876-5000.

The death toll at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon has risen to 22, after two more residents passed away on Friday (April 3),

“This is an especially trying time for all of us who are part of the Pinecrest community and we are all affected by this loss,” administrator Mary Carr says in a statement.

Families have been informed of the status of their loved ones, Carr says.

The home has sent additional tests to the local health unit, Carr says, and will continue to keep families updated as information becomes available.

As staff at the home continue to provide comfort and care to residents who are ill, the home has increased staffing levels and is are working to add additional supports for its care team.

Processes and measures implemented at the home to help keep residents and the community safe include strict physical distancing of staff working with ill residents as well as those working with healthy residents, wearing full personal protective equipment at all times, and ensuring diligence in all areas of care and in carrying enhanced cleaning techniques.

“Our staff have been astounded by the support from our community,” Carr says.

“We are grateful for the kind words, acts of solidarity, and even homemade food and gifts. This support means the world to us as we work to put residents and families first.”

“Even one loss in our home leaves a lasting mark on our residents, their families, and our care team and these recent deaths have been felt by the whole community.”

Carr also released a video statement updating the community and thanking them for their support.

VIDEO: Pinecrest Nursing Home Statement – April 4, 2020

On Friday (April 3), the Ontario government announced even more businesses that have to close, following alarming projections of 80,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,600 deaths in April.

The list of essential businesses originally established on on March 24th has been revised to exclude businesses previously on the list. The new list includes 44 categories of businesses instead of 73 on the previous list. The updated list of essential businesses is provided below.

All businesses not included in the updated list must close by midnight on Saturday (April 4). The closure will be in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of an extension as the situation evolves.

While it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the old and new list because the format has changed, businesses that are no longer explicitly mentioned on the new list include cannabis stores, bicycle repair, and car and truck dealerships (vehicle repair is still essential).

Specified businesses on the list will be required to provide services by alternate methods such as curbside pick up and delivery, except in exceptional circumstances. These businesses include stores that sell hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet and animal supplies, office supplies, computer products and repairs, and safety supplies.

“We are facing a critical moment in the fight against COVID-19 and we must do everything in our power to keep everyone safe and healthy and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed,” said Premier Ford in making the announcement.

“Everyone must do their part to stop the spread and flatten the curve. If you are not an essential business, you need to close your doors, work from home if possible and play a role to help contain this outbreak. This is a matter of life and death.”

Ford says all supply chains necessary for the production of vital food and healthcare supplies are being protected and remain intact.

The province is also encouraging all businesses to adopt teleworking, online commerce, and other innovative ways of working remotely, which are still permitted.

The updated list of essential workplaces follows alarming predictions released on Friday by Public Health Ontario about the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario will have 80,000 positive COVID-19 cases and 1,600 deaths by the end of April, but that could be reduced to 12,500 cases and 200 deaths with stricter public health protection measures in place.

Even more alarming are the projections had Ontario not put into place the current public health protection measures: 300,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of April with 6,000 deaths.

With current public health measures in place, Ontario is projecting between 3,000 and 15,000 deaths over the course of the pandemic, which is expected to last for 18 to 24 months. Had no measures been put into place, the number of deaths would be 100,000 over the the course of the pandemic

“We have now reached a critical time in our fight against COVID-19.” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health “Every step taken by the province and every effort made by each of us to avoid close contact with others are the key to our success as a province to stop the spread of this virus.”

Construction is one of the key sectors affected by the change to essential businesses. Only critical construction projects will continue, including industrial projects such as refineries and petrochemical plants and infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, roads, and bridges. New starts in residential projects will stop, while only residential construction that is near completion will continue.

“We recognize the toll this outbreak is taking on business owners and workers,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario businesses are top of mind during this unprecedented time. We know that the only way to ensure the health of our businesses and our economy is to ensure the health of all Ontarians.”

Business owners with questions concerning their essential business status are encouraged to call the Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659. The hotline is available from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

List of essential workplaces

• For the purposes of this order, businesses include any-for-profit, non-profit or other entity providing the goods and services described herein.
• This does not preclude the provision of work and services by entities not on this list either online, by telephone or by mail/delivery. This also does not preclude the operation or delivery of services of any publicly funded agency or organization that delivers or supports government operations and services, including operations and services of the health care sector.
• Teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses.

Supply chains

1. Businesses that supply other essential businesses or essential services within Ontario, or that supply businesses or services that have been declared essential in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario, with the support, products, supplies, systems, or services, including processing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, delivery, and maintenance necessary to operate.

