Peterborough Public Health Reports First COVID-19 Case In Long-Term Care Home

On Thursday (March 26th), Peterborough Public Health reported the first case of COVID-19 in a local long-term care home.

One resident has tested positive, while two others have respiratory symptoms. Both of these have tested negative. All three are residents of St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough and are in isolation at the facility. One staff member who also had symptoms and was referred to community paramedics for in-home testing last evening where they will remain in self-isolation.

Public Health Nurse Simone Jackson wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) as she prepares to open a swab to test a patient in our clinic for COVID-19. (Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Health)

Peterborough Public Health is investigating to determine if there is an epidemiological link to travel or 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 Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “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 March 14th based on the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

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Cavan FC Players Are Keeping The Ball Moving In Awesome Way To Stay United During Social Distancing

Liz Shaughnessy, who coaches in the Cavan FC league near Peterborough, got to thinking there must be a great way to galvanize all the Cavan FC players in this COVID-19 social distancing phase.

So to lift their spirits—and in lieu of doing laps—she put out a call to send her videos of how they were keeping the ball moving as a Keep The Ball Moving Challenge.

Coach Liz

“I expected a few video submissions to be sent to me but not the one hundred and fifty plus I received,” Coach Liz tells PTBOCanada.

“What I was reminded of is that your sports teams are part of your family and we are all missing each other right now in this normally busy pre-season!”

Coach Liz says the video submissions weren’t just from the soccer players. “We had some moms, dads, siblings of players—even a dog—get in on the action. And several of our men and women’s team players participated as well.”

We love this video so much—try not to smile as you watch it.

Watch it on YouTube below and share on Facebook…

When Coach Liz put out a call to all Cavan FC players to keep the ball moving she thought this was a fun way to unite our club but wasn't expecting over 150 ...

You can also watch it on Instagram here…

View this post on Instagram

When Coach Liz put out a call to all Cavan FC players to keep the ball moving she thought this was a fun way to unite our club but wasn’t expecting over 150 videos in 2 days! What she was reminded while making this video is that your sports team mates are part of your family and we are all missing each other right now in this normally busy pre season! Since this is the #keeptheballmoving challenge I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to watch all 8 mins of this video (what else is on tv these days) and try not to smile! Thank you to all who participated!! And anyone who didn’t extras laps when we get back!!

A post shared by Cavan FC Technical Trainers (@cfctrainers) on Mar 23, 2020 at 2:09am PDT

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How Community Can Support Patients & Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID‐19 Crisis

The PRHC Foundation has announced that effective immediately, anyone wishing to support Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) patients, frontline healthcare workers and staff during the COVID‐19 crisis can now do so with a dedicated donation.

PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway says that the COVID‐19 crisis will bring unprecedented challenges to PRHC. “Your hospital needs you now more than ever,” says Heighway. “We must ensure our frontline healthcare professionals and staff have the tools, technology and supports they need to care for their sickest patients—and themselves—during this difficult time.”

Photo via PRHC Foundation

With key needs ranging from lifesaving equipment and technology, to supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers and staff, critical funds are required now to ensure PRHC can respond quickly to their fast‐evolving needs as the impact of this virus is felt.

“PRHC’s expert healthcare professionals, staff and leaders are on the frontline of this crisis and they’re mobilizing,” adds Heighway. “They’re ramping up to ensure the right resources are in place, getting ready to take care of us and the people we love with the same expertise, compassion and dedication they demonstrate every day.”

“In the same way that PRHC’s teams are mobilizing to support you, we’re mobilizing now so we can be ready to support them as soon as help is needed,” she adds. “We must act quickly and do whatever we can to lessen the impact on our community, our hospital, its patients, and our frontline healthcare professionals. By making a donation and/or sharing a message of hope and thanks, you’ll be standing behind our frontline healthcare workers as they respond to the challenge ahead, helping to ease their burden.”

For more information or to donate over the phone, call (705) 876‐5000. To donate online, send a Grateful Hearts message, or send a message without a donation, visit prhcfoundation.ca. Donations will also be accepted by mail c/o PRHC Foundation, 1 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6.

