The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Haliburton County.

On Monday (March 30), a man in his 90s arrived by ambulance at Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) after presenting with abdominal pain. He was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia and tested for COVID-19.

Results received on Wednesday (April 1) confirmed the man is positive for COVID-19. The man as no travel history and has not been in direct contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, pointing to community transmission. A resident of Haliburton County, the man was admitted to hospital, isolated, and is recovering.

This announcement now means there are now residents confirmed to have COVID-19 in all three of the counties served by the HKPR District Health Unit: City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the HKPR District Health Unit area is now 64, including 48 cases in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 15 cases in Northumberland County, and one case in Haliburton County. There have also been 13 deaths, including 11 residents of Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon.

“We are so pleased to hear that this man is recovering,” says HKPR Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lynn Noseworthy. “We know that COVID-19 can be devastating for our older population and that is why we are imploring everyone to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. This new case is another vivid reminder that we must all take steps — like self-isolating, hand-washing and physical distancing — to protect ourselves and others from the virus.”

Dr. Noseworthy says the health unit has been working closely with HHHS throughout the pandemic and that the hospital has put numerous measures in place in anticipation of a positive case. This includes active screening of staff, limiting the points of entry to the hospital, and restricting visitors to the facility.

When the man presented at the hospital the hospital also took the appropriate precautions to ensure there was limited risk to anyone else at the hospital at that time.

“I want to thank our dedicated staff team at HHHS who have been working hard to ensure we were prepared with all of the right protocols and precautions in place to address local COVID-19 cases,” says HHHS president and CEO Carolyn Plummer. “We will continue to take the steps required to protect the health and safety of our community, patients, residents, clients, staff and physicians, and encourage everyone to do their part to keep our community safe.”

HHS, in collaboration with the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team and Haliburton County opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in the parking lot of the Haliburton Family Medical Centre on Wednesday (March 31). The assessment centre is staffed by health care providers who will complete a phone assessment and advise of next steps, which could include instructions on self-monitoring, self-isolating or possible testing. Not everyone will be tested, and testing is by appointment only.

No new positive cases of COVID-19 are being reported by Peterborough Public Health for the second consecutive day, with the number of positive cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake and Hiawatha holding at 28.

During her daily media briefing on Wednesday (April 1), Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said four COVID-19 patients are being treated at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, with two of those in intensive care.

To date, 757 COVID-19 tests have been conducted locally with results awaited on 296 of those tested.

Another 433 cases have been confirmed negative with four positive cases now resolved.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, recommended on Wednesday (April 1) that current physical distancing measures and other safeguards remain in place for another three months until the end of June.

Her recommendation comes on the heels of a province-wide increase of 426 positive cases — the largest one-day increase in Ontario since the outbreak began.

“It is encouraging we didn’t have an increase again today but I don’t expect that to hold,” said Dr. Salvaterra, noting “We’re playing a bit of catch-up” in terms of results awaited on close to 300 tests.

She suggested that once those results come in, the number of positive cases will likely rise.

Also sitting in on Wednesday’s media briefing were Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, Curve Lake First Nation Chief Emily Whetung, and Peterborough Public Health board chair Andy Mitchell.

Each provided an update on local measures in place in their respective municipalities, as well as reinforcing the central message that all remain diligent and follow public health instructions to the letter.

As for the area served by the other health unit in the Kawarthas (Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, which includes Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton), the latest numbers from Tuesday (March 31) indicate there have been 52 positive cases reported and 11 deaths (with nine associated with the outbreak at Pinecrest Nursing Home). Of the total positive cases, 41 are in the City of Kawartha Lakes and 11 in Northumberland County. No positive cases have been identified in Haliburton County.

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

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

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has shared details on how the hospital’s leaders, health care professionals, and staff are creating additional capacity to care for patients with COVID-19.

As of Wednesday (April 1), PRHC is providing care for three patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of these patients are currently in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Preparing for an increase in COVID-19 cases is critical, as hospitals in COVID-19 hot spots around the world are struggling to manage the surge in patients with COVID-19, particularly those with severe respiratory symptoms.

The hospital’s pandemic strategy is designed to address acute care needs and to ensure PRHC is in the best possible position to care for an anticipated increase in patients with COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks.