Food

2. Businesses that primarily sell food, beverages and consumer products necessary to maintain households and businesses including:
   1. Supermarkets and grocery stores.
   2. Convenience stores.
   3. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries.
   4. Restaurants (take-out, drive-through and delivery service only).
   5. Beer and wine and liquor stores.

Services

3. Pharmacies.
4. Gas stations and other fuel suppliers.
5. Laundromats and drycleaners.
6. Security services for residences, businesses and other properties.
7. Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services.
8. Courier, postal, shipping, moving and delivery services.
9. Funeral and related services.
10. Staffing services including providing temporary help.
11. Veterinary services (urgent care only) and other businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums and research facilities.
12. Home child care services of up to six children as permitted under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, and child care centres for essential workers authorized to operate in accordance with Ontario Regulation 51/20 (Order Under Subsection 7.0.2 (4) of the Act – Closure of Establishments) made under the Act.
13. Hotels, motels, other shared rental accommodation including student residences, except for seasonal campgrounds and any pools, fitness centres, meeting rooms and other recreational facilities that may be part of the operations of these businesses.
14. Cheque cashing services.

Services to the public that are restricted to alternative methods of sale

15. Stores that sell any of the following items and provide them to the customer only through an alternative method of sale such as curb side pick-up or delivery, except in exceptional circumstances:
    1. Hardware products.
    2. Vehicle parts and supplies.
    3. Pet and animal supplies.
    4. Office supplies and computer products including computer repair.
    5. Safety supplies.

Financial services

16. Businesses that provide the following financial services:
    1. Capital markets and related securities trading and advisory services.
    2. Banking/credit union activities including credit intermediation.
    3. Insurance.
    4. Land registration services.
    5. Real estate agent services.
    6. Pension and benefits payment services.
    7. Financial services including payroll and payment processing and accounting and tax services.

Telecommunications and IT infrastructure/service providers

17. Information Technology (IT) services, including online services, software products and the facilities necessary for their operation and delivery.
18. Telecommunications providers and services (phone, internet, radio, cell phones etc.) and facilities necessary for their operation and delivery.
19. Newspapers, radio and television broadcasting.

Maintenance

20. Maintenance, repair and property management services strictly necessary to manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings.

Transportation services

21. Businesses and facilities that provide transportation services, including,
    1. transportation services provided by air, water, road, and rail, including taxis and other private transportation providers, and
    2. support services for transportation services, including,
       1. logistical support, distribution services, warehousing and storage, truck stops and tow operators,
       2. services that support the operations and safety of transportation systems including maintenance and repairs, and
       3. marinas, but only to the extent that the marina is necessary to enable individuals to access their primary place of residence.
22. Businesses that provide and support online retail, including by providing warehousing, storage and distribution of goods that are ordered online.

Manufacturing

23. Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials, including businesses that manufacture inputs to other manufacturers, (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding, component manufacturers, chemicals, etc. that feed the end-product manufacturer), regardless of whether those other manufacturers are inside or outside of Ontario, together with businesses that support and facilitate the movement of goods within integrated North American and global supply chains.

Agriculture and food production

24. Businesses that produce food and beverages, and agricultural products including plants, including by farming, harvesting, aquaculture, hunting and fishing.
25. Businesses that process, manufacture or distribute food, beverages, crops, agricultural products, animal products and by-products.
26. Businesses that support the food or agricultural products supply chains and the health and safety of food, animals and plants.

Construction

27. Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
28. Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
29. Critical industrial construction activities required for,
    1. the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
    2. significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
    3. industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
30. Residential construction projects where,
    1. a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
    2. an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or
    3. the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.
31. Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.

Resources and energy

32. Businesses that provide and ensure the domestic and global continuity of supply of resources, including mining, forestry, aggregates, petroleum, petroleum by-products and chemicals.
33. Electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage and natural gas distribution, transmission and storage.

Community services

34. Businesses that deliver or support the delivery of services including:
    1. Sewage treatment and disposal.
    2. Collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste.
    3. Potable drinking water.
    4. Critical infrastructure repair and maintenance including roads, dams, bridges etc.
    5. Environmental rehabilitation, management and monitoring, and spill clean up and response.
    6. Administrative authorities that regulate and inspect businesses.
    7. Professional and social services that support the legal and justice system.
    8. Government services including but not limited to policing and law enforcement, fire and emergency services, paramedics, coroner and pathology services, corrections and court services, licences and permits.

Research

35. Businesses and organizations that maintain research facilities and engage in research, including medical research and other research and development activities.

