Hydro One & GlobalMedic Deliver 500+ Critical Aid Kits To Curve Lake First Nation

Hydro One and GlobalMedic—a registered Canadian charity specializing in disaster relief—have announced the delivery of more than 500 critical aid kits of food and safety supplies to Curve Lake First Nation to support those in need.

Photo courtesy Hydro One

A total of 13,500 kits made up of staple food items, reusable face masks and soap will be provided to Indigenous communities across the province.

Curve Lake First Nation will be distributing the kits at their physically distant Celebration of Sharing event on December 17th, where community members can access additional supports including meals for the holidays.

Kits of critical aid packed by Hydro One volunteers and GlobalMedic. (photo courtesy Hydro One)

“Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, we are grateful to have the support of community partners such as Hydro One and GlobalMedic,” says Chief Emily Whetung, Curve Lake First Nation.

“With the higher rates of complicating health factors in First Nation communities, every little bit of support we can provide goes a long way,” she adds. “Distributing these kits at the start of the holiday season will help create a sense of security and support the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

Photo courtesy Hydro One

"We are grateful to work with Indigenous communities during this challenging time," says Penny Favel, Vice President Indigenous Relations, Hydro One.

"Extending our partnership with GlobalMedic is one way we are able to support Indigenous communities and families, including Curve Lake First Nation, to help meet immediate needs.”

Photo courtesy Hydro One

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Peterborough’s Eastgate Memorial Park COVID-19 Testing Site Relocating Back To Northcrest Arena For Testing Inside

The COVID-19 testing centre currently located at Eastgate Memorial Park will relocate to Northcrest Arena at 100 Marina Blvd. effective Monday, October 26th to accommodate colder weather through the fall and winter seasons.

Once relocated, this site will no longer offer drive-through testing; individuals with appointments will be asked to come inside the arena for their test.

Operating hours will continue to be 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and testing is available by appointment only. The final day of operations at Eastgate Memorial Park will be on Friday, October 23.

The link to the booking tool is available through the PRHC website and on the Peterborough Public Health website. If you are looking to book an appointment for the Northcrest Arena site, you must meet at least one of the following screening criteria: 

• You are showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 

• Peterborough Public Health has informed you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19

• You have received a notification through the COVID-19 Alert App 

• You are part of an outbreak investigation as informed by Peterborough Public Health

• You are required to be tested routinely, such as staff at long-term care and retirement homes

• You are planning an indoor visit with a loved one at a long-term care home

• You are a traveler without symptoms and require a test to confirm you do not have COVID-19 before travelling internationally

• You have been advised by a medical professional that testing is required prior to a procedure

• You are required to be tested before admission to a congregate setting or other facility
  

HOW IT WORKS WHEN ARRIVING AT NORTHCREST ARENA FOR TESTING

-> Arrive inside the main entrance at Northcrest Arena five minutes in advance of your booked appointment. 

-> Clean your hands as you enter the arena and wear a mask inside at all times except when you are being tested. Please also keep a physical distance of two metres between yourself and other people. Remember to bring your Ontario Health Card and driver’s licence with you.

-> With the new, appointment-based system in place, traffic issues are not expected to be a concern as the COVID-19 testing service returns to the Northcrest site.

You can access your test results online using your Ontario Health Card number at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/  or by calling your healthcare provider.

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Peterborough Public Health Launches Handy New Local COVID-19 Data Tracker Tool

Peterborough Public Health has launched a new local COVID-19 data tracker available at localcovidtracker.ca.

This interactive online tool is updated by 5:00 p.m. daily, and allows residents to stay on top of all COVID-19 cases, outbreaks and related statistics for the Peterborough area.

Screengrab from localcovidtracker.ca on October 9th, 2020

“This COVID-19 Tracker allows residents to sort local data by different filters, such as time frame and type of outbreak,” says Jane Hoffmeyer, Manager of Foundational Standards, whose team developed the COVID-19 Tracker.

“It also uses charts and other graphics to visualize the data, making it easier to understand how the pandemic is affecting us locally,” adds Hoffmeyer.

