COVID-19

A unit in Kenora’s Pinecrest Home for the Aged is under COVID-19 restrictions after an outbreak.

Michelle Spencer, Assistant Administrator and Human Resources Manager with Kenora District Home for the Aged, says the COVID-19 outbreak was declared on August 22.

It came after one resident on Unit 1 presented with COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive. Then, after additional surveillance testing throughout the entire unit, two additional asymptomatic positives were discovered – resulting in a total of 3 positive residents as of August 22.

Five Manitobans who repeatedly violated pandemic public health orders have been handed fines. 

Provincial court Judge Victoria Cornick said during sentencing that a message must be sent that public health orders are to be respected and tickets did not deter the five after each offence. 

Tobias Tissen, Patrick Allard, Todd McDougall, Sharon Vickner and Gerald Bohemier admitted to breaking limits on outdoor public gatherings that were in place over several months in 2020 and 2021. 

Leadership with the Northwestern Health Unit is sounding the alarm about the spread of COVID-19 in the Kenora area, and is once again ‘strongly’ recommending that masks return in indoor spaces.

The Northwestern Health Unit held an impromptu media session on August 5 with regional media members, with an update from the region’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kit Young Hoon.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now open for Alberta children between the ages of six months and five years. 

As of Tuesday, August 2, 2022, parents and guardians can book appointments for a child's first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Health Minister Jason Copping says, “We are pleased to now offer a vaccine for families with children under the age of five. Parents are in the best position to decide whether the vaccination is right for their children, and we are providing them with the information they need to help them make that choice.”

COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children under five will be available for Albertans starting on August 2. 

“While most children are not at high risk of severe outcomes, children under five have higher risks than those age five to 11. I encourage parents and guardians to speak to a trusted health-care provider for questions about their child’s health, including questions about COVID-19 and immunization,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. 

Ontario’s workers will continue to have access to three paid sick days through the provincial government into early 2023.

The Ontario government introduced legislation to give employees up to three paid sick days per year in 2021 with a $200 reimbursement per day, if those workers didn’t already receive paid sick days through their employer and are missing work due to reasons related to COVID-19.

Ontario’s Worker Income Protection Benefit was set to end by July 31, but the program has now been extended to March 31, 2023.

Rickford offers his thoughts on expanded vaccine eligibility.  

Health Canada recently approved the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months to 5 years, however, our region is yet to see said vaccines.  

The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) says that they are waiting for the go-ahead from Ontario’s Ministry of Health as they are currently developing guidelines.   

The NWHU says COVID-19 cases are rising once again.  

In a recent press release, The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is advising the public that COVID-19 cases are increasing across the communities in the region.  

Currently, there are 315 active cases (according to PCR data) of COVID-19 in the region, with a percent positivity of 17.7 per cent, up from 12.8 per cent last week.  

Manitoba Health is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to allow younger children to be vaccinated.

Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced on Wednesday that eligibility will now include children aged six months to four years. This follows federal approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children in this age group, as well as clinical guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Albertans 18 years of age and older can book appointments for a second booster dose of mRNA vaccine five months or more after receiving their first booster dose. 

The province says starting Wednesday adults can start booking appointments.