St. Joseph's at Fleming is a 200-bed long term care facility in Peterborough. (Photo: St. Joseph's at Fleming)
On Thursday (March 26), Peterborough Public Health reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in a local long-term care home.
A resident of St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough has tested positive for COVID-19. Two other residents of the 200-bed facility who have respiratory symptoms have tested negative, but all three residents are in isolation at the facility.
A staff member who also had symptoms was referred to community paramedics for in-home testing on Wednesday night (March 25). The staff member will remain in self-isolation at home.
Peterborough Public Health is investigating to determine if there is an epidemiological link to travel or to other known COVID-19 cases.
“We know St. Joseph’s at Fleming is taking the right measures to keep residents as safe as possible from the spread of this infection,” says Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “Older adults are more at risk to severe illness caused by COVID-19 so this serves as a strong reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our most vulnerable residents.”
Visitation to the facility has been restricted since Saturday, March 14th on the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“Our nurses will continue to support St. Joseph’s at Fleming in controlling this outbreak,” Dr. Salvaterra says. “We all need to do our part by staying home and not visiting anyone at this time, especially seniors or anyone who is immunocompromised.”
Kyla Gutsche (left), owner and operator of Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough, with some of the medical supplies her company has donated for front-line health care workers at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. A renowned cosmetic and medical micropigmentation company that can enhance or restore features people have lost due to illness, trauma, surgery or the aging process, Cosmetic Transformation uses these supplies while delivering its services but the company has been forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kyla Gutsche)
businessNOW was not published for the week of March 30th. It will return on Tuesday, April 7th.
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
The week’s businessNOW is a special edition focusing on how the Peterborough-area business community is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our feature story this week is Kyla Gutsche of Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough who, despite having the continued viability of her business threatened by COVID-19, is donating her company’s medical supplies to Peterborough Regional Health Centre to help front-line health care workers keep safe while fighting the pandemic.
Also featured is a call out for regional manufacturers and businesses to help meet the demand for COVID-19 medical supplies, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area launching a new website to support locally owned businesses through the pandemic, and a virtual workshop series launched by Peterborough’s economic development organizations so businesses can continue to receive valuable training and information remotely.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, no new business events have been added this week, and previously listed business events have ether been cancelled or postponed. Some local business events are being delivered online instead; see kawarthaNOW’s new Virtual Events.
Kyla Gutsche of Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough donates her medical supplies to Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Kyla Gutsche, owner and operator of Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough, wearing the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that her business regularly uses when delivering its cosmetic and medical micropigmentation services. As Cosmetic Transformations has been forced to close due to COVID-19, Kyla has donated six months worth of PPE and medical supplies to Peterborough Regional Health Centre to help front-line health care workers keep safe while fighting the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Kyla Gutsche)
Kyla Gutsche, owner and operator of Cosmetic Transformations in Peterborough, is one of the many entrepreneurs in the Kawarthas who is worried about the continued viability of her business due to the COVID-19 pandemic — but that hasn’t stopped her from supporting the community.
Cosmetic Transformations is a celebrated cosmetic and medical micropigmentation company that can enhance or restore features people have lost due to illness, trauma, surgery, or the aging process. Due to the nature of her company’s services, she has always had copious amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies on hand.
Now that her business has been forced to close until mid-July to protect immuno-suppressed staff, Kyla just donated six months’ worth of PPE and medical items — including gloves, sterile gloves, masks, isolation gowns, and bonnets — to front-line health care workers at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
Kyla is also urging all tattoo businesses and other personal service businesses that have been forced to shut down due to COVID-19 to do the same.
Kyla tells kawarthaNOW she doesn’t know if her own business will survive the COVID-19 pandemic, but she’s still looking out for workers in her industry.
She’s launched an online petition at change.org to pressure the government to support tattoo artists and personal service workers who are self-employed and and rely on clients’ appointment fees to pay both work and home bills.
Government funding programs for COVID-19 business relief have so far are focused on support for employers and their employees who qualify for employment insurance, not support for the self-employed. However, The federal government’s new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (this replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit) will be available for workers who do not qualify for employment insurance. It will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to four months. Application details will be available through My CRA and My Service Canada in early April.
