Peterborough Police Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

The Peterborough Police have implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The policy came into effect on Oct. 7, 2021, with the Peterborough Police Service strongly recommending that all members be vaccinated against COVID-19. Members have until November 19 2021, to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or have received a medical exemption. For Members who are unvaccinated, additional safety measures including rapid antigen testing will be required effective November 20, 2021.

“Our mission is to protect the communities we serve, and this policy shows residents and members that the Peterborough Police Service is committed to doing our part,” said Chief Scott Gilbert.

The policy was developed in coordination and consultation with the Occupational Health and Safety Committee of the Peterborough Police Service, the Peterborough Police Association, the Senior Officers Association, Peterborough Public Health, the City of Peterborough, legal advisors, and other police services.

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Peterborough Public Health Releases Suggestions for a Safe Thanksgiving

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) released on Wednesday several recommendations for celebrating Thanksgiving in a COVID-safe way.

Larry Stinson will act as the interim CEO of Peterborough Public Health until Dr.Thomas Piggot assumes The role on Dec. 1. File photo.

“Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family is an important part of the holiday. To protect our vulnerable residents, we recommend family and friends screen for COVID-19 symptoms before attending any gatherings. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms,” said Donna Churipuy, Director of Public Health Programs. “This is especially important if celebrating indoors with people who are only partially vaccinated or not vaccinated yet.”

For a lower risk gathering PPH suggests to:

• Plan a small gathering of fully vaccinated individuals, indoors or outdoors.

• Plan a small gathering outdoors of individuals with mixed vaccine status (where some are vaccinated, some are only partially vaccinated or not vaccinated).

• Before anyone comes in your home, check to make sure they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, have not been identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, and are not waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

• Connect with family and friends virtually.

• Stay local, and try to limit travel.

• Continue to practice good hand hygiene.

• Use face coverings in moderate to high risk settings, and whenever required in public spaces.

The following activities are considered moderate risk:

• Small gatherings of individuals with mixed vaccine status, indoors with masking where distancing is not possible.

• Medium-sized gatherings with individuals attending who are not vaccinated, or partially vaccinated.

• Sharing drinks or food.

It is recommended to avoid:

• Going to social gatherings, including religious services, if you are sick, awaiting testing results, or are a close.

contact of someone with COVID-19.

• Large crowds or events - follow capacity limits, social distancing, and masking rules if you decide to attend.

Self-screening can be done online here.

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Camp Kawartha Celebrates Opening of New Rotary Health Centre

Following a multi-year fundraising campaign, Camp Kawartha (CK) formally opened its new Rotary Health Centre announced on Saturday. 

(left to right) David Goyette; Jason Huffman, Past Board CK Chair; Myke Healy, CK Board Chair; Liam Churchill, CK Board Director. Photo Courtesy of Camp Kawartha.

Camp Kawartha boasts the building as one of the most environmentally responsible in Canada. The 2,070 square foot building is a straw bale construction that features net-zero utility costs, zero toxins, zero fossil fuel use, zero waste output and a zero-carbon footprint.

Designed by the local firm Straworks, it showcases the use of natural building materials – the majority of them local – as well as elements such as a living roof, energy-efficient radiant heat and super-insulated walls that sequester carbon.   

Named for the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the building represents ongoing cooperation between the Camp and the Club, both of whom are celebrating their centennials this year.

The Club is the primary financial sponsor of the Centre. Building on that sponsorship, a fundraising campaign led in 2020 and 2021 by David Goyette has now raised more than $470,000.  

Wayne Harding, Rotary President recognized those Rotarians who first initiated the development of the Camp as a Club project in 1921.

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Camp Kawartha, and we are honoured to have our name associated with this outstanding project,” he said. “This building makes all of us leaders in the drive to reduce carbon emissions and sets Camp Kawartha apart as a trailblazer in environmentally sustainable construction.” 

Photo Courtesy of CK.