Health care and social services

36. Organizations and providers that deliver home care services or personal support services to seniors and persons with disabilities.
37. Businesses that sell, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, aids and/or supplies.
38. Regulated health professionals (urgent care only) including dentists, optometrists, chiropractic services, ophthalmologists, physical and occupational therapists and podiatrists.
39. Organizations that provide health care including retirement homes, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, independent health facilities and mental health and addictions counselling supports.
40. Laboratories and specimen collection centres.
41. Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, including medications, medical isotopes, vaccines and antivirals, medical devices and medical supplies.
42. Manufacturers, distributors and businesses that provide logistical support of or for products and/or services that support the delivery of health care in all locations.
43. Not-for-profit organizations that provide critical personal support services in home or residential services for individuals with physical disabilities.
44. Not-for profit organizations that support the provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals.

Peterborough Public Health is reporting three new cases of COVID 19 in its catchment area, including a resident of the Riverview Manor long-term care residence who is now in self-isolation at the Water Street facility.

During a media briefing on Friday (April 3), Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra noted there have now been 41 positive cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake and Hiawatha. Six of those cases have since been resolved, including that of a member of the Peterborough Police Service who tested positive on March 27 after returning home from a trip abroad.

According to the Peterborough Police Service, the member completed the self-assessment questionnaire on returning home and immediately self-isolated before contacting Peterborough Public Health for testing followed by continued self-isolation. The member, who has had no interaction with work colleagues or the public, is now awaiting clearance to return to work.

To date, 842 COVID-19 tests have been conducted locally with results awaited on 267 of those tested. Another 534 cases have been confirmed negative.

Regarding the Riverview Manor situation, Dr. Salvaterra said COVID-19 tests on three other residents have come back negative with test results on five more residents pending. In addition, five employees have been tested with a negative result reported for one.

“There’s a great deal of activity and interaction (involving long-term care and seniors’ residences),” said Dr. Salvaterra when asked if lessons are being learned from tragedies occurring at other Ontario homes, most notably Pinecrest in Bobcaygeon where 15 residents have now died from COVID-19 related illness.

“We established a community of practice with all of our long-term care facilities and retirement homes weeks ago. We have been engaging with them. We’ve been meeting with them virtually. We’ve been sharing the guidance. We actually had an inspector out doing a checklist with all of our long-term care homes to make sure they are in full compliance with infection prevention and control measures. It is very much an active area of our work and we have dedicated some our best staff to work with these partners.”

Dr. Salvaterra also spoke to the blunt message delivered from Queen’s Park Friday afternoon (April 3) that was as clear as it is alarming: if Ontarians continue to follow physical distancing and other measures in place to lessen the effects of COVID-19, 3,000 to 15,000 will die from the virus.

However, warned Dr. Adalsteinn Brown of the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, if Ontarians let their guard down and stop following public health measures, that figure could rise to 100,000 before the pandemic has run its course which, according to Dr. Peter Donnelly, head of Public Health Ontario, could take as long as 18 months to two years.

“This data paints a picture of the value of what we’re doing, the importance of what we’re doing, and the impact of what we’re doing … we are saving lives,” she says.

“We’re also trying to protect our health care system so we do have enough capacity to take care of those who will get sick.”

Dr. Brown, Dr. Donnelly, and Dr. Matthew Anderson, head of Ontario Health addressed the media, based their forecasts on modelling and projection data compiled to date, and extensively analyzed as per Premier Doug Ford’s direction that the Province be as transparent as possible as to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and its anticipated toll.

As for the area served by the other health unit in the Kawarthas (Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, which includes Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton), the latest numbers from Friday (April 3) indicate there have been 65 positive cases reported and 17 deaths (with 15 deaths associated with the outbreak at Pinecrest Nursing Home). Of the total positive cases, 50 are in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 14 are in Northumberland County, and one is in Haliburton County.

For the most recent information on COVID-19 in Ontario and the Peterborough area, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus or peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre is also providing news, updates, information and resources on its website at prhc.on.ca/cms/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.

Ontario is projecting between 3,000 and 15,000 deaths over the next two years, based on modelling projections for the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario.

Dr. Peter Donnelly, president and CEO of Public Health Ontario, led a technical briefing for the media on Friday (April 3) to explain the models. Matthew Anderson, president and CEO of Ontario Health, and Steini Brown, dean of the University of Toronto’s public health department, also participated.

Donnelly says the modelling projections are based on Ontario doing everything it can to contain COVID-19 over the projected length of the pandemic, which is between 18 months and two years.

