For almost two years Canadians have heard the words COVID-19, pandemic, and coronavirus excessively as this virus has wreaked havoc across the world.
The virus is showing no signs of slowing down as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country and with the introduction of the new Omicron variant people have been on edge.
Northwestern Ontario hasn’t been hit as hard with the virus, in terms of high COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, or deaths as other areas of Ontario but still had its challenges and obstacles to overcome in 2021.
“COVID-19 has been hard on everyone including us as an organization. The workload has been very high lots of work occurring on weekends, and evenings. Sometimes the work is very chaotic because there is changing guidance, changing restrictions, and all that information needs to be filtered down in a timely matter,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit.
“I feel very lucky to work at the NWHU, the staff has been amazing, they’ve stepped up, they’ve learned new skills, learned new knowledge areas, they’ve handled very difficult situations. As a health unit, we’ve performed very well, we’ve gone above and beyond. I think in general things have gone well despite all the challenges,” added Young Hoon.
Even before the champagne was popped for 2021, Ontario was dealing with record-breaking daily COVID cases, which led Premier Doug Ford, and the Ontario government to issue a province-wide lockdown the day after Christmas in 2020.
"The number of daily cases continues to rise to put our hospitals and long-term care homes at risk," said Premier Ford.
"We need to stop the spread of this deadly virus. That's why, on the advice of Dr. Williams and other health experts, we are taking the difficult but necessary decision to shut down the province and ask people to stay home. Nothing is more important right now than the health and safety of all Ontarians."
On January 12, 2021, a State of Emergency was issued by the province after a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the province.
The State of Emergency included a stay-at-home order that began on January 14, 2021 and required residents to stay at home unless for essential purposes.
There was a glimmer of hope to an end, as the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine began throughout Ontario in early January to those in long-term care homes, health workers, and essential caregivers as part of Ontario’s vaccine rollout plan.
Moving forward until almost the end of January, Kenora received their first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine to administer to those in long-term care homes. By February 11, 2021, the Northwestern Health Unit completed the first round of vaccinations for all long-term care residents that wanted one.
The extension of province-wide shutdowns continued as on February 8, 2021, Premier Doug Ford extended stay-at-home orders until February 16, 2021, which included Northwestern Ontario.
Five days after Ford’s announcement, Kenora was seeing high COVID-19 cases, as on February 13, 2021, 38 new cases were found, and 63 cases in a week span.
COVID-19 outbreaks were starting to happen across the region as, on March 6, 2021, leadership with the Lake of the Wood District Hospital declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. Then on March 28, 2021, the Northwestern Health Unit declared a workplace outbreak at Dryden's Wal-Mart.
The vaccine rollout was still strong heading into the later part of March as first dose eligibility expanded to those over the age of 80. On March 22, 2021, the NWHU began hosting mass vaccination clinics across the region to get doses in arms.
Just before March ended the province activated their “emergency break” and announced their third lockdown since the pandemic began. It came into effect on April 3, 2021, and at the time of the announcement would last four weeks.
Just thirteen days after the lockdown came into effect the province extended the stay-at-home order until at least May 20, 2021. The original end date was scheduled for May 6, 2021.
Further restrictions came into effect as well as outdoor gatherings will be limited to only those in your own household all non-essential construction will close, and all outdoor recreational areas like golf courses, basketball courts, and playgrounds will close.
Then on April 19, 2021, all inter-provincial borders began having checkpoints. Exceptions into the province were only for the transportation of goods, necessary work, or medical care.
April of 2021 ended with an anti-mask rally in front of Dryden’s Government building on April 26, and no tickets were issued.
The protest was reportedly organized by anti-mask activist Chris “Sky” Saccoccia and the ‘Freedom Convoy’, who have been leading anti-mask and anti-health measure rallies across Canada since beginning their journey from Vancouver, British Columbia to Thunder Bay on April 22.
On April 29, 2021, it was announced that the first dose eligibility was expanded to those aged 55 and older.
Moving in May Premier, Doug Ford further extended the stay-at-home order a third time that was scheduled to end on May 6, 2021. The extension was set to end on June 2, 2021.
On May 14, 2021, Ontario’s Solicitor General Sylvia Jones has confirmed the interprovincial border restrictions set up at the Ontario-Manitoba border and Ontario-Quebec border will remain in effect through June 2.
