January 15, 2015 – Residents Strongly Encouraged to Get Flu Shot As Community Influenza Outbreak Continues
The Peterborough Public Health is holding its last flu shot clinic of the season on Saturday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and encourages all residents to get immunized as the community-wide outbreak continues.
“Getting the flu shot is just like wearing your seat belt every time you get in your car. You don’t know exactly when you’re going to need it, but you’ve protected yourself and others by putting it on just in case,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We know the chances of exposure to the flu are greater than usual now that we’re in a community-wide influenza outbreak, so I strongly recommend that everyone get the flu shot so we can prevent the spread to those who are most vulnerable.”
Dr. Salvaterra declared the community-wide outbreak on December 30, 2014 when the number of lab-confirmed cases and institutional outbreaks reached the outbreak criteria as defined by Public Health Ontario.
The flu shot continues to be widely available at pharmacies and walk-in clinics throughout the city and county of Peterborough, as well as through local physician offices. The flu shot is recommended for everyone over six months of age. It is especially important for people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and anyone who takes care of people in these groups.
To book an appointment at Public Health at 185 King Street for the January 17 clinic, please call 705-743-1000, ext. 349.
In addition to getting the flu shot, residents are advised to take the following precautions to reduce the spread of infection:
- Stay home if feeling unwell
- Wash your hands frequently
- Clean and sanitize commonly-used surfaces frequently
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and wash hands afterwards
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
January 13, 2015 – Board of Health Meets January 14
Location: Council Chambers, Peterborough County Court House
The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 4:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Peterborough County Court House located at 470 Water Street, Peterborough.
To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:
http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas
The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
January 12, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert because of forecasted wind chill values of -32 on January 13. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.
Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.
In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:
- Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
- Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
- Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
- Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.
Cold related illnesses include:
Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.
….continued
Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.
Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.
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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285
January 11, 2015 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued on January 7, 2015 for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.
Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone. The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan.
Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
January 7, 2014 – Frostbite Alert Issued for Jan 7-8 for the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations
The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Wednesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 8 because of forecasted wind chill values of -33 and -35 respectively.
Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.
In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:
- Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
- Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
- Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
- Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.
Cold related illnesses include:
Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.
….continued
Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.
Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.
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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 285
January 6, 2014 – Next Program Starts January 14 for Local Women
Quitting smoking isn’t any