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Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 24, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

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

Here’s today summary: there are 81 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 148 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 2 new cases, reported in the Peterborough area. Note: the most recent report from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is May 22; the next report will be available on May 25.

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 25,500 confirmed cases, an increase of 460 from yesterday, with 19,477 cases resolved, an increase of 331. There have been 2,073 deaths, an increase of 25 from yesterday, with 1,300 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 18. A total of 611,369 tests have been completed, an increase of 11,383 from yesterday, with 3,216 tests under investigation, a decrease of 2,655.

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.

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Peterborough Public Health

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

Confirmed positive: 81 (increase of 2)
Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable
Results pending: Data currently unavailable
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 70 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: Over 7,150
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: 171, including 148 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 8 (no change)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 143 (increase of 2)
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)

 

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*

*Based on last update on May 22. Next update will be on May 25.

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 25,500 (increase of 460)
Hospitalized: 878 (decrease of 34)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 148 (increase of 1)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 104 (decrease of 15)
Deaths: 2,073 (increase of 25)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,300 (increase of 18, 62.7% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 611,369 (increase of 11,383)
Tests under investigation: 3,216 (decrease of 2,655)
Resolved: 19,477 (increase of 331)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 23, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend of the rate of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 23, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend of the rate of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

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

More summer-like weather on the way, raising concerns about crowds at beaches and parks in the Kawarthas

By kawarthaNOW -
Pre-pandemic crowds at Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg, popular with both residents and out-of-town visitors from Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)

The hot weather being forecast for next week is raising questions about the potential for crowds at beaches and parks in the Kawarthas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 29°C (with the humidex making it feel like 34°C), followed by two days of 30°C temperatures on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Along with the many municipally operated parks, there are almost 100 public beaches across the Kawarthas. This will be the first time during pandemic that we’ve experienced several days in a row of hot weather, raising concerns that crowds of people may flood parks and beaches to find relief from the heat — especially since municipal splash pads and wading pools remain closed.

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That’s what happened on Saturday (May 23) at Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto, when an estimated 10,000 people packed themselves into the park after it was reopened to the public.

Almost everyone in the crowd was ignoring physical distancing guidelines and there were many individual groupings of more than five people, breaking the province’s emergency order that prohibits such gatherings. And, contrary to the recent recommendations of both the federal and provincial governments, there was not a face covering in sight.

“People were engaging in just incredibly disappointing behaviour,” says Toronto mayor John Tory, who said he will considering closing the park to the public if flagrant violations of public safety directives continue.

While police officers were at Trinity Bellwoods Park, they did not issue any tickets as they felt they could not safely navigate the crowds to do so.

In Peterborough, the popular beaches at Beavermead Park and Roger’s Cove remain closed, as do splash pads and wading pools in parks. However, picnic areas and shelters at parks have reopened.

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Peterborough beaches, splash pads, and wading pools remain closed

The parking lots at Beavermead Park and Roger’s Cove were filled with cars on Saturday (May 23). Although most people appeared to be adhering to physical distancing directives, there were some small gatherings of people fishing and having picnics.

In Kawartha Lakes, all outdoor recreational amenities remain closed, including all beaches.

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In Cobourg in Northumberland County, while splash pads and wading pools in parks remain closed, the municipality has reopened its popular Victoria Beach.

Town council decided on May 11th to keep the beach open and enforce physical distancing guidelines, rather than to close the beach and erect fencing and barriers while the province’s state of emergency continues.

On the Victoria Day long weekend, hundreds of people were on the beach according to deputy mayor Suzanne Seguin. Some councillors expressed particular concerns about out-of-town visitors coming to the beach, and agreed to revisit the issue at its next meeting on June 1st.

In the interim, by-law officers will be monitoring Victoria Beach to enforce the restriction on gatherings of more than five people.

After 12 days of daily increases of less than 400 for new COVID-19 cases in the province, Ontario has seen four straight days of increases of over 410 cases, leading some people to speculate whether warmer weather earlier in May has increased the spread of the virus. On Sunday (May 24), there were 460 new cases — the highest daily increase since May 7th.

 

The story has been updated with the latest COVID-19 case count from Ontario Public Health.

Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 23, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

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, 148 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 1 case, with 1 new case reported in Kawartha Lakes. Note: the most recent report from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is May 22; the next report will be available on May 25.

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 25,040 confirmed cases, an increase of 412 from yesterday, with 19,146 cases resolved, an increase of 279. There have been 2,048 deaths, an increase of 27 from yesterday, with 1,282 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 20. A total of 599,986 tests have been completed, an increase of 11,028 from yesterday, with 5,871 tests under investigation, an increase of 355.

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.

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Peterborough Public Health

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

Confirmed positive: 79 (no change)
Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable
Results pending: Data currently unavailable
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 69 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 7,200
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: 171, including 148 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 2)
Probable cases: 8 (decrease of 1)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 141 (increase of 2)
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)

 

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*

*Based on last update on May 22. Next update will be on May 25.

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 25,040 (increase of 412)
Hospitalized: 912 (decrease of 49)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 147 (decrease of 6)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 119 (decrease of 1)
Deaths: 2,048 (increase of 27)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,282 (increase of 20, 62.6% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 599,986 (increase of 11,028)
Tests under investigation: 5,871 (increase of 355)
Resolved: 19,146 (increase of 279)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 22, 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)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 22, 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)

 

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

Nine things you may not know about trilliums

By kawarthaNOW -
The white trillium (trillium grandiflorum) is Ontario's official floral emblem. Although the trillium is a perennial plant, as a spring ephemeral it's very fragile, which is why picking it is a bad idea. It takes up to 10 years before the plant produces its first bloom, which lasts for around three weeks in the early spring. (Photo: Ontario Parks)

Trilliums are in full bloom in forests and woodlands across Ontario, with many photos of the memorable flower being shared across social media.

People are most familiar with the white trillium (trillium grandiflorum), which is Ontario’s official flower, but there are actually 50 species of trillium native to temperate regions of North America and Asia.

Here are nine things you may not know about trilliums:

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1. Trillium roots were once used to treat wounds and during childbirth

The trillium is also known as birthroot or birthwort, because of how the plants were used medicinally.

The roots of several species contain chemical compounds called sapogenins that act as astringents, antiseptics, coagulants, expectorants, and uterine stimulants. North America’s indigenous peoples used the roots to treat open wounds and inflammation, and during childbirth.

Another name for the trillium is the wakerobin — because the flowers appear in early spring before robins begin to appear.

The “tri” in the Latin word trillium means three, referring to the plant’s three leaves, three petals, and three stigmas (pollen receptors) in the flower.

 

2. If you pick a trillium bloom, the plant may not survive

Although the trillium is a perennial plant, as a spring ephemeral it’s very fragile.

The trillium blooms for a few weeks in the early spring, before the trees grow leaves, so it can get more sunlight. During this time, it collects all the nutrients in needs to survive until the following year.

If you pick the bloom, the plant won’t be able to collect sunlight and nutrients and it may take years to recover — or it may never recover.

 

There’s a pervasive myth that it’s against the law in Ontario to pick trilliums.

The reasons for this belief may be because the trillium is Ontario’s official flower, or because picking the bloom can damage or kill the plant, or maybe because the removal of any vegetation is prohibited in Ontario provincial parks (where trilliums are often found).

In 2009, it did almost became illegal to pick trilliums in Ontario. That’s when former Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and rural affairs minister Jeff Leal introduced a private members’ bill called the Ontario Trillium Protection Act.

That legislation would have made it illegal to pick or dig up the white trillium. Doing so would have resulted in a minimum $500 fine. However, although the bill passed first reading, it never became law.

 

4. The trillium became Ontario’s official floral emblem in 1937

On March 25, 1937, the Province of Ontario chose the trillium as its official floral emblem (official flower).

The Floral Emblem Act contains a single line: “The flower known botanically as the trillium grandiflorum and popularly known as the white trillium is the floral emblem of the Province of Ontario.”

During the First World War, there was a movement for Canada to choose a national floral emblem — a flower that could be planted on the graves of Canadian servicemen overseas.

