Peterborough Public Health has confirmed two new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to seven the total number of cases in Peterborough city and county, Hiawatha, and Curve Lake.

Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra shared that news during her daily media briefing on Wednesday morning (March 25).

Of the two new cases, one is a female, age 65, whose exposure occurred at a nursing home in Bobcaygeon. She has one contact identified by Peterborough Public Health.

The second case is a male in his 20s, whose contact was with another positive case outside of the city. Both are in self-isolation.

To date, 455 COVID-19 tests have been conducted with results awaited on 282 of those tested. Another 166 cases have been confirmed negative.

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), there have been 12 positive cases, including one death.

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.

What to do if you think you may have COVID-19

1. Complete the COVID-19 self-assessment at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment.
2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 ext. 401.
3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms.

With many of us sheltering at home due to COVID-19, we have nowhere to go — but it’s a whole lot cheaper to get there.

Gas prices plunged again on Wednesday (March 24), dropping to around 65 cents per litre from Tuesday’s low of around 74 cents a litre.

The last time prices were this low was in 2003, when the average price was 65.8 cents per litre.

The lower prices are a result of a decline of oil prices due to an ongoing oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia and less demand for gas as people stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the pricing war between Russia and Saudi Arabia continues, petroleum analysts say the price of gas could continue to plummet.

If your car runs on diesel, you’re not getting much of a price break.

Diesel fuel remains at over $1 per litre and may go higher, as the trucking industry that helps keep the supply chain moving uses diesel.

Despite the low prices, gas stations have few customers as most people are heeding the advice of public health officials to stay at home.

The City of Peterborough will be using Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at Fleming College for emergency shelter space during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will provide more space in the existing emergency shelter network for people who need to practice social distancing, according to a media release from the city.

As part of the city’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Drive was closed to the public on Saturday, March 14th, with all scheduled programs and events cancelled or postponed.

Brock Mission and the overflow shelter bed program will be temporarily relocated to identified areas in the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

The space may also be used as secondary shelter space for Cameron House and YES Shelter for Youth and Families to allow for social distancing within those shelters.

“We are urging people in our community to stay home as much as possible to practice social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19,” says Mayor Diane Therrien. “For people who don’t have a home, that’s not possible. We’re providing more shelter space to spread out the existing beds in our shelter network to help protect the health of some of the most vulnerable people in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the city’s media release, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre with its numerous rooms and washroom amenities provides much needed flexibility for the shelter network.

The city is working with Peterborough Public Health, the existing shelter operators (Brock Mission and YES Shelter for Youth and Families), and Fourcast (which delivers homelessness services) to continue to provide services for people who are homeless.

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith was also involved, offering provincial facilities to support the community.

“Our community is working together,” Mayor Therrien says. “It’s taking action for the health and safety of people during this difficult time.”

As the COVID-19 situaiton develops, the city may make additional decisions affecting municipal services and facilities. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, visit www.peterborough.ca/covid19.

The day after the city and county of Peterborough jointly declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Kawartha Lakes has done the same.

Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham made the declaration on Tuesday (March 24).

He said the state of emergency declaration will allow the municipality to mobilize local resources where needed to support front-line healthcare partners and emergency services to support the COVID-19 pandemic efforts.

“The situation before us is accelerating,” Mayor Letham said. “There will be more positive cases in the coming days. Our front-line healthcare workers are in need of additional support. By declaring a state of emergency, we are able to deploy municipal resources to help the health care system fight the spread of COVID-19 and care for those who have become ill.”

“This is a worldwide pandemic. Closer to home, the province has called a state of emergency. We support the province and our declaration is in line with those decisions. It’s a community response. The lines of government fall away and we all need to work together.”

VIDEO: Kawartha Lakes declares State of Emergency

All municipal buildings and all non-essential services have been closed to the public, with all municipal resources now solely focused on the COVID-19 pandemic response, emergency services, and supporting vulnerable populations. For a list of municipal closures and service reductions, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca.

For more information about the City of Kawarthas Lakes’ response to COVID-19 and additional resources, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/covid19.

Peterborough Public Health reports two new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to five the total number of cases in Peterborough city and county, Hiawatha and Curve Lake.

Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra shared that news during her daily media briefing on Tuesday morning (March 24).

Of the two new cases, one is a woman with a travel history with, at this point, five contacts identified by Peterborough Public Health.

The other is a man who attended a bonspiel in Edmonton, Alberta. His contacts are being determined.

Both are in self-isolation, as are the previous three people who have tested positive.

In addition, 283 cases remain under investigation with 140 cases tested negative to date.

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), there have been 12 positive cases, including one death.

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.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has moved its COVID-19 assessment centre from the emergency department (ED) to a mobile site, and has completed upgrades to its main entrance — which now features touch-free sliding doors.

Patient and visitor access to the hospital building will be through the main entrance sliding doors, where screening measures continue to be in effect 24 hours a day.

The ED entrance remains open for emergency care only, with COVID-19 screening also in effect at the ED doors.

The Cancer Care entrance is now closed to public access.

Most visitor presence at PRHC is now suspended with some exceptions. Patients and visitors coming to PRHC must clean their hands well upon arrival and frequently while at the hospital.

Anyone whose travel history and/or symptoms indicate they may be at risk of having COVID-19 will receive direction from the screener.

Assessments at the mobile COVID-19 assessment centre are available by appointment only, after patients have completed the following steps:

1. Complete the COVID-19 self-assessment at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment.
2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 ext. 401
3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms.

Patients should go to PRHC’s assessment centre only as directed by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario. Members of the public who come to the assessment centre without an appointment will not be seen.

The Ontario government has released a list of 74 types of “essential workplaces” that can remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the list so long and inclusive it may be more difficult to identify a business that doesn’t qualify as “essential”.

On Monday (March 23), Premier Doug Ford announced the Ontario government is expanding its order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to mandate the closure of “at-risk workplaces” to protect the health and safety of employees and the general public.

The previous workplaces already closed under the emergency order of March 17, 2020 remain closed (bars, eat-in-only restaurants, concert venues, and more). The new list applies to both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations.

“Essential workplaces” include grocery stores and convenience stores, delivery and takeout food services (including those provided by otherwise-closed restaurants), drug stores and pharmacies, liquor and beer stores, cannabis stores, pet stores and veterinarians, farms and farm suppliers, gas stations and automotive supply and repair, car rental agencies, taxis, hotels and motels, electricians and plumbers, bike repair services, hardware and office supply stores, financial services including banks and insurance companies, construction and mining companies, medical suppliers, health care and social services providers, lawyers and accountants, laundromats and dry cleaners, realtor services, and more.

Non-essential workplaces would appear to include clothing stores, jewellery stores, sports and outdoor equipment stores, games and toy stores, hair salons, flower and garden stores, book stores, and thrift stores. There are just a few examples, as there is no comprehensive list of non-essential workplaces. A business would need to review the full list (provided below) to determine whether it is considered essential.

Online commerce (and teleworking) is permitted at all times for all businesses, whether or not they are on the essential list. Non-essential businesses only need to close their physical workspace where customers and employees might congregate. So, far example, a book retailer with an online store could continue to operate as long as it closes its brick-and-mortar shop.

All non-essential workplaces must close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th and, where possible, take the necessary measures so staff can work from home allowing operations to continue.

List of Essential Workplaces

Supply chains

1. Businesses that supply other essential businesses or essential services with the support, supplies, systems or services, including processing, packaging, distribution, delivery and maintenance necessary to operate

Retail and Wholesaling

2. Businesses engaged in the retail and wholesale sale of food, pet food and supplies, and household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences and businesses, including grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers
3. Businesses that provide essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including feed, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding
4. Beer, wine and liquor stores and alcohol producers, and stores that sell beer and wine through arrangements with authorized providers; cannabis stores and cannabis producers
5. Gas stations, diesel, propane and heating fuel providers including providers of motor vehicle, aircraft and water/marine craft fuels
6. Motor vehicle, auto-supply, auto and motor-vehicle-repair, including bicycle repair, aircraft repair, heavy equipment repair, watercraft/marine craft repairs, car and truck dealerships and related facilities
7. Hardware stores and stores that provide hardware products necessary to the essential operations of residences and businesses
8. Business providing pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical services, including pharmacies and dispensaries
9. Businesses that supply office products and services, including providing computer products and related repair and maintenance services, for individuals working from home and for essential businesses
10. Safety supply stores (e.g., work clothes, Personal Protective Equipment)

