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Peterborough COVID-19 Risk Index Remains in “Moderate”
/Peterborough’s COVID-19 Risk Index remains in the “Moderate” level this week as reported by Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Thursday.
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“I am cautiously optimistic to see that transmission is remaining steady,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, medical officer of health. “However, with colder weather around the corner, we anticipate transmission will increase as more people are gathering indoors.”
Dr. Piggott is reminding residents to revisit COVID-19 prevention measures to protect themselves against the virus.
“Let’s get back to the basics,” he said. “Mask use, outdoor gatherings, staying home when you are sick and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines continue to be very effective tools to keep you safe against COVID-19.”
Dr. Piggott emphasized the importance of the Local COVID-19 Risk Index as a tool to help individuals make personal decisions about their health. Current guidance recommended under the “Moderate” level is to:
wear a mask in high-risk indoor settings or when interacting with high-risk individuals
limit indoor social gatherings to no more than 25 people, and
limit attendance at high-risk indoor settings
Increased precautions are important for those at risk of severe disease including those not yet vaccinated, with medical risk factors for severe disease, immunocompromised states and the elderly according to PPH.
Dr. Piggott emphasized the importance of remaining up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
“The COVID-19 vaccine remains the best protection against severe disease related to a COVID-19 infection,” explained Dr. Piggott. “At this time, residents six months of age and older can walk in for their COVID-19 vaccines at the Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.”
For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility guidance and clinic calendar and clinic location, visit PPH’s website.
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Peterborough Public Health Confirms West Nile Virus In Local Mosquitoes
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has confirmed that City of Peterborough mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) that were trapped from Aug. 8 to last Thursday.
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This is the first positive mosquito pool found in Peterborough this year according to PPH. As of Aug. 6th, there have been 14 WNV-positive mosquito pools in Ontario but none in humans as stated by Public Health Ontario. During the summer and early fall months, PPH sets traps weekly throughout the City and County of Peterborough to gather mosquito specimens for WNV testing.
“Now that we’ve identified mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in our area, it’s especially important that residents take care to prevent mosquito bites,” said Joshua Laite of the health unit’s Vector-borne Disease Program. “This is a good reminder for residents to get rid of any standing water in their yards and to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
Laite noted that the majority of WNV cases do not show symptoms. About 20 per cent of infected people may have a mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches. Occasionally there can be a skin rash and swollen lymph nodes or other non-specific symptoms that last several days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting or eye pain. Less than one per cent of infected people will develop the neuro-invasive disease, with older age groups and males disproportionately affected.
Although the risk of becoming infected is low, prevention against mosquito bites is the best protection. Individuals can protect themselves from bites in several ways:
Cover up when going outside between the hours of dusk and dawn. Remember to wear:
a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and long pants (tucked into your socks for extra protection)
light-coloured clothing so mosquitoes are easily spotted o Wear special clothing that is designed to protect you from bugs when you know you’ll be outdoors for an extended period of time
Use insect repellant containing DEET. (DEET is a powerful chemical. Always read the label directions for use. Or, ask your pharmacist for help when choosing a DEET product.)
Clean up:
once a week, get rid of standing water around your home (mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, even small amounts)
keep bushes and shrubs clear of overgrowth and debris (adult mosquitoes like to rest in dense shrubbery)
turn your compost pile often
“To prevent this virus from spreading, we're encouraging any residents to get rid of any standing water on their property to remove breeding pools,” said Sarah Gill, PPH communications manager. “For personal protection, use clothing to cover bare skin and use mosquito repellent when heading outdoors.”
The City of Peterborough has historically used the application of larvicides in the catch basins in the City and County according to PPH. This is to help control the local population of mosquitoes to help protect the public from WNV.
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Peterborough Public Health Issues Warning After Suspected Drug Poisoning In The Area
/Peterborough Public Health has issued a warning following an increase in suspected drug poisonings in the Peterborough area.
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On Friday and Saturday (August 12-13), Peterborough Public Health detected a higher than usual number of opioid-related Paramedic Calls for Service. Over these two days, there were a total of 9 drug poisonings that were treated by paramedics and the emergency department. This is presumed to be the result of a product that may contain benzodiazepines. A benzo-related overdose may last for hours and make it hard to wake up an individual.
This high number of paramedic calls for service has prompted Peterborough Public Health to issue a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harms to the community. Peterborough Public Health is reminding the public that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances.
Beware that using even a small amount of drug can be fatal. Give Naloxone. This may improve breathing, but may not help the individual regain consciousness. It is important to call 911, and continue to monitor breathing until medical help arrives.