PRHC has taken a number of key steps over the past several weeks, including:

• To prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the hospital, limiting access to the hospital building, restricting visitors, cancelling non-urgent appointments, and screening everyone coming into the hospital.
• Opening an on-site COVID-19 Assessment Centre in partnership with Ontario Health.
• Decreasing hospital occupancy to 85 per cent to create additional inpatient space (over the past several years, hospital occupancy has been at or above 100 per cent on a year-round basis).
• Converting the green zone in PRHC’s emergency department into a dedicated area for patients with respiratory illness.
• Increasing the hospital’s critical and intensive care capacity by adding 27 ICU beds, ramping up critical care staff, and working with partners at a regional and provincial level to ensure the hospital has access to additional ventilators as needed.
• Converting a 36-bed hospital unit into a dedicated area for patients with respiratory illness.
• Initiating a staff redeployment centre to centralize information about PRHC staff and their skills.
• Ramping up education for health care professionals and staff to align with PRHC’s pandemic response.
• Working with hospital and health care partners in the community and region to coordinate the hospital’s pandemic approach.

VIDEO: #InThisTogether – PRHC

PRHC has also been running a successful personal protective equipment (PPE) drive to ensure the hospital continues to have the necessary equipment and supplies available to protect patients, health care professionals, and support staff.

“Our thanks to the many organizations and individuals in our community who have come forward with a tremendous show of support through these unprecedented times,” the hospital writes in a media release.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the hospital’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to make a donation to the PRHC Foundation to support critical investments in lifesaving equipment and technology, and supports for patients and front-line health care workers. Donors can also send a special thank you message to PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff.

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

“This hospital is fortunate to have some of the most hard-working, caring, and dedicated people out there,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, the hospital’s vice-president, chief of staff, and chief medical officer.

“As our community has rallied around us with messages and offers of support, this incredible group of people at PRHC has worked tirelessly to be as prepared as we possibly can be for what is to come. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our team as we face the days ahead, ready to provide our patients with the care and support we have trained for.”

The Northumberland OPP has located the body of an 82-year-old woman missing since March 31, 2020.

Kristina Zupanc last seen on West Court near Sandy Bay Road in Roseneath. She was not dressed appropriately for the cool weather conditions at the time she went missing.

Despite an extensive and thorough search by the OPP Emergency Response Team, Canine Unit, and Aviation Unit, police were unable to locate Zupanc.

On Monday (April 6) at around 7 p.m, her body was located in the water near Burnt Point Bay, not far from the shore line of Nappan Island in Trent Hills — approximately 30 kilometres from where she went missing.

Police have not released any further details, including whether foul play is suspected.

This story has been updated to indicate that Zupanc’s body has been found .

It’s not an April Fool’s prank: Growers Retail, Peterborough’s first legal cannabis retailer, will finally open its doors to the public on Wednesday (April 1).

Located at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough (across the street from No Frills), the store will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The store, owned by parent company Huge Shops, was originally approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to be located beside the Coffee Time in the Fowlers Corners plaza on Highway 7. However, after municipal zoning issues prohibited the store from opening at that location, Huge Shops reapplied for a cannabis retail store authorization at the downtown Peterborough location. AGCO has authorized the new location.

The Peterborough Examiner reports the store will carry as many as 97 products, including as many as 40 strains of cannabis. There will be a range of cannabis products and accessories, including dried flower, edibles, vaping and topical products, papers, pipes, and bongs.

The store will employ 20 staff, who have been trained as “budtenders” to be able to explain products to customers.

Although legal cannabis retailers have been deemed by the Ontario government as essential workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, opening the store during the pandemic presents special challenges.

“COVID is definitely the big hurdle for us to get over,” Darryl Jessop, vice-president of Huge Shops, tells The Examiner. “Just to make sure when we opened it was done in such a way that it was done safely, ethically, and morally.”

Another company, Happy Dayz Peterborough, has also applied for a cannabis retail store authorization for its current location at 291 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. The application is currently in public notice status.

Premier Doug Ford announced on Tuesday (March 31) that schools in Ontario will remain closed until at least Friday, May 1st for teachers, and until at least Monday, May 4th for students.

Publicly funded schools have been closed since Saturday, March 14th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original tentative reopening date was Monday, April 6th.

“The decision to extend school closures was not made lightly,” Premier Ford said. “We know from the medical experts that the next two weeks will be critical in the fight against COVID-19 and that’s why we’re taking further action to keep our kids safe and healthy by having them stay home.”

“At the same time, we cannot put the school year in jeopardy. That’s why we’re providing additional tools for at-home learning and ensuring students from kindergarten to Grade 12 to post-secondary education can finish their academic year and get the credits they need to graduate.”

The closure extension was made on the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Before May 1st, the decision will be re-evaluated based on public health advice, with the closure extended if necessary.

