Peterborough Public Health reports no new cases of COVID-19 in the Peterborough area over the weekend.

Medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra shared that news during her daily media briefing on Monday morning (March 23), noting the local count of positive cases holds steady at three. All three are self-isolating at home.

In addition, a total of 276 people in the city and county of Peterborough, Hiawatha and Curve Lake have been tested for COVID-19 to date.

Meanwhile, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien said that during a conference call on the weekend with MP Maryam Monsef, MPP Dave Smith, and County Warden J. Murray Jones, the prevailing concern was that not all people are self-isolating.

That, she added, must change and must change now.

“Peterborough is not taking this seriously enough,” said Mayor Therrien.

The first death related to COVID-19 in the Kawarthas — which was also the first case of community transmission — was reported on Sunday (March 22) by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

A man in his 80s was admitted to Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay last Thursday (March 19) with a high fever and influenza-like illness. Tests were conducted and late on Saturday (March 21) it was confirmed the man tested positive for COVID-19. He passed away the following afternoon with both pneumonia and COVID-19 listed as the cause of 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.

After receiving an increase in noise complaints, Peterborough police are reminding residents that the city by-law against noise still applies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize that due to social distancing measures in place some people are now spending more time indoors and are having small gatherings,” says Inspector John Lyons. “We have certainly seen an increase in noise complaints over the past several days especially regarding loud music being played.”

The City of Peterborough’s noise by-law prohibits any noise that is likely to disturb. This is a broad definition that incorporates various sources of noise, including loud voices and music. Contrary to popular belief, the by-law is in effect 24 hours a day.

Those who are making noise should also realize that, due to self-isolating and social distancing, many people are now working from home.

“We remind citizens that we have a zero tolerance approach to this behaviour and that either a person can be charged for making the noise OR permitting the noise,” Lyons says. “We ask that residents be mindful and respectful of their neighbours who are likely also at home and may also be social distancing or self-isolating. Dispatching officers to these complaints also depletes valuable resources that may be required for higher priority calls.”

The fine under the noise by-law is $125 for a first offence. For subsequent offences, a summons may be issued, compelling the person to attend court, where the fines could reach a maximum of $2,000.

Should matters progress to extremes, where someone purposefully continues to flout the by-law, police may lay a criminal charge of mischief under the Criminal Code, which is defined as wilfully obstructing, interrupting, or interfering with “the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property.”

On Friday (March 20), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) issued a media release advising how police would be using new fines to enforce compliance with the state of emergency declared in Ontario for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has created some confusion among some people, who are wondering why police aren’t enforcing public health recommendations.

We hope to clear up some of that confusion here.

What are the new fines being used by the police?

The OPP says the Provincial Offences Act has been updated to include three new offences with set fines for those who do not comply with Ontario’s state of emergency.

This includes a $750 fine for failure to comply with an order made during a declared emergency, a $1,000 fine for obstructing any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency, and a $1,000 fine for obstructing any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency. Corporations can be fined $500,000.

Any of these fines can be applied on each day that an offence occurs or continues.

Who do these fines apply to?

Prior to March 24, 2020, the fines described by the OPP were only applicable to certain types of businesses and organizations included in the state of emergency that was made on March 17, 2020 under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

These are specifically: bars and restaurants (except for the provision of takeout and food delivery), facilities providing indoor recreational programs, public libraries, private schools, licensed child care centres, movie cinemas and theatres (including those offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms), and concert venues. So, if an owner or operator of a type of business or organization that is on the above list remains open during the state of emergency, an offence has occurred and the owner or operator may be fined.

However, on March 23, 2020, the Ontario government expanded its state of emergency to order the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces effective as of Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m. for 14 days (see the list of essential workplaces).

This means that, effective Tuesday, March 24th, the fines will also apply to any business not deemed essential by the Ontario government that remains open.