May 23, 2021, marked the day that those aged 12 and older were eligible to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those aged 80 and older were eligible for their second dose on May 31, 2021, as the province was accelerating its vaccine rollout plan.
It was a great day for Ontarians on June 2, 2021, as the mandatory stay-at-home order ended that was in effect since April 8, 2021.
In an effort to reduce thousands of COVID-19 cases, the province announced on June 2, 2021, students would finish off the 2020-2021 school year learning virtually.
Due to an increase in vaccine supplies, the Ontario government accelerated their vaccine roll-out for early second doses that started June 7, 2021. It was for residents turning 70 and over in 2021, as well as individuals who received their first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine before April 18.
The Northwestern Health Unit expanded 2nd dose eligibility on June 16, 2021, for anyone who received a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least 28 days previously were eligible to receive their 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario entered into step one of the province's Roadmap to Reopen plan on June 11, 2021, which saw more outdoor activities and removed the restriction on the sale of non-essential goods.
After nearly two months the Ontario/Manitoba border restrictions were lifted on June 16, 2021, allowing travelers into the province for non-essential reasons.
After 21 days of being in step one of the province reopening plan, step two began on June 30, 2021. Step two focused on the continuation of more outdoor activities and limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn.
Life was good in Ontario on the COVID-19 front in July as case numbers were going down while vaccination numbers were going up.
Ontario entered into step three of the provinces Roadman to Reopen plan on July 16, 2021, which saw additional indoor services reopen with larger numbers of people while having restrictions in place.
In August, the first rollout of the third dose was made available to those considered the most at-risk of contracting COVID-19, such as those who are immunosuppressed, transplant recipients, and those living in long-term care homes.
Heading into late summer Ontario introduced the vaccine passport or proof of vaccination on September 22, 2021, that was needed to enter into a number of non-essential businesses.
A month later as most people in the region were vaccinated the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was rolling out for a second time. It was available for anyone living in a retirement home, long-term care home, elder care lodge, and seniors living in other congregate settings (including senior’s apartment buildings) can get a third dose if it has been at least five months since their second dose.
Also, people with certain medical conditions and/or people who have been prescribed certain medications are also eligible for their third dose at least two months after their second shot.
On that same day as COVID-19 cases were down the province announced its plan to safely open Ontario by March of 2022.
The goal of the plan was to gradually lift remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022. The plan will be guided by the ongoing assessment of key public health and health care indicators and supported by local or regional tailored responses to COVID-19.
On November 20, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) worked with the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) following COVID-19 exposures at Valleyview Public School and Sioux Narrows Public School.
As a result, one classroom at each school was closed and students moved to virtual learning to allow time for contact tracing.
Moving into November COVID-19 cases were on the rise, as it was getting colder and more people were staying inside. On November 23, 2021, it was reported of a COVID-19 outbreak at an unidentified business in Kenora.
Pfizer received approval for a COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11 on November 19, 2021. By November 23, 2021, kids were able to book their first dose.
Heading into the end of November the eligibility for third doses expanded once again. This time it was first responders, and people living in a retirement home, elder care lodge, or those living in a congregate setting for seniors, including designated essential caregivers.
November 24, 2021, is when Canada was introduced to the new South African Omicron COVID-19 variant after two travelers brought it back after a trip to Nigeria.
Early into December, it was announced that on the 13th Ontarians aged 50 and over were eligible to schedule their COVID-19 booster dose appointment if it's been approximately six months (168 days) since their second dose.
The Omicron variant caused the provincial government to push pause on their reopening plan and add additional health measures.
Additional safety measures came into effect as of December 19, as COVID-19 cases were on the rise and the Omicron variant was becoming more prevalent. The new measures saw reduced capacity limits in indoor settings and reduced gathering limits.
On December 20, 2021, third doses were opened to anyone over the age of 18 as long as it's been at least 3 months or 84 days since your second dose of the vaccine.
Just as people were gearing up for Christmas, COVID-19 cases in the Kenora area skyrocketed.
This led the City of Kenora to declare a local state of Emergency on December 21, 2021, and then close its doors to the public until January 4, 2022.
On December 22, 2021, the Omicron variant made its way to Kenora and Dryden confirmed by the NWHU. The health unit said both cases were related to travel.
That completes the COVID-19 journey through 2021. Hope you enjoyed the ride.