If you use drugs, Peterborough Public Health recommends that you:
Don’t use drugs alone. Visit the Consumption Treatment Services site at 220 Simcoe Street (open 9:30am-8pm, 7 days/week).
If using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.
Have a plan – Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.
Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.
Avoid mixing drugs.
Test your drug by using a small amount first.
Call 911 immediately if someone cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.
Peterborough Public Health encourages everyone to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and know what to do:
Skin is cold and clammy
Fingernails or lips are blue or purple
Body is very limp
Can’t wake the person up
Deep snoring or gurgling sounds
Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped
Pupils are very small
• If an overdose is witnessed: Call 911. Give naloxone. Continue to check for breathing. Stay with the person until help arrives.
• Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.
Residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions using the ‘Drug Reporting Tool’. Any information shared through the tool supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough area. The Drug Reporting Tool can be accessed by clicking here.
For more information, or to find out how to access naloxone, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for “Opioids” or click here.
PRHC Emergency Department Pressured With Max Bed Capacity and Staffing Shortages; Urge Patients to See Other Clinics If Possible
/The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is experiencing heavy pressure having to operate with staff shortages, deal with constant maximum in-patient capacity and have COVID-19 outbreaks announced in a Zoom conference on Thursday morning.
There were 191 patients admitted to PRHC on July 17 which is considered a high number. Photo by Luke Best.
Dr. Lynn Mikula, chief medical executive and chief of staff issued says the pressure has been ongoing for a number of months that preceded the pandemic but COVID-19 has made the situation more serious.
“We are seeing higher patient acuity meaning that more people who come to the emergency department (ED) are sick enough to need admission to the hospital,” she said.
On July 17, PRHC reported that 191 patients needed to be admitted which is a high number according to Dr. Mikula. She continued saying last month would on average take a person eight hours from entering the ED to departure.
Dr. Mikula urges incoming patients to seek other forms of medical attention that can be treated outside the ED if possible but PRHC will not redirect patients if they deem an ED trip is not necessary.
She suggests using Telehealth Ontario to triage the severity of a condition to go to the emergency room or seek an alternative form such as a family doctor, walk-in clinic or virtual clinic.
“As a general rule of thumb, I think people know if they’re really ill,” she said. “If it’s a more mild condition that you would see your family doctor for, even if you can’t reach your family doctor, explore some of those other options.”
When questioned if Monkeypox has played a role in the contributing pressure, Dr. Mikula said it was an ‘evolving situation,’ they are not yet affected but will notify the public if and when it does.
PRHC has been dealing with staff shortages, especially in the nursing department but is also hiring ‘basically everybody’ according to Dr. Mikula. Roles include technologists, allied health staff and environmental and accountants.
As of June 2022, PRHC had a total of 275 vacancies with a 9.25 per cent vacancy rate for all hospital positions according to Michelene Ough, PRHC director of communications.
“Like other hospitals, we also have ongoing staffing shortages, said Dr. Mikula. “This has required us to focus our limited ED resources where they are most needed. The hospital is very full, operating at or above 100 per cent of its in-patient bed capacity.
On June 5, 2019, the provincial government imposed Bill 124 that wage-suppressed healthcare workers to only a one percent increase over three years. Dr. Mikula suggests that the bill partially affected the shortage but says they need a whole “coordinated system response” to help rectify the problem.
COVID-19 has been a contributing factor to the occupied bed capacity. PRHC reported an outbreak from two patients as of Wednesday and holds 18 people total who are infected with the infamous virus.
Dr. Mukula assured the public that PRHC is prepared in case of another COVID-19 wave or strain hits Peterborough.
“We continue to have our incident management system monitor COVID-19, meet regularly, look at the infection control measures and the other measures that we have in place. We’re ready to scale them up if needed,” she said. “I would say if that’s one thing the last two years have taught us, it’s that we need to be prepared to manage another wave at any time and there are a lot of people who are predicting another wave in the fall so ready and we’re waiting.”
PRHC stated they have explored several recruitment avenues such as the international nurse graduate program to help fill the void. They have been actively recruiting nurses during their pressured months.
“The problem is that every other hospital in Ontario is doing exactly the same thing so we’re all basically competing now for a limited pool but not only nurses but technologists and all the other support staff,” said Dr. Mukula.
Last fall, the federal government imposed mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers at the risk of losing their jobs for anyone failing to comply.