In addition, the March 17th state of emergency also prohibited any organized public event of over 50 people, including parades, events, and communal services within places of worship. However, on March 28, 2020, the Ontario government made a new emergency order under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that prohibits public events and social gatherings of more than five people, replacing the previous emergency order prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people. Exceptions apply to private households with five people or more, child care centres supporting front-line health care workers and first responders (limit of 50 people), and funerals (limit of 10 people at a time).

So, if the organizer or host of an event (or a place of worship), holds an event with more than five people, an offence has occurred and the organizer or host (or a place of worship) may be fined.

Who do these fines NOT apply to?

Prior to March 23, 2020, these fines only applied to any types of businesses or organizations that were included in the state of emergency that was made on March 17, 2020 under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Retail stores and services, grocery stores, liquor and beer stores, drug stores, any commercial or industrial business (including manufacturers), and organizations (charitable or otherwise), were not included in the state of emergency.

However, on Tuesday, March 23rd, that all changed when the Ontario government expanded its state of emergency to order the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces by Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m. for 14 days. This means that the fines will also now apply to all businesses except those defined as essential workplaces by the Ontario government (see the list of essential workplaces).

The fines also currently do not apply to people who are contravening the directives issued by public health authorities, such as social distancing guidelines or the recommendation for 14 days of self-isolation after returning from travel. Enforced compliance with public health recommendations is not currently included in Ontario’s state of emergency orders. However, on Wednesday, March 25th, the Government of Canada invoked the Quarantine Act to requires all travellers returning to Canada (with the exception of what the federal government is calling “essential workers”) to enter a mandatory 14-day period of isolation, regardless of whether any symptoms of COVID-19 are present. Police are waiting for instructions from the federal government on enforcement of the legislation.

Why is there confusion?

Some people are wondering why businesses that employ more than 50 people aren’t being required to shut down, or why the OPP are allowing groups of more than 50 people to congregate.

That’s because the March 17th orders under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act only restricted an “organized public event” of more than 50 people (including in places of worship). Since this restriction was based on the same recommendations we’ve been hearing about from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, people have been confused by what’s allowed and what’s not.

Events of more than 50 people were not allowed to take place but workplaces with more than 50 people were still allowed to be open. That has now changed with the Ontario government’s March 23rd order of the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces for 14 days as of Tuesday, March 24th.

After March 24th, only some businesses will be allowed to remain open. The government will be releasing a full list of these businesses on Tuesday, March 24th (see the list of essential workplaces).

On March 28, 2020, the Ontario government made a new emergency order under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that prohibits public events and social gatherings of more than five people, replacing the previous emergency order prohibiting organized public events of more than 50 people. Exceptions apply to private households with five people or more, child care centres supporting front-line health care workers and first responders (limit of 50 people), and funerals (limit of 10 people at a time).

Why are the fines so low?

Some people may feel that a $750 fine for an individual who fails to comply with an emergency order is not punishment enough. But it’s important to note this fine is only under the Provincial Offences Act.

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, the punishment for offences is much higher: a fine up to a $100,000 and up to a year in prison for an individual, a fine up a $500,000 and up to a year in prison for a director or officer of a corporation, and a fine up to $10 million for a corporation.

It is likely that the new offences under the Provincial Offences Act are intended to deal with situations that do not justify the much higher fines and prison terms.

With the above information in hand, if you know of an individual, business, or organization that is breaking the law, you can call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or visit opp.ca/reporting.

Why aren’t the police enforcing public health recommendations?

It seems as if everyone knows someone who isn’t following public health recommendations, such as groups of people who are gathering together, or people who are not self-isolating for 14 days after returning from travel outside the country.

While ignoring public health recommendations is socially irresponsible behaviour and a potential threat to public health, it is — currently, at least — not against the law.

It seems like it should be, especially for those of us who are undergoing inconvenience and hardship playing by the rules only to see others flaunt them.

But the police can’t charge people who are gathering together, and they can’t charge someone who is not self-isolating. They can only charge people and corporations that aren’t complying with the orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

UPDATES

On Wednesday, March 25th, the Government of Canada invoked the Quarantine Act to requires all travellers returning to Canada (with the exception of what the federal government is calling “essential workers”) to enter a mandatory 14-day period of isolation, regardless of whether any symptoms of COVID-19 are present. Police are waiting for instructions from the federal government on enforcement of the legislation; in the interim, report any non-compliance allegations to your local public health unit.