Peterborough-area manufactures and businesses encouraged to help meet demand for medical supplies
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) is askimg Peerborough-area manufacturers to consider retooling their production lines to help meet the need for urgent medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of PKED)
The day after Kyla Gutsche of Cosmetic Transformations donated all of her medical supplies to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) issued a call for local manufacturers to retool if they can to help meet the need for urgent medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PKED is also encouraging businesses to consider donating from their inventory of medical products and supplies to help local health agencies, frontline healthcare workers, and other essential service workers to combat the spread of COVID-19 while protecting their own health and safety.
“There is a need for the region’s talented and innovative manufacturers and businesses to provide the necessary assistance to curb COVID-19 in this crucial time for our city, province, country, and the globe,” says PKED president and CEO Rhonda Keenan.
In particular, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is in need of protective gloves (nitrile only), N95 masks (with NIOSH of CE), ear loop masks (ASTMF2100-11, L2 rating or greater), ear loop masks with attached face shields, protective gowns (AAMI, L2 rating or greater), hand sanitizer (minimum 70% ethanol or 60%-70% isopropyl alcohol), and full-face shields with foam.
Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area launches website to support locally owned businesses
Lisa Dixon, owner and operator of Black Honey cafe and bakery in downtown Peterborough, is one of many downtown Peterborough business owners who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can purchase a gift certificate for Black Honey along with 58 other downtown Peterborough businesses using the new website supportdowntownptbo.ca created by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. (Photo courtesy of DBIA)
With many locally owned businesses in downtown Peterborough temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is doing what it can to support them.
Many of downtown stores, restaurants, cafés, pubs and services are closing temporarily. While many local businesses are adapting to support customers online, their expenses don’t stop when the lights are turned off and the door is locked. Rent and utilities must still be paid, along with the wages of any employees who are continuing to work.
The DBIA has launched supportdowntownptbo.ca, a new website where people can buy gift cards and certificates from 59 downtown Peterborough businesses. By purchasing gift cards and certificates you can help businesses with their cash flow needs to cover current expenses. This helps give locally owned businesses a little breathing space until they can fully reopen.
If you purchase gift cards and certificates from supportdowntownptbo.ca, they will be mailed (or emailed if electronic) to you.
Peterborough economic development organizations launch virtual workshops for businesses
“TeamPTBO” consists of Peterborough economic development organizations Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, and Community Futures Peterborough. (Graphic: TeamPTBO)
Five economic development organizations in Peterborough — Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, collectively known as “TeamPTBO” — have developed a virtual workshop series for businesses in the region.
The free series, intended to help local businesses deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, is available online via Zoom remote conferencing for up to 100 participants. Based on the Innovation Cluster’s regular Hands-ON workshop model, the webinars will feature experts relevant to the current crisis.
“This workshop series will ensure that businesses have the information they need to make educated decisions during these times,” says Innovation Cluster president John Gillis. “Many of the shifts will create long-term disruption that will shape our local businesses for years to come.”
Workshops will cover general topics such as intellectual property, marketing, and cash flow, but also include workshops specifically focused on how businesses are operating around the current COVID-19 situation. All businesses in Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes will have access to the workshops in the series.
Two workshops have already taken place this week, with two more scheduled in April and more to come:
“Branding and Marketing for Your Small Business”, featuring Madeleine Hurrell from Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1st.
“Business Planning and Utilizing the Business Model Canvas”, featuring Madeleine Hurrell from Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6th.
For these and other virtual events for business and more, check out kawarthaNOW’s new Virtual Events column.
Due to COVID-19, most business organizations have either cancelled or postponed upcoming events, including meetings and workshops, during March and into April. Business events will return to businessNOW when restrictions on public gatherings have been lifted. Some local business events are being delivered online instead. See kawarthaNOW’s new Virtual Events.
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is working to ensure downtown Peterborough looks like this again after the COVID-19 pandemic by launching supportdowntownptbo.ca, a new website where people can buy gift cards and certificates from 59 downtown Peterborough businesses, helping them with their immediate cash flow needs during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)
With many locally owned businesses in downtown Peterborough temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is doing what it can to support them.
Many downtown retailers, restaurants, cafés, pubs, and services have temporarily closed their brick-and-mortar locations due to the pandemic, mainly to protect their customers and employees by practising physical distancing or because the Ontario government has ordered them to close.
While many are serving their customers online, that doesn’t mean their brick-and-mortar expenses stop. Rent and utilities must still be paid, along with the wages of any employees who are continuing to work — including the business owners themselves, who have to pay their own mortgages and buy groceries like the rest of us.
To help downtown businesses weather the storm, the DBIA has launched supportdowntownptbo.ca, a new website where people can buy gift cards and certificates from 59 downtown Peterborough businesses.