Food Services and Accommodations

11. Restaurants and other food facilitiesthat prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, together with food delivery services
12. Hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities, including student residences

Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial  Maintenance

13. Businesses that provide support and maintenance services, including urgent repair, to maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial industrial and residential properties and buildings, including, property management services,plumbers, electricians, custodial/janitorial workers, cleaning services, security services, fire safety and sprinkler systems, building systems maintenance and repair technicians and engineers, mechanics, (e.g., HVAC, escalator and elevator technicians), and other service providers who provide similar services

Telecommunications and IT Infrastructure/Service Providers

14. Businesses engaged in providing or supporting Information Technology (IT) including online services, software products and related services, as well as the technical facilities such as data centres and other network facilities necessary for their operation and delivery
15. Businesses providing telecommunications services (phone, internet, radio, cell phones etc) as well as support facilities such as call centres necessary for their operation and delivery

Transportation

16. Taxis and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for activities of daily living
17. Businesses and facilities that provide transportation services to businesses and individuals including by air, water, road, and rail including providing logistical support, distribution services, warehousing and storage, including truck stops and tow operators
18. Businesses that provide materials and services for the operation, maintenance and safety of transportation systems (road, transit, rail, air and marine) including delivery of maintenance services such as clearing snow, response to collisions, and completing needed repairs to the transportation systems

Manufacturing and Production

19. 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)
20. that feed the end-product manufacturer)
21. Businesses, facilities and services that support and facilitate the two-way movement of essential goods within integrated North American and Global supply chains

Agriculture and food production

21. Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture, produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops, animal products and by-products, aquaculture, hunting and fishing
22. Businesses that support the food supply chain including assembly yards, livestock auctions, food distribution hubs, feed mills, farm equipment suppliers, feed suppliers, food terminals and warehouses, animal slaughter plants and grain elevators
23. Businesses that support the safety of food including animal and plant health and animal welfare
24. Businesses that provide veterinary services, and that supply veterinary and animal control medications and related supplies and testing kits
25. Businesses that help to ensure safe and effective waste management including deadstock, rendering, nutrient management, bio hazardous materials, green waste, packaging recycling

Construction

26. 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
27. Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance
28. Construction work and services, including demolition services, in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors
29. Construction work and services that supports health and safety environmental rehabilitation projects

Financial activities

30. Capital markets (e.g., the TSX)
31. Banking & Activities related to Credit Intermediation; credit unions
32. Insurance
33. Businesses that provide pension services and employee benefits services
34. Businesses that provide financial services including payment processing, the payroll division of any employer (as defined by the Employment Standards Act/Occupational Health and Safety Act), any entity whose operation is the administration of payroll, banks and credit unions

Resources

35. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of mining materials and products (e.g., metals such as copper, nickel and gold) and that support supply chains in Northern Ontario including: (a) Mining operations, production and processing; (b) Mineral exploration and development; (c) Mining Supply and Services that ssupport supply chains in the mining industry including maintenance of operations, health and safety
36. Businesses that provide chemicals and gases to support the natural resource sector analytical labs and drinking water and wastewater sectors and other essential businesses
37. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of forestry products (e.g., lumber, pulp, paper, wood fuel)
38. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of aggregates to support critical infrastructure repairs and emergency response requirements (e.g., sandbags, armour stone barriers)
39. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of petroleum and petroleum by-products

Environmental Services

40. Businesses that support environmental management/monitoring and spill clean-up and response, including environmental consulting firms, professional engineers and geoscientists, septics haulers, well drillers, pesticides applicators and exterminators, management of industrial sewage/effluent (eg for mining operations), and environmental laboratories

Utilities and Community Services

41. Utilities and businesses that support the provision of utilities and community services, including by providing products, materials and services needed for the delivery of utilities and community services, including: (a) waste collection, waste/ sewage treatment and disposal, operation of landfills, and hazardous waste disposal; (b) potable drinking water; (c) electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage; (d) natural gas distribution, transmission and storage; (e) road construction and maintenance; (f) police, fire, emergency services including coroner services and pathology services; (g) corrections and courts services; (h) other government services including licenses and permits
42. Businesses engaged in or supporting the operation, maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure (railways, dams, bridges, highways, erosion control structures, etc.)