“We are here today to marvel at this extraordinary building. The Board of Directors is thankful to the many individuals, organizations, foundations, and businesses who supported the vision of this exciting and unique project,” said Myke Healy, Camp Kawartha Board Chair. “This building is a testament to human ingenuity and Camp Kawartha’s mission. Not only is it a beautiful and fully functional health centre, it is a building that inspires camp visitors and teaches about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.” 

The Rotary Health Centre will provide educational opportunities for students, builders, architects, and campers to learn about carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life cycles and green-waste management systems. 

Building tour information is available at info@campkawartha.ca.  

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Remy Peters Becomes the Final Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Remy Peters becomes the final Petes Frontline Worker Drop the Puck winner announced on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Peters is a respiratory nurse who has been splitting his time between the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Sunnybrook Hospital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Peters was spending most of his time at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital but slowly transitioned to the PRHC due to the increased demand for respiratory nurses in the Peterborough area.

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

“Both Remy and his wife are frontline workers, and have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic,” said Stephanie Phillips-Nopes, who nominated Peters. “Remy is a kind-hearted man and never complains about his job and has been through a lot during the pandemic. He is a huge Petes fan and deserves a little bit of recognition for his efforts.”

Six frontline workers will take part in the Petes ceremonial puck drop at the maroon and white home opener on Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m. This game will also mark the first time the Petes and Peterborough Memorial Centre reveal the new, state of the art video board to fans.

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Ontario COVID-19 Go-VAXX Bus Will Stop in Peterborough Region

Peterborough Public Health is partnering with the province to bring the mobile Go-VAXX bus to the Peterborough Region, announced on Wednesday.

Stock photo

The Go-VAXX bus is a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic able to administer COVID-19 vaccines in various areas of the community.

On Sunday the Go-VAXX bus will be stopping at:

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum, 104 Lang Rd, Keene ON 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Lansdowne Place Mall, 645 Lansdowne St, W. Peterborough ON 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

“We continue to see high rates of first doses being administered at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics,” said Donna Churipuy, Director of Public Health Programs. “This shows us that our community pop-up clinics are helping residents access the vaccine and we remain committed to making it as easy as possible for the community to get vaccinated, especially in the County of Peterborough.”

COVID-19 vaccine clinics will continue to run throughout the month of October.

“Through great partnerships with our municipalities, local district school boards, private schools, and postsecondary institutions, Peterborough Public Health has been able to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics for school age children and their families throughout the region,” said Churipuy.

Unless stated, school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics are open to all community members who are 12 years of age or older as of 2021.

A full list of upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/walkin or by calling 705-743-1000.

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Schools To Be Served Healthy Food Through Student Nutrition Programs

Over 50 student nutrition programs will be run in schools supported by Food for Kids Peterborough and County announced on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

Choices include whole fruit, sliced vegetables, whole grain muffins and packaged cheese. Nutrition programs are an important part of academic and personal success according to Luisa Magalhaes, Peterborough Public Health dietitian.

“Nourished students learn and behave better”, she explains. “Water and a variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein foods help keep us healthy. This is even more important during a pandemic.”

Growing evidence shows connections between healthy eating and positive mental health Magalhaes adds.

Last school year, Food for Kids worked with community partners to help feed hungry students. School food boxes with local produce and cheese fed at-school learners.

Vulnerable families of school-age children received food baskets for at-home learners, grocery gift cards and fresh produce boxes.

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Dragon Boat Festival Raises Over $90,000 For PRHC Breast Assessment Centre

The fight against breast cancer takes another step forward as Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival members donated $91,853.20 to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation at Peterborough Square on Thursday.

To date, the festival has raised more than $3.7 million for cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment through the PRHC Foundation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money is towards a diagnostic ultrasound machine for the Breast Assessment Centre at the PRHC which Dragon Boat Festival had raised money for in their first-ever campaign. It will aid in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The target goal was $84,509.18, a specific figure that was quickly addressed by Gina Lee, 2021 festival chair.

“We also realized that we have come full circle and to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we decided our goal would be to match the $84,509.18 donation we made to the PRHC Foundation 20 years ago when we were first starting out,” she said.