On March 28, 2020, the Ontario government made a new emergency order under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that prohibits public events and social gatherings of more than five people, replacing the previous emergency order prohibiting organized public events of more than 50 people. Exceptions apply to private households with five people or more, child care centres supporting front-line health care workers and first responders (limit of 50 people), and funerals (limit of 10 people at a time). That means that police can also now charge people who are gathering together in groups of more than five.

What can the government do to enforce public health recommendations?

Legislation is available both at the provincial and federal levels to enforce public health directives.

In Ontario, the Health Protection and Promotion Act doesn’t support the declaration of “public health emergencies” (which is why the Ontario government used the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act), but it does allow Ontario’s chief medical officer of health to order a person to go into isolation if they are infected with a communicable disease — with a fine of up to $5,000 per day for contravening the order.

And of course there’s Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which the government has already used and could use again to make it illegal to contravene public health directives.

The federal Quarantine Act, which was created in 2005 following Canada’s SARS outbreak, allows the federal government to quarantine individuals arriving in the country to prevent the “introduction and spread of communicable diseases.” It was used during the current COVID-19 pandemic to quarantine Canadians, repatriated from cruise ships, at a military base in Trenton, Ontario. Anyone who breaks quarantine under that legislation can be fined up to $1 million and imprisoned for up to three years.

On Wednesday, March 25th, the Government of Canada invoked the Quarantine Act to requires all travellers returning to Canada (with the exception of what the federal government is calling “essential workers”) to enter a mandatory 14-day period of isolation, regardless of whether any symptoms of COVID-19 are present. Police are waiting for instructions from the federal government on enforcement of the legislation.

There’s also the federal Emergencies Act, which authorizes the taking of special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies. In 1988, it replaced the War Measures Act which was used during both the First and Second World Wars and during the 1970 October Crisis. The Emergencies Act has never been used.

So far, the federal government has expressed reluctance at using the Emergencies Act for public health directives, primarily because it requires significant resources for enforcement and suspends civil rights — the equivalent of martial law.

However, if enough people continue to ignore public health directives and if the COVID-19 pandemic gets out of control, the federal government may be left with no choice.

For all of our sakes, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

This story was originally published prior to the Ontario government expanding the state of emergency to order the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces for 14 days effective March 24, 2020. It has since been updated to reflect this development, as well as the federal government invoking the Quarantine Act to require all travellers returning to Canada to enter a mandatory 14-day period of isolation, and the expansion of Ontario’s state of emergency to prohibit gatherings of more than five people.

A man in his 80s is the first COVID-19 related death, and also the first case of community transmission, in the Kawarthas.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit reports the man was admitted to Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay last Thursday (March 19) with a high fever and influenza-like illness.

Tests were conducted and late on Saturday (March 21) it was confirmed the man tested positive for COVID-19. He passed away the following afternoon with both pneumonia and COVID-19 listed as the cause of death.

The man had no travel history or contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19, making this the first identified case of community transmission in the Kawarthas.

“We offer our sincere condolences to this man’s family and our thoughts are with them during this sad time,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, the HKPR District Health Unit’s medical officer of health. “Unfortunately, this man’s tragic passing highlights that we now have community transmission of COVID-19 in our area.”

Dr. Noseworthy says this means it’s more important now than ever that everyone works together to protect themselves and others against the spread of the virus. Everyone is urged to follow the public health recommendations for self-isolation if someone is ill; self-isolating if they have returned from travel recently, washing their hands frequently and thoroughly and covering coughs and sneezes.

As well, everyone is urged to practise social distancing which includes staying home if possible, staying at least two metres from others, limiting time out for necessary purchases and avoiding public settings.

“Our team continues to work collaboratively with HKPR, regional, and provincial partners on a coordinated response to COVID-19,” says RMH interim president and CEO Veronica Nelson.