Private schools, licensed child care centres, and EarlyON programs will also remain closed until Monday, April 13th. Selected child care centres designated to support front-line health care workers and first responders will remain open.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce explained why there are two different dates for the closure of publicly funded schools and for the closure of private schools and child care centres. While the closure of public schools was made under the Education Act, the closure of private schools and child care centres was made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which only allows closures to be extended for one 14-day period at a time.

Lecce said no student will have their graduation compromised by COVID-19, and that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to ensure that there will be no barriers to accessing post-secondary education.

“We will do whatever it takes to keep students safe from COVID-19 — which is why we have extended the school closure period and why we have unveiled a teacher-led program that keeps students learning while at home,” Minister Lecce said. “By providing clarity for parents, enhancing support for students and enabling the teacher-student relationship, we are ensuring our children continue to safely learn — providing some sense of stability and hope for them amid this difficulty.”

When asked by media why the Ontario government is not cancelling the school year as in other provinces, Minister Lecce said the staged approach follows the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and is intended to give some hope to families that their children may be able to eventually return to traditional learning in schools. He said a decision to cancel the school year is possible, but will be considered closer to the May 4th date.

The Ontario government is proceeding with the second phase of its Learn at Home program, which includes now includes supplemental STEM learning resources created by third-parties and a parent resource that is focused on reading and writing.

In addition to learning resources for kindergarten and elementary school students, there are now 36 English courses and 47 French-language courses available for secondary students. For details, visit ontario.ca/learnathome.

TVO Kids (and its French-language equivalent, TFO) is also offering educational programming throughout the day for school-aged children.

Peterborough Public Health is reporting no new positive cases of COVID-19, leaving the total number of cases in Peterborough city and county, Hiawatha and Curve Lake at 28.

During her daily media briefing on Tuesday (March 31), Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said three of those 28 cases have been resolved.

To date, 752 people have been tested with 432 tests coming back negative. Another 292 cases remain under investigation.

Dr. Salvaterra says the local area’s first case of COVID-19 community transmission has been confirmed, meaning the person affected has no travel history or known contact with a person confirmed as COVID-19 positive.

That said, with this being the first evidence of community transmission verified coupled with there being no increase in positive cases, she is cautiously optimistic.

“Overall, these are both good signs but we can’t let our guard down,” she advises, noting the Province has recently advised that all those over age 70 should self-isolate as they are at greater risk for contracting the virus.

Meanwhile, the outbreak at St. Joseph’s at Fleming, “is stable,” reports Dr. Salvaterra.

For the area served by the other health unit in the Kawarthas (Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, which includes Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton), the latest numbers from Tuesday (March 31) indicate there have been 52 positive cases reported and 11 deaths (with nine associated with the outbreak at Pinecrest Nursing Home). Of the total positive cases, 41 are in the City of Kawartha Lakes and 11 in Northumberland County. No positive cases have been identified in Haliburton County.

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

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

This story has been updated with the most recent numbers from Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

At its virtual meeting on Monday night (March 30), Peterborough city council unanimously approved an emergency property tax relief measure for ratepayers in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Peterborough residents and businesses can defer their property taxes for up to 60 days without penalty, for both the March 31th and the May 29th instalment due dates.

Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien said the property tax relief measures give people who are experiencing financial hardship additional time to recover.

“People are focused on their health and the health of their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about the tax due dates.”

Council made the decision during its first meeting after the Ontario government changed provincial legislation to allow municipal councils to hold virtual meetings during declared emergency situations. The city had cancelled a meeting scheduled before the provincial changes, due to the public health guidance on physical distancing and the prohibition on public meetings of certain sizes.

The city is also considering other options to provide financial relief for residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, with recommendations expected at a council committee meeting in May.

“We’re going to look at other actions that we can take to help our community recover as we move forward,” Therrien said.

The priority right now needs to be the health and safety of the community, added councillor and finance chair Dean Pappas.

“Council’s taking action to protect the health and safety of the community,” Pappas. “And recognizing the financial pressures being faced by residents and businesses during this time, this is a first step. We’re going to need to adapt and change as the situation is changing.”

Peterborough Utilities, which is owned by the City of Peterborough, is providing financial relief to customers including refunding electric security deposits, not applying late payment charges, suspending collections of arrears for both electricity and water customers until July 31st, and halting service disconnections.

The City of Peterborough continues to provide essential and important services, such as fire protection, wastewater treatment, garbage collection, social services, and transportation services and infrastructure. As the COVID-19 situation is evolving, new decisions may be made affecting municipal services and facilities. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, visit www.peterborough.ca/covid19.