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An Enhanced COVID-19 Assessment System Has Been Launched in Peterborough Area

Local healthcare partners have launched an improved way to assess and test residents for COVID-19 who live in the City and County of Peterborough, and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

The new model, developed in partnership by Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough Paramedics and Peterborough Public Health, now includes in-home assessment and testing for COVID-19 for residents who cannot travel to one of the existing assessment centres in Peterborough, or who should remain self-isolated.

Residents who have recently travelled and have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath are asked to contact their doctor or nurse practitioner or consult with a nurse at Peterborough Public Health by calling 705-743-1000 or emailing covid19@peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

Peterborough Public Health building

Based on the results of the screening, patients who require further assessment will either be referred to Peterborough Public Health for testing or to Peterborough Paramedics who will dispatch a special unit of paramedics to perform the testing in their home.

“We are very proud that our paramedics can now bring COVID-19 assessment and testing to residents in their homes upon referral by local healthcare providers,” says Randy Mellow, Chief of Peterborough Paramedics. “This new system will improve case detection while serving the needs of patients who are immobile or too sick to leave their homes.”

@PtboParamedics will be doing COVID19 testing in homes. pic.twitter.com/Xp21SafFSu

— Steve Guthrie (@SkunkRancher) March 19, 2020

“I’m pleased that we’re able to activate this approach right as the first local cases are starting to make themselves known,” adds Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “I also want to remind people that 80 percent of people ill with COVID-19 can manage with self-care only and that not everyone will be tested.”

Residents who require urgent care, such as breathing difficulties, are asked to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going to the emergency department. Peterborough Regional Health Centre has set up an assessment centre on site to test people for COVID-19 by appointment only.

Those who are concerned about being exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to take the online self-assessment tool for COVID-19 available at peterboroughpublichealth.ca entitled “Do I Have COVID-19?”

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Opens COVID-19 Assessment Centre, Will Move To Mobile Unit Soon

To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in Peterborough City and County, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre (the assessment centre will be moved to a mobile unit outside of the main hospital building on Monday, March 23rd).

If you suspect you might have COVID-19:

1. Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page

2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 x. 401

3. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms

HOW THE COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE AT PRHC WORKS

The Assessment Centre is currently located within a dedicated area inside the hospital’s Emergency Department at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough.

Assessments are available by appointment only after following the steps outlined above. Patients should attend the 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. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PRHC’s COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

• Patients who have had an assessment scheduled by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario should present to the entrance of the Emergency Department at least 15 minutes prior to their appointment time and follow the direction provided by the person screening patients and visitors.

• Patients coming for assessment should clean their hands and apply a face mask as directed when entering the hospital. From there, they will be redirected to the COVID-19 assessment area, where hospital staff will complete the assessment. Testing will be administered according to Ministry of Health guidelines according to the results of the assessment; not all patients who are assessed will be tested for COVID-19.

• Following their assessment, patients will be directed on next steps, which may include self-monitoring instructions, returning home to self-isolate while waiting for test results, or remaining in the Emergency Department for further assessment.

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Ross Memorial Hospital In Lindsay Just Opened A Drive-Thru COVID-19 Assessment Centre

To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in the City of Kawartha Lakes—the first positive case, a woman in her 60s, has been reported in the region—Ross Memorial Hospital opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre on Sunday morning (March 15th). 

If you suspect you might have COVID-19, do the following before going to the Assessment Centre…

1. An individual who has recent travel history outside of Canada AND symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should, complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page.

2. Contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or the HKPR District Health Unit (hkpr.on.ca) at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5020.

3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms. 

HOW THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE WORKS

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the hospital, 10 Angeline St. North, in Lindsay, within the Ambulance Bay.

It is a “drive-thru” centre, with marked entrance from Angeline St. N. The hours of operation are between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. At this time, patients seeking assessment at the centre are not required to make an appointment. Patients should attend the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre only on the advice of Telehealth or Public Health.