Screengrab from localcovidtracker.ca on October 9th, 2020

The COVID-19 Tracker includes local data on:

• New, active and resolved cases

• Sources of exposure

• Hospitalizations

• Outbreak information for long-term care, retirement homes, and schools

Screengrab from localcovidtracker.ca on October 9th, 2020

Hoffmeyer notes that Peterborough Public Health’s current COVID-19 case status webpage sees more than 4,500 unique views daily, and recently spiked at 7,265 views following reports of the first local school-related COVID-19 case.

Screengrab from localcovidtracker.ca on October 9th, 2020

Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 Tracker is the community’s central repository for local COVID-19 data. It also includes links to data resources available on provincial and federal websites and from neighbouring public health units.

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Reimagined Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure This Year In Peterborough & Beyond

For almost 30 years, the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure has united a collective of Canadians who are a force-for-life in the face of breast cancer.

This year, being physically apart won’t stop them from coming together to make a difference. The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and CIBC are inviting local residents to join the reimagined CIBC Run for the Cure, taking place on Sunday, October 4. 

Every day, more than 75 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer. As a higher risk population, people living with cancer rely on the same healthcare system that is still responding to COVID-19 and its impacts. 

Photo from 2019 courtesy CIBC Run for the Cure Peterborough

“Now more than ever, the CIBC Run for the Cure needs your support to ensure that no Canadian has to face breast cancer alone,” says Nicole Kirton, Volunteer Run Director, Canadian Cancer Society. “Cancer doesn’t stop being a life-changing and life-threatening disease in the middle of a pandemic and that’s why we will never stop running to support people affected by breast cancer.” 

The 2020 CIBC Run for the Cure has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind experience with both physical and virtual components. Through their refreshed, easy-to-use mobile app and website, participants can create and customize their own virtual runner, fundraise to unlock rewards and track their activity. On Run Day, participants will join the online opening ceremonies before heading out to walk or run in their neighbourhood. 

Photo from 2019 courtesy CIBC Run for the Cure Peterborough

The opening ceremonies will be livestreamed on Canadian Cancer Society’s Facebook and YouTube channels at 11:30 a.m. EST and will be hosted by Jully Black, the award-winning singer-songwriter dubbed Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul. Viewers can also expect performances from Barenaked Ladies, Jess Moskaluke and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. 

The Run is the largest single-day, volunteer-led event in Canada in support of the breast cancer cause. Canadians can register for or donate to the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure at cibcrunforthecure.com. 

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Peterborough’s Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Site Is Relocating From Northcrest Arena To Eastgate Memorial Park

In response to higher-than-usual testing volumes over the last week, Peterborough’s drive-through COVID-19 testing centre will relocate to Eastgate Memorial Park (2150 Ashburnham Drive) effective, Monday, September 21st. Operating hours for the testing site will remain Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The move to this new location will help to accommodate higher-than-normal testing volumes seen at the drive-through since Labour Day. On Tuesday, September 15th, more than 420 people were tested.

Photo at Northcrest Arena courtesy PRHC

Lines at testing centres in communities across Ontario have grown longer in recent days, and testing capacity is limited in many areas. People should first seek testing options within the area where they live, work, or attend school.

Peterborough’s drive-through testing centre is intended for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact PRHC’s Assessment Centre directly by phone at 705-876-5086 to determine whether an appointment is required. If you have been advised to be tested due to an exposure, seek testing and follow public health recommendations to self-isolate or self-monitor. 

Photo courtesy PRHC

The final day of operations at Northcrest Arena will be Friday, September 18th.

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Peterborough’s Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Centre First In Province To Use Handheld Devices For Lab Automation

Peterborough’s drive-through COVID-19 testing centre is the first in the province to implement new handheld devices to digitize COVID-19 lab requisitions—an important step forward in improving the quality and performance of end-to-end testing for patients, care providers and labs.

Working with Ontario Health, Peterborough County/City Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and the City of Peterborough have partnered to introduce handheld technology and barcoded labels for all COVID-19 tests done at the centre. Staff can now collect a patient’s information by scanning their health card and driver’s license, capturing everything required for a digital lab requisition. 

Photo courtesy PRHC

The drive-through testing centre implemented the handheld devices on Wednesday, September 2nd, and in the first five days of use, 1523 people were scanned.