A special committee of botanists to the Ontario Horticultural Association recommended the trillium be selected as the national floral emblem. A national flower was never chosen, but Ontario subsequently adopted the trillium for its own provincial flower.

 

5. The trillium has been the Ontario government’s official logo since 1964

A stylized version of the trillium has been the Ontario government’s official logo since 1964, when it was first created by the Progressive Conservative government of John Robarts.

The original trillium symbol and logotype — an “O” for Ontario with a stylized trillium inside it — was designed by Norman B. Hathaway and Wolfgang Letzin of former Toronto design firm Hathaway-Templeton.

An updated version was designed by Ernst Barenscher at Norman B. Hathaway Associates in 1972, at the request of the Progressive Conservative government of Bill Davis.

The Ontario government's trillium logo when it was created in 1964, when it was changed to the much-maligned "three men in a hot tub" version in 2006, and as it appears today.
The Ontario government’s trillium logo when it was created in 1964, when it was changed to the much-maligned “three men in a hot tub” version in 2006, and as it appears today.

Over the next 24 years, the logo pretty much remained the same. Then, in 2006, the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty completely revamped the logo.

The new logo quickly became known as the “three men in a hot tub” logo — once you see it, you can’t unsee it — and was widely criticized both for its design and cost.

In 2019, the Progressive Conservative government of Doug Ford restored the logo to its original design with some variations.

 

6. Trilliums have a symbiotic relationship with ants

The seeds of the trillium are mainly distributed by ants, which are attracted to a fleshy structure attached to the seeds called the elaiosome.

The elaiosome is rich with nutrients, which the ants eat after they carry the seeds back to their nests.

The ants then discard the elaiosome-free seeds, either leaving them inside the earth (which protects the seeds from predators) or by ejecting them from their nests. The seeds eventually germinate and sprout into new plants.

This method of seed dispersal by ants is not unique to trilliums — it’s called myrmecochory and is used by many flowering plant species.

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7. White-tailed deer love to eat trilliums — especially the white ones

As any gardener in cottage country knows, white-tailed deer love to eat flowers and the trillium is no exception.

The large patches of trilliums that appear in Ontario woodlands in early spring make them a favourite food of the deer.

White-tailed deer are especially partial to the white trillium. They generally only eat the larger flowers, leaving smaller ones behind. The deer also help to disperse trillium seeds, but at much greater distances than ants.

In fact, many Ontario provincial parks use annual trillium surveys to understand the population density of white-tailed deer and their effect on the understory.

 

8. It takes a trillium plant up to 10 years to produce its first flower

Trilliums are very slow-growing plants.

The plant’s seeds normally take at least two years to fully germinate, with the plant itself taking between seven to 10 years to reach flowering size.

After the plant produces its first flower, it will bloom annually in early spring, with the bloom lasting for around three weeks.

Trilliums are phototropic plants, meaning that the blooms will bend towards the sun as it moves across the sky.

After the first bloom, a trillium will live another 10 to 13 years — but only if you don’t damage them.

 

9. The drooping trillium is an endangered species in Ontario

There are five native trillium species found in Ontario — the white trillium, red trillium, pinted trillium, nodding trillium, and drooping trillium — but only the latter is endangered.

In Canada, drooping trillium only grows in southwestern Ontario in the warmer climate of the Carolinian forest. There were once six known locations in the province, but today there are only two: along the Sydenham River in Middlesex County and along the Thames River in Elgin County.

The greatest threat to the drooping trillium is habitat loss and degradation caused by urban development, or habitat alteration and damage due to recreational activities such as hiking and ATV use.

You can brighten the day of Pinecrest Nursing Home residents by sending them a letter

By kawarthaNOW -
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.

Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 22, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

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.

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Peterborough Public Health

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

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)
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)

 

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

Two hikers found safe after getting lost in Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands provincial park on Thursday

By kawarthaNOW -
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.

Peterborough beaches, splash pads, and wading pools remain closed

By kawarthaNOW -
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.

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Related story

Sports fields are open to public but ban on social gatherings means no team play

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.

Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 21, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

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

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)
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)

 

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

Ontario Premier Ford wants to expand COVID-19 testing to broader public

By kawarthaNOW -
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)
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.

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