.@RossMemorial opened COVID-19 Assessment Centre today.

Recent travel history outside of Canada & fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing? Call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or @HKPRDHU at 1-866-888-4577 before attending the assessment centre. https://t.co/mwWEOtBHVu pic.twitter.com/w4vG2E1KZ1

— Ross Memorial (@RossMemorial) March 15, 2020

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

• Patients must enter by vehicle in the marked entrance from Angeline St. N and follow direction from staff or security to enter “Lane 2” (Lane 1 is reserved for Ambulances).

• Remain in vehicle at all times, unless instructed to exit the vehicle by staff.

• An assessment will be completed by clinical staff, with patients remaining in vehicle.

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre will assess and direct patients on next steps. For more info on the drive thru centre, click here.

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Peterborough Public Health Advises That Now Is The Time To Prepare For Possible Arrival Of COVID-19 In Area

While there are still no local cases and the risk of severe illness remains low, Peterborough Public Health is advising organizations and local residents that now is the time to get ready for the arrival of COVID-19 in our area.

As such, Peterborough Public Health has updated its website with clear steps residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus.

“Since there isn’t a vaccine developed yet, we will be mostly relying on behaviour changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We are just now at the tipping point where non-travel related transmission may start to occur in Ontario. Peterborough-area residents are known for their ability to pull together in demanding situations, so we are counting on everyone to do their part and protect their families and our most vulnerable groups from COVID-19.”

Some of the steps Peterborough Public Health recommends residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus include…

• For individuals and families, their focus should be on personal practices such as proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, not sharing water bottles, straws, etc., and staying home when sick. If you get sick with respiratory symptoms and think you may have COVID 19, call Peterborough Public Health at 705-743- 1000, ext. 401 to speak with a nurse, or after business hours, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

• For businesses and organizations, now is the time to complete Continuity of Operations plans in case of high absenteeism, consider cross-training staff for essential roles, and increase cleaning of workspaces. Please read Information for Workplaces on the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

• For those considering travel abroad, please visit the Government of Canada website for current travel advisories.

“Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are the ones at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID- 19,” adds Dr. Salvaterra. “With our high population of seniors and many local residents suffering the effects of poor health due to low-income, we will be working closely with the partner agencies who support them to put in place as many protective factors as possible.”

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.

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Peterborough-Based Health Food Startup Chimp Treats Just Landed Deal With Loblaws

The cool Peterborough-based health food startup Chimp Treats will have its frozen fruit product “Nicecream” hit a wave of Loblaws locations across Ontario starting on September 5th.

Nicecream will hit shelves across select Loblaws stores including the GTA, Ottawa, London and Barrie, and the next wave of locations will be in Québec in Loblaws’ Provigo Le Marché stores. After that, Chimp Treats aims to continue adding new locations until they reach all Loblaws stores across Canada by May 2019.

The team behind Chimp Treats: (left to right) Whitney, Brooke and Jillian.

The announcement is the latest for a company that has had huge momentum since launching just one year ago on the market. They are one of the fastest growing natural food brands in Canada.

Founder and CEO, Brooke Hammer, 23, launched Nicecream in 2017 and has since expanded coast-to-coast with niche retailers such as Whole Foods Market and Healthy Planet.

While attending Trent University in Peterborough, Hammer developed an innovative manufacturing process that allowed her to create the fruit-only frozen dessert on a large-scale, commercial basis. Since entering the market, the entrepreneur has continued to reach new stores and locations along with growing her team.

“It is an incredible time for innovative, start-up companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods  space,” says Hammer. “Companies like Loblaws are open to bringing in more innovative products by small brands to meet consumer demand.”

“Getting picked up by a national retailer like Loblaws is the ultimate milestone for any company in the consumer and packaged goods industry,” adds Rosalea Terry, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist for the Innovation Cluster, where Chimp Treats is housed. “They are on their way to becoming a mainstream brand.”

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