Even if you can’t redeem them right away, by purchasing gift cards and certificates you can help businesses with their cash flow needs to cover current expenses. This helps give locally owned businesses a little breathing space until they can fully reopen and hopefully make up for lost business.
“Buying gift cards is a great way to show your favourite local shops that you still support them and that you’ll be back when they reopen,” says DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “It gives them a financial boost at a very critical time.”
A screenshot of supportdowntownptbo.ca, a new website launched by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), where people can buy gift cards and certificates from 59 downtown Peterborough businesses, helping them with their immediate cash flow needs during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
If you purchase gift cards and certificates from supportdowntownptbo.ca, they will be mailed (or emailed if electronic) to you.
Downtown Money sold out!
The “downtown money” is now sold out! However, you can still purchase gift cards and certificates from 59 downtown Peterborough businesses.
As an added incentive, for a limited time the DBIA is offering extra “downtown money” (gift certificates you can redeem at any participating downtown business) when you purchase gift certificates through the site.
For every $50 in gift cards and certificates purchased, the DBIA will send customers $25 in downtown money.
The DBIA has a limited amount of downtown money available for this promotion, so shoppers are limited to eight $25 downtown money gift certificates each.
And don’t forget: not all downtown businesses are temporarily closed because of COVID-19. Businesses that are considered essential workplaces can choose to remain open (although with some restrictions), some restaurants are offering delivery and takeout, and other businesses have online shopping (with some offering free local delivery).
Medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra emphasizing the importance of physical distancing during a media briefing at Peterborough Public Health on March 23, 2020. (Photo: Peterborough Public Health)
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.
Peterborough-area manufacturers and businesses are encouraged to help meet the demand for urgent medical supplies to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is in need of medical products and supplies including N95 masks (with NIOSH of CE) and ear loop masks (ASTMF2100-11, L2 rating or greater) as well as nitrile gloves, protective gowns, hand sanitizer, and more.
Following similar calls from both the federal and Ontario governments, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) is asking local manufacturers to retool if they can to help meet the need for urgent medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PKED is also encouraging business owners, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in the region to consider donating from their inventory of medical products and supplies to help local health agencies, frontline healthcare workers, and other essential service workers to combat the spread of COVID-19 while protecting their own health and safety.
“There is a need for the region’s talented and innovative manufacturers and businesses to provide the necessary assistance to curb COVID-19 in this crucial time for our city, province, country, and the globe,” says PKED president and CEO Rhonda Keenan.
In particular, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is in need of protective gloves (nitrile only), N95 masks (with NIOSH of CE), ear loop masks (ASTMF2100-11, L2 rating or greater), ear loop masks with attached face shields, protective gowns (AAMI, L2 rating or greater), hand sanitizer (minimum 70% ethanol or 60%-70% isopropyl alcohol), and full-face shields with foam.
Due to the nature of COVID-19, the hospital is unable to accept donations of handmade masks or food and drink for hospital staff (until further notice).
Organizations and individuals who have any of the above supplies onhand and wish to donate them should visit the PHRC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Drive website at theppedrive.com/peterborough or email peterboroughppedrive@gmail.com.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have both called on businesses to supply products and services in response to COVID-19, through the federal Buy and Sell website and the recently launched provincial Ontario Together website.
These sites are intended to remove barriers that will allow the manufacturing sector to redeploy capacity towards the production of essential equipment such as ventilators, masks, gowns, and swabs.
There is a need for both products and support services, including:
The price of gas at the Shell station at Hunter and Burnham streets in Peterborough's East City dropped from 73.5 to 65.8 cents per litre minutes before this photo was taken on March 25, 2020. THe last time gas prices were this low was in 2003, and the price could continue to drop. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
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.
Owned and operated by the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre is located on Fleming College's Sutherland Campus at 775 Brealey Drive. (Photo: City of Peterborough)
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 City of Kawartha Lakes declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24, 2020. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)
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.
Nurse Simone Jackson wearing personal protective equipment in March 2020 as she prepares to open a swab to test a patient for COVID-19 in Peterborough Public Health's clinic. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health)
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.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has moved its by-appointment-only COVID-19 assessment centre from the emergency department to a mobile site, and has completed upgrades to its main entrance, which now features touch-free sliding doors. (Photo: PRHC)
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.
This map identifies the entrances that are currently available to the public at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. (Graphic: PRHC)
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:
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
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.
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