Communications Industries

43. Newspaper publishers
44. Radio & Television Broadcasting
45. Telecommunications providers

Research

46. Businesses and organizations that maintain research facilities and engage in research, including medical research and other research and development activities
47. Businesses that provide products and services that support research activities

Health Care and Seniors Care and Social Services

48. Organizations and providers that deliver home care services
49. Retirement homes
50. Long-term Care Facilities
51. Independent health facilities
52. Laboratories and specimen collection centres
53. Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, including medications, medical isotopes, vaccines and antivirals; medical devices and medical supplies
54. Manufacturers, logistics and distributors of products and/or services that support the delivery of health care in all locations (including but not limited to hospitals, labs, long-term care homes, other residential health care, physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives, and home care services)
55. Businesses that provide products and/or services that support the health sector or that provide health services, including mental health and addictions and counselling supports
56. Businesses that sell, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, aids and/or supplies
57. Businesses that provide personal support services (many seniors and persons with disabilities, who can afford to, hire individuals to assist with the activities of daily living)
58. Health care professionals providing emergency care including dentists optometrists and physio-therapists
59. Not-for-profit organizations that provide critical personal support services in home and also provide residential services for individuals with physical disabilities (such as the Centre for Independent Living and March of Dimes)
60. Businesses and all other 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, including but not limited to food banks, violence against women emergency shelters, homeless shelters, community housing, supportive housing, children’s aid societies, residential services for adults with developmental disabilities and for children, and custody and detention programs for young persons in conflict with the law

Justice Sector

61. Professional and social services that support the legal and justice system

Other Businesses

62. Rental and leasing services, including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental
63. Businesses providing mailing, shipping, courier and delivery services, including post office boxes
64. Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
65. Professional services including lawyers and para-legals, engineers, accountants, translators
66. Businesses providing funeral, mortician, cremation, transfer, and burial services, and any related goods and products (such as coffins and embalming fluid)
67. Land registration services, and real estate agent services and moving services
68. Businesses providing security services including private security guards; monitoring or surveillance equipment and services
69. Businesses providing staffing services, including temporary help
70. Businesses that support the safe operations of residences and essential businesses
71. Businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including veterinarians, farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums, research facilities and other service providers
72. Child care services for essential workers, and home child care services of less than six children
73. Businesses providing cheque cashing services

Business Regulators and Inspectors

74. Organizations, including Administrative Authorities, that regulate and inspect businesses

Thanks to the generosity of the Peterborough community, including the efforts of volunteers, a total of 22,707 pounds of food donations has been collected for Kawartha Food Share to restock their empty shelves.

During the “Spare A Square” city-wide porch food drive, Peterborough residents were asked to leave bags filled non-perishable food items and a roll or two of toilet paper on their porch on Monday (March 23).

Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers drove around the city to collect the items and deliver them to Kawartha Food Share’s warehouse.

In accordance with social distancing directives, the volunteers were in their own vehicles and had no face-to-face contact with people who leave bags on their front porch.

Even though volunteers did an amazing job collecting the donations, especially during a minor snow storm, some bags may have been missed.

If your bag wasn’t picked up, Kawartha Food Share is asking you to drop the donations in a collection bin located in all local grocery stores, or in the donation bins located outside of Kawartha Food Share’s warehouse at 665 Neal Drive in Peterborough.

Kawartha Food Share assists more than 8,900 people every month through 11 food banks and 20 food cupboards in the city and county of Peterborough as well as through four meal programs and six housing projects.

Those people, including families with children, who rely on Kawartha Food Share every month are particularly vulnerable. And if people on limited incomes cannot get needed items at grocery stores, they will turn to a food bank.