Volunteers from Survivors Abreast, the Dragon Boat Festival organizing committee, PRHC reps and sponsors were in attendance to unveil the final amount raised.

This year’s event was run virtually where teams were challenged to hold virtual races online. Points were awarded to individuals and teams for participation, fundraising and video or photo submissions.

The number of cancer treatment patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area is trending upward every year. 

“The hospital’s mission to provide world-class cancer care, close to home, remains as important as ever. So the support of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival and our community is vital,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC President and CEO. “This state-of-the-art equipment will provide better quality images so radiologists can detect smaller, difficult-to-see breast abnormalities quickly and accurately. This will help save lives.”

Survivors Abreast is the festival host team and is overjoyed of the Festival’s impact on the PRHC.

“Our goals remain the same,” said Marg Walsh, Survivors Abreast President. “To raise funds for the best cancer care in our community, to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage participation in the festival. None of this would be possible without the generous spirit of giving in our community and the joint efforts of our sponsors, volunteers, enthusiastic paddlers and donors.”

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Trent Athletics Centre Temporarily Closed to Update Vaccine Passport Screening Measures

Following the Ontario government’s announcement of the enhanced Provincial COVID-19 vaccine certificate system, the Trent Athletics Centre will require all visitors and staff to provide proof of vaccination and identification to enter the facility.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The Athletics Centre will be closed on Wednesday to allow updates to their booking system to support these new screening measures to e made.

The centre will open again on Thursday.

Students who are fully vaccinated and have updated their Vaccine Profile through myTrent will be permitted to book workout times online. Data from the secure myTrent site will be integrated with the Athletics Centre’s online booking system to allow for a seamless transition to the new screening requirements for students.

Trent staff, faculty and community members with memberships will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification during the screening process at the door before entering the facility. This screening will be required each visit.

All students, staff and faculty must also complete, and pass, Trent’s mandatory screening each day before coming to campus.

Individuals wishing to visit the Planet Café will not be required to show proof of vaccination to gain access.

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Ontario Vaccine Passport Program Now in Effect

After three weeks since Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that non-essential businesses in the province must participate in a vaccine passport program, residents who are 12 or older must now show proof of vaccination.

Screenshot

Starting on Wednesday residents in Ontario will need to have proof of having received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“There are a lot of people who are concerned about this policy and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand your concerns about protecting your civil liberties and right to privacy,” said Doug Ford. “While many fully vaccinated people like myself share these concerns, the greater concern is having to shut down again or experience a sudden surge in cases like in Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

Vaccine passports are currently available online.

On Oct. 22 a QR code-based mobile application is set to launch for use by residents and businesses in place of physical vaccination receipts.

Those that do not wish to use this or do not have a mobile phone can print off an enhanced receipt with a QR code that can be scanned. Anyone without access to a printer can call call 1-833-943-3900 for assistance.

Businesses can download a free app that will scan and verify QR codes. Those checking for proof of vaccination at businesses are encouraged to match the patrons I.D to their vaccine passport and to ensure that their second dose was administered at least 14 days prior.

Identification that will be accepted with proof of vaccination includes a driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, Ontario photo card or other government-issued identification, Indian status card or Indigenous membership card or a permanent resident card.

Proof of vaccinations will be required at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, concert venues, gyms and fitness facilities, theatres, cinemas, racetracks, waterparks, TV and film productions with studio audiences, sports venues, casinos and gaming establishments, meeting and event spaces, strip clubs and bathhouses.

Proof of vaccination will not be required when entering a building to use a washroom, pay for an order, accessing an outdoor area that can only be done through an indoor way, placing or picking up a to-go order or purchasing admission to an outdoor event.

Children under 12 or anyone with a medical exemption will not need to show proof of vaccination.

Examples of medical exemptions include severe allergies, anaphylaxis, myocarditis or pericarditis.

Individuals who do not comply with screening or present false documents are fined starting at $750 and $1,000 for businesses under the Reopening Ontario Act.

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