“Seniors are especially vulnerable to this virus, which means that a large portion of our community is particularly at risk. Protect them by taking steps to ‘flatten the curve,’ and that means self-isolation, especially for those returning to Canada.”

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider. You can also call the HKPR Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020 (leave a detailed message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible).

If you have other non-urgent questions or concerns about COVID-19, email the Health Unit at info@hkpr.on.ca or visit www.hkpr.on.ca.

Visit Ontario’s website at ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

Canada’s grocery store chains are ramping up their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including managing increased customer demand and health and safety requirements.

Many grocery stores have placed a limit on the maximum number of items of any one product that a customer can buy, and have dedicated the first hour of operation to serving seniors and those with disabilities.

Stores have also reduced operating hours, mainly to allow extra time for staff to sanitize frequentlly used services (including self-service cash registers and shopping baskets and carts).

Grocery stores are also beginning to restrict the number of customers allowed in a store during busy times, to make it easier for customers and staff to practise social distancing. Some stores have begun to place floor markers at check-out lines to remind customers of the recommendation for two metres (six feet).

Most chains are also beginning to install plexiglass shields for check-out counters. Here are what specific grocery store chains are doing:

In Peterborough, some residents are maintaining a list in real time (below) of what’s in stock at local grocery stores, along with other stores that sell food and household items. You can help view and help maintain the Google Sheets spreadsheet. There is also a resource list available for Peterborough residents on Google Drive.

Loblaw, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart

• Supermarkets will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the first hour dedicated to seniors and those with disabilities. Hours at Shoppers Drug Mart stores, some of which are located in rural areas, will be based on the needs of each community.
• The number of customers allowed in the busiest stores at the same time will be restricted. For those stores, the specific capacity will be determined based on their size. Wherever possible, only every other checkout lane will be open to encourage social distancing.
• Loose or bulk items in certain supermarkets will be eliminated and some service departments, such as seafood, will more to exclusively pre-packed products. All food sampling has been stopped.
• Beauty testers have been removed in Shoppers Drug Mart stores, with cosmetic services like makeovers and skincare consultations suspended.
• The use of debit or credit over cash is being encouraged.
• The $0.05 plastic bag fee is being temporarily waived to discourage the use of reusable bags in stores where cashiers still pack groceries. Customers who bring reusable bags will have to pack their own items.
• Plexiglass shields for the checkout counters are being installed in stores.

Sobeys and FreshCo

• Store hours have been temporarily reduced to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
• Stores will being to have floor markers at checkout to help facilitate a two-metre distance between customers.
• Senior shopping hour takes place from 8 to 9 a.m., for elderly and vulnerable people.
• Bulk baked goods and bulk foods in self-serve areas, such as dry nutes and chocolate-covered almonds, are no longer available.
• Plexiglass shields for the checkout counters are being installed in stores.

Metro and Food Basics

• Store hours have been temporarily reduced to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
• Senior shopping hour takes place from 8 to 9 a.m., for elderly and vulnerable people.
• All testers from beauty and perfume sections have been removed, and the use of testers in the cosmetic department of in-store pharmacies has been suspended.

Peterborough residents won’t be celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday this year — at least not with a public fireworks display.

With the continued uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings, the Rotary Victoria Day Fireworks and Family Night in Peterborough has been cancelled.

The 18th annual free event had been scheduled for Saturday, May 16th at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough.

Presented jointly by the Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha, last year’s event featured live music, children’s activities, food and drink vendors, and a fireworks display above Little Lake.

The event is expected to return in 2021.

A COVID-19 screening procedure conducted early Friday morning (March 20) at a manufacturing plant east of Peterborough left at least one employee both angry and concerned — pointing to the challenges faced by companies that are attempting to keep their employees safe by conducting screening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

McCloskey International in Otonabee-South Monaghan makes equipment used in the mining, aggregates, recycling, and process industries. According to an employee who contacted kawarthaNOW, workers were told on Thursday (March 19) they would be screened on arrival for work early the next day, but the procedure put in place was much different than what they were told.