“We can change the outcome for the province by staying home and physically distancing from one another,” Donnelly said. “We need everyone to stay focused in the weeks ahead.”

He said that, if Ontario had done nothing, the number of deaths would have been as high as 100,000.

The range of 3,000 and 15,000 deaths depends on whether stricter public health measures can be implemented.

As of Thursday (April 2), the official count of COVID-19 deaths in Ontario is 67. Donnelly said the mortality rate from COVID-19 in Ontario is 16 per cent in those over the age of 80, compared to 20 per cent globally.

Around 1,350 Ontarians die every year from seasonal influenza, Donnelly pointed out. However, the mortality rate from COVID-19 is 10 times higher than the seasonal flu since there is no vaccine and no treatment so far.

Based on modelling, Ontario will have 1,600 deaths from COVID-19 by the end of April, but that could be as low as 200 if all residents follow public health guidelines. Without any intervention, the death count would have been 6,000 by the end of April.

Ontario is also projected to have 80,000 positive COVID-19 cases by the end of April based on current intervention measures, but it could be reduced to 12,500 cases if stricter measures are implemented. Without any intervention at all, the number of positive cases would have been as high as 300,000 in April.

A slide deck was presented during the media conference with details of the projections. You can download a PDF version.

“We need you to help us change the outcomes for Ontarians by staying at home and physically distancing,” the deck reads. “Our public health measures so far have made a difference and we need everyone to stay focused on these: stay home, stop the spread, stay safe.”

Future additional public health measures could reduce both the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths. These include:

• Reduce the number and types of essential workplaces.
• Enhance focus on enforcement and fines for non-compliance.
• Expand direction/guidance on physical distancing, including retail settings.
• Enhanced support for elderly, homeless and other vulnerable populations and communities.
• Consider entry restrictions in some communities including First Nations.
• Human resource management (movement of health care workers between settings).
• Use of technology to reinforce self-isolation (alerts).
• Additional public education and communication (shelter in place with limited exceptions).

The slide deck also provided a best and worst case scenario for Ontario’s capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Currently, 410 additional ICU beds are available for COVID-19 patients, in addition to those beds already filled by COVID-19 patients. An expansion of another 900 ICU beds is already planned for additional COVID-19 patients.

In the best case scenario, where the curve is flattened, these 900 additional beds would be enough to treat COVID-19 patients requiring an ICU bed during the month of April and beyond. However, in the worst case scenario, where the curve is not flattened, the ICU beds would be filled by April 15th and, by April 30th, there would be a shortage of 2,200 ICU beds.

The local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to extend into late spring and summer.

The Canadian Canoe Museum — Canada’s national canoe museum — has announced it will now remain closed until the end of June.

The museum, located at 910 Monaghan Road in Peterborough, made the announcement on Friday (April 3).

“At this time, we will be extending the closure until approximately June 30,” reads a statement from museum executive director Carolyn Hyslop and museum board chair John Ronson. “Between now and then, we will be following daily developments, along with the direction of public health officials. We look forward to reopening as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The museum says the decision to remain closed has an “incredible impact”, including the loss of most of the museum’s revenue and temporary staff layoffs.

“Similar to some of the challenges being faced by cultural organizations across the country and beyond, the closure of our museum means no admission fees, events or fundraising, school group visits, space rentals, store sales, or workshops,” Hyslop and Ronson write. “This equates to an 85 per cent reduction in revenue and in turn, the requirement to issue temporary layoff notices to the majority of our staff members.”

The museum and its galleries have been closed to the public since Saturday, March 14th, and all initiatives and programming was postponed. The museum had tentatively planned to reopen on Monday, April 6th, but this was before more recent COVID-19 developments.

“While this step will ensure the financial sustainability of the organization on the other side of the closure, it was one of the most difficult we have ever had to take,” Hyslop and Ronson write.

“To say that our staff members are completely committed and dedicated to our organization is an absolute understatement. These caring, creative individuals go above and beyond as they take every opportunity to share the stories the collection carries, and they are a critical component of our organization.”

The museum has also relied on 180 volunteers, who contribute to every area of the museum’s operation. Hyslop and Ronson say the museum will keep in touch with volunteers during the closure.

Ronson and Hyslop also write that, while the museum is closed, a small team will maintain communication with stakeholders and supporters and ensure the museum’s collection of watercraft is cared for.

The team will also continue planning for the new museum to be built beside the Peterborough Lift Lock, although it is not yet clear how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect those plans.