The benefits of the handheld devices include: 

• More complete and higher-quality data when capturing patient information

• Faster processing and easier matching of the requisition to the test

• More legible requisitions, making it easier for laboratory staff to process each test

The testing clinic is now located at Northcrest Arena. Operating hours continue to be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

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Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing At Kinsmen Centre To Continue Until Further Notice

Peterborough Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Peterborough Public Health have announced that the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre will continue to operate weekly from Monday to Friday until further notice.

Photo courtesy PRHC

Here are the changes in hours and other key info you need to know:

• Until Friday, July 24th, the drive-through clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre for residents without symptoms will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• Starting Monday, July 27th, the hours will change to 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The clinic will continue to be open Monday to Friday.

• Testing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that children under one year old will not be swabbed at this clinic and should be referred to their family healthcare provider for testing. This clinic is regularly evaluated and may adjust operations based on demand.

  Those wishing to be tested on the weekend (with or without symptoms) can call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at PRHC at 705-876-5086 to book an appointment. The PRHC Assessment Centre runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, seven days a week, by appointment only.

• Bring your Ontario Health Card with you. You can access your testing results using your Ontario Health Card number on the provincial online portal here.

For more information about COVID-19, click here.

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Here Are The New Hours For The Kinsmen Drive Through COVID-19 Testing Clinic

UPDATED POST (June 19th):

Peterborough Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Peterborough Public Health announced today that the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre will continue from Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26 until further notice. 

Those wishing to be tested on the weekend (with or without symptoms) can call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at PRHC at 705-876-5086 to book an appointment. The PRHC Assessment Centre operates by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, seven days a week.

—————

ORIGINAL POST

Hours of operation are changing for the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre.

The drive-through clinic at the Kinsmen Civic Centre for residents without symptoms will operate from Monday to Friday only from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and continue until at least Friday, June 19th. This clinic is regularly evaluated and may adjust operations based on demand.

Those wishing to be tested on the weekend (with or without symptoms) can call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at PRHC at 705-876-5086 to book an appointment. The PRHC Assessment Centre operates by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, seven days a week.

Photo courtesy PRHC

One-day drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics continue throughout the County of Peterborough until June 17th. For a list of upcoming clinics, visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on the link for Testing.

Testing clinics are led by the Peterborough Paramedics with support from PRHC, the City of Peterborough, the County of Peterborough and Peterborough Public Health. Remember to bring along your Ontario Health Card with you.

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The Future Canadian Canoe Museum Build Impacted By Environmental Contamination

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) has announced that the results of its own independent investigations confirm that the designated site for the future building of the new Canadian Canoe Museum has been found to contain an industrial solvent, the chemical compound trichloroethylene (TCE). 

The ground water at 353 Hunter Street East, owned by Parks Canada, is believed to have been contaminated by chemicals seeping from an adjacent property. The 83,400 square-foot facility museum was to be located alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

“All of us at the Canoe Museum, our project partners and supporters, are highly concerned and extremely disappointed by the situation,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum, in a media release.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) this week issued a Provincial Officers Order, under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), to the owner at an adjacent property directing it to undertake air quality, ground water and additional onsite investigations and to provide associating remediation plans.

“We are working with all parties including the MECP, Parks Canada and our community and funding partners to evaluate the overall impacts of these findings to our operations and our new museum build,” adds Hyslop.

“While the full implications of this environmental interruption are not yet fully known, we are fully committed to building a new world-class museum that will deliver on its vision and serve the needs of its patrons and local community while honouring and preserving this unique cultural asset of national significance.”

A Canadian Canoe Museum representative tells PTBOCanada in an email that they are “evaluating the situation to understand the full impacts to its operations and future new museum build, and further announcements will be made once a direction has been determined.”

[UPDATE: The Canoe Museum representative clarifies to us in a subsequent email that “testing was undertaken as part of the regular environmental assessments required for any build project. The museum relied on experts and consultants to do this testing and to provide the necessary reporting. The results reported today are the outcome of recent independent testing undertaken by the museum confirming the presence of the industrial solvent.”]

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