“We were told we would be screened in our cars when we arrived at work today, and everybody was kind of okay with that,” said the employee, who requested his name be withheld out of concern for his job. “But when we arrived, we were told to park our cars and go in one entrance, use the same punch clock, and then everyone was packed into a very narrow alleyway of a warehouse to stand and wait to have their temperature taken and sign a little questionnaire.”

“Everyone was packed tight together. There were no masks or gloves. I wore my neck warmer over my nose and mouth and I had my work gloves on.”

Joe Sullivan, McCloskey International’s manager of human resources and health and safety, says the company implemented the screening procedure to “make our facility as safe as possible” for employees. He points out the company was adhering to the recommendation from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, issued last Monday (March 16), which advises that Ontarians avoid large gatherings of over 50 people.

“We never exceeded 50 people but we got to the point where it was just too much, so we asked people to disperse,” he explains. “It shouldn’t have been, but it got to the point where it was close to 50 people. When we look at it now, that just won’t be allowed to happen again.”

Sullivan admits there were problems with the screening procedure, but points out it was the first day the procedure was done.

“Can we do better? Absolutely. Our quest is to get this thing done right. It’s uncharted waters for many people and people are concerned. We want to make sure that we do everything we can to mitigate the concerns and keep people healthy. That was our first go at it today. The good news is, at the end of the day, all checked out fine. We had no symptoms, no major concerns. We’re very, very thankful for that.”

kawarthaNOW also contacted Peterborough Public Health, which did not comment on the screening procedure at McCloskey but instead pointed to infection control resources for workplaces, including providing clean hand-washing facilities, disinfecting surfaces, removing shared items (dishes, cutlery, magazines) from employee common areas, implementing staggered shifts, enforcing social distancing guidelines, and more.

“We’ve communicated all the steps were put to us through the public health unit, and posted our necessary signage indicating our staff respect social distancing,” Sullivan observes. “We’ve got sanitizer stations set up.”

Sullivan says McCloskey has also reached out to Peterborough Public Health for additional guidance on how to control groups that tend to congregate.

For his part, the employee noted he has serious concerns about being potentially exposed to the virus, as he has both elderly parents who are vulnerable to illness and young children.

“My supervisor said they were going to try something different Monday, so who knows what the plan will be then,” the employee said.

“We definitely are going to continue to screen,” Sullivan said. “That gives everyone peace of mind. For us, it was about making sure that we did that, and now turn around and scrub the system to make it even better and more effective and safer yet.”

“The last thing we want to do is scare people. We want to make sure we’re going in the right direction. The big find for us was that everyone screened well and there was no issue.”

If you want to support patients, frontline healthcare workers, and staff at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) during the COVID-19 crisis, the PRHC Foundation is encouraging donations.

PRHC Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway says the COVID-19 crisis is going to bring unprecedented challenges to PRHC.

“Your hospital needs you now more than ever,” she says. We must ensure our frontline healthcare professionals and staff have the tools, technology, and supports they need to care for their sickest patients — and for themselves — during this difficult time.”

The hospital’s key needs range from lifesaving equipment and technology to supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers and staff, according to Heighway.

She says “critical funds” are required now to ensure PRHC can respond quickly to the hospital’s fast-evolving needs as the impact of this virus is felt.

“PRHC’s expert healthcare professionals, staff, and leaders are on the frontline of this crisis and they’re mobilizing,” Heighway explains. “They’re ramping up to ensure the right resources are in place, getting ready to take care of us and the people we love with the same expertise, compassion, and dedication they demonstrate every day.”

“In the same way that PRHC’s teams are mobilizing to support you, we’re mobilizing now so we can be ready to support them as soon as help is needed. We must act quickly and do whatever we can to lessen the impact on our community, our hospital, its patients, and our frontline healthcare professionals.”

Heighway encourages anyone wishing to show their gratitude to PRHC’s healthcare professionals and staff to share a special message of hope or thanks through the PRHC Foundation’s “Share Your Message” option at its website at www.prhcfoundation.ca. No donation is required to share your message.

