COVID-19

We’re collectively just under two years into the global COVID-19 pandemic, and studies show that Canadians’ mental health is continuing to suffer.

The organizer of yesterday's local freedom rally, Deborah Murphy is feeling hopeful by the show of local support against vaccine mandates.

The local rally in support of the truckers convoy drew a massive crowd to Cochrane's Historic downtown on Sunday afternoon.

Ontario is moving into the first step of its three-stage reopening plan today after approving new regulations and public health measures last week.

Indoor social gathering limits have increased from five people to 10, and restaurants, bars, retailers, museums, religious services, movie theatres, meeting rooms and event spaces are now able to operate at 50 per cent capacity. Outdoor limits are set at 25 people.

As Ontario moves into step one of a three-step plan to reopen the province today (January 31, 2022) the Kenora Catholic, Keewatin Catholic, and Rainy River District Schools Boards have made a decision towards the return of extra-curricular activities.

The school boards have decided that as of January 31, 2022, all extra-curricular activities can resume regular practices.

Participants practicing need to follow all health and safety protocols, especially masking, and no spectators will be permitted to attend practices.

The provincial government reported there was a drop in the number of people in hospital with COVID19 Saturday, but also two deaths linked to the virus.

The daily update showed there were 1,032 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the province, while two deaths were reported. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there have now been 989 deaths linked to COVID-19.

There are currently 340 people in hospitals throughout the province receiving treatment for COVID-19, which is down by two from Friday. Of those, 36 were in intensive care, an increase of two.

A group of Kenora residents joined in solidarity Saturday afternoon to show their support for the Freedom Convoy, which has made its way to Ottawa.

Just before 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon a peaceful show of support was held for the convoy by residents at City Hall waving signs that read “No More Masks”, “I am Born Free”, “Faith Over Fear Hugs Not Masks”, and many more.

Numerous passing motorists showed their support by honking their horns on their way by.

Kenora resident Jackie McAllister came out in support Saturday to have her voice be heard.

Premier Jason Kenney is headed stateside to speak with governors and U.S. federal officials.

He wants the U.S. and Canadian governments to ease quarantine rules for unvaccinated truckers.

"We don't think there's any compelling health reason for this given that there are millions of Canadians with active Omicron infections, tens of millions of Americans with infections, the vast majority of truckers are vaccinated and the governments had granted a multi-month exemption to this rule, we simply ask them to restore this exemption," Kenney says.

The latest COVID-19 numbers are in.  

Currently, 1,496 people are in hospital with COVID-19, including 105 in intensive care.    

Thirteen deaths were reported on Friday (Jan.28), bringing the total to 3,531 since the start of the pandemic.    

The new measures concerning self-isolation and close contact protocols in Saskatchewan took effect on Friday.

The new measures state that those who test positive for COVID-19, whether it is via a PCR test or rapid antigen test, will be required to self-isolate for the later of five days or 48 hours after symptoms subside, regardless of vaccination status. Previously, those who were vaccinated would need to self-isolate for five days and those who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 would need to self-isolate for 10 days.

There are 12 more people with active COVID-19 cases in the hospital and a slight increase in intensive care patients Friday.

There are 715 people in the hospital, with 606 of those cases being active. This is an overall increase of four total hospitalizations and 12 active cases.

There are 52 people in intensive care with 46 of those people having active cases. This is an overall decrease of one person in intensive care, and an increase of two active cases.