Mukula estimated over 95 per cent of healthcare workers were vaccinated at the time of the mandate and PRHC enforces a policy where all current employees are vaccinated.
“That is not one of the factors that have landed us in the staffing shortages situation we are facing today,” said Dr. Mukula.
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Peterborough Public Health Holds First Monkeypox Vaccine Clinic
/Beginning Aug. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is hosting the first Monkeypox vaccine clinic at the Sexual Health Clinic announced on Wednesday.
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Eligible residents will be provided with a single dose of Imvamune as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The clinic is not intended for close contact with a confirmed or probable case of monkeypox according to PPH. Residents who think they might be a close contact are advised to immediately call their health care provider or Peterborough Public Health to report their status and receive guidance.
Appointments can be booked by calling the Sexual Health Clinic at 705-748-2021 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time.
“The World Health Organization now describes Monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Peterborough Public Health encourages all eligible members of the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community who are at high receive protection through vaccination before exposure.”
There have been 326 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ontario since Monday according to PPH. Peterborough Public Health has had two confirmed cases during that time.
The vaccine may prevent monkeypox infection or prevent the development of severe symptoms as stated in the press release. Currently, there is a limited supply of Imvamune® in Ontario.
Eligibility:
Anyone over 18 who meets the requirements, has not received a COVID-19 vaccine within the past four weeks and at least one of the following is eligible for the vaccine:
Have received a diagnosis of bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past two months
Have had two or more sexual partners within the past 21 days or may be planning to
Have attended venues for sexual contact within the past 21 days (i.e., bath houses, sex clubs) or may be planning to or who work/volunteer in these settings
Have had anonymous sex in the past 21 days (e.g., using hookup apps) or may be planning to
Engage in sex work or may be planning to and their sexual contacts
Residents who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or breastfeeding may be at higher risk for severe illness from a Monkeypox infection. These residents should contact a Public Health Nurse at 705-743-1000, ext. 131 for consideration of PrEP if they are at risk of contracting Monkeypox.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics For Children Aged 6 Months To 5 Years Will Be Available By July 28
/Starting July 28, the provincial booking system will have appointments available for children aged 6 months to 5 years, enabling parents and caregivers to book a local appointment for their children’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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On July 21 the province announced that administration of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Ontario for all children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Residents are encouraged to review the PPH immunization schedule and clinic calendar for updates on eligibility and appointment availability at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics. Residents can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
• Online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ OR
• Over the phone by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900
Dedicated “family-friendly” vaccination clinics for children aged 6 months to 5 years will be offered at Peterborough Square (340 George St. N. in Units 36 and 37). Free two-hour underground parking is available for residents attending the clinic.
Residents over the age of 5 will not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine during designated paediatric clinics. Two doses separated by 8 weeks for each dose is recommended, unless children have immunocompromising conditions in which case three doses is recommended.
PPH recommends this group begin their vaccination series as soon as possible to have higher protection heading into the fall. At this time for 6 month to 5 years it is recommended that no other vaccine, unless urgently required should be given within 14 days of receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information about the youth COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Peterborough Public Health youth and COVID19 vaccine webpage.
Peterborough Public Health Says Receiving A Fourth Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Is A Personal Choice
/Amid the 7th wave of COVID, Dr. Thomas Piggott with Peterborough Pubic Health, has issued a statement noting young and healthy individuals have a personal decision to make about receiving their 4th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Wednesday the Ontario Government announced that eligibility for COVID-19 second booster doses now applied to anyone over 18.
In a press conference on Thursday Dr. Piggott announced that while fourth doses are most critical for older adults or those with medical conditions, those who are younger (18-59) and healthy now have a personal decision to make about receiving their fourth dose.
“We are yet again into a new COVID-19 wave in this continued pandemic,” said Dr. Piggott. “We know that staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best tool for protecting yourself and those around you from the COVID-19 virus. If you are 12 or older and haven’t had your third dose, it is strongly recommended for you.”
Dr. Piggott noted that in addition to vaccines, other preventions include continuing to wear a tightly fitting (KN95/N95 style) mask, staying home when sick and gathering in well ventilated indoor air spaces or outdoors. He also encouraged residents to check the Local COVID-19 Risk Index weekly.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, upcoming vaccine clinics, and booking a vaccine appointment visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.
To see the Peterborough Public Health Local COVID-19 Risk Index: https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-risk-index/
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Ontarians Aged 18+ Eligible for Second Booster Shot
/The Ontario government is expanding eligibility for second booster doses to Ontarians aged 18 and over, announced on Wednesday.
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