If you are able to donate, you can share your message and make your donation through PRHC Foundation’s Grateful Hearts program.

Working in partnership with PRHC, the Foundation has committed to sharing these messages daily with the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and staff via the hospital’s internal communications channels — providing a boost to morale when it’s needed most.

“The continued spread of COVID-19 both here at home and around the world has many of us feeling understandably anxious and worried,” Heighway notes.

“It’s also inspiring many of us to wonder how we can help. By making a donation and sharing a message of hope and thanks, you’ll be standing behind our frontline healthcare workers as they respond to the challenge ahead, helping to ease their burden.”

For more information or to donate to PRHC Foundation over the phone, call 705-876-5000. To donate online, send a Grateful Hearts message, or to send a message without a donation, visit www.prhcfoundation.ca. Donations will also be accepted by mail, care of PRHC Foundation, 1 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON  K9J 7C6.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) is temporarily closing its doors effective Friday, March 27th. The no-kill shelter is seeking people to foster or adopt the cats in its care.

Shortly after announcing the temporary closure on Facebook on Friday night (March 20) and identifying an urgent need for supporters to adopt or foster all of its animals, LAWS had an “overwhelming response” for the dogs in its care, and will be completing all dog adoptions and fosters internally.

However, the shelter has a number of cats in its care that still require homes.

Beginning on Monday (March 23) at 9 a.m., pictures and details of the cats will be posted in the front windows of the LAWS shelter at 2887 Lakefield Road in Lakefield.

Because of social distancing requirements, no-one will be allowed entry into the shelter to look at or meet the cats. If you are interested in adopting or fostering a cat, you must choose a cat based on the picture and details and by talking to LAWS staff.

Once you have decided on a cat, a LAWS staff member will remove the cat’s picture from the window and retrieve your chosen cat from inside the building. You must have your own cat carrier to transport the animal.

Selection of cats will be on a first come, first served basis. If you choose to adopt or foster a cat, you will be solely responsible for any vet care needed by the cat once it leaves LAWS.

LAWS will reopen at an undetermined date in the future only when it is deemed safe for staff, volunteers, and clients to be onsite.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has announced three residents of Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon have been confirmed as having COVID-19.

The confirmed cases are a 61-year-old man, an 89-year-old man, and a 94-year-old woman. All three residents are in isolation at the facility.

These are the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a nursing home in the area served by the HKPR District Health Unit.

“We know our older residents are more vulnerable to this virus,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Because of the age and medical condition of their residents, long-term care homes in our area will often see a variety of illness throughout the winter months.”

“Health unit staff have been working with the staff of the home for some time now to ensure infection prevention and control measures are in place.”

Pinecrest administrator Mary Carr says the facility has been conducting active screening of visitors since Thursday, March 12th and that visitation to the facility has been restricted since Saturday, March 14th, based on the direction of Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.

“We are focused on providing our residents with the best care possible during this difficult time,” Carr says. “Our staff are going above and beyond to ensure our residents are receiving the care they require. We are grateful for their commitment and for the support and assistance we are receiving from public health, our community partners, and our family members.”

With the confirmation of these cases of COVID-19 in the facility, Carr says residents have all been isolated into separate areas, meals are being served on trays, and staff have been using personal protective equipment (PPE) in their care of all residents.

The home, which houses 65 residents, had seen some illness in residents in the past week and a respiratory outbreak was declared on Wednesday, March 18th.

Tests were done on the three residents and their test results were positive for COVID-19.

“With cases now in a nursing home in our area, it’s more important than ever that we all do our part to prevent the further spread of this virus,” Dr. Noseworthy says.

“We need to work together to protect our older and vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours and this means doing our part by washing our hands, practising cough and sneeze etiquette, staying home when we are ill, and not visiting medically fragile people during this time.”

There are now nine positive cases of COVID-19 in the area served by the HKPR District Health Unit and three positive cases in the area served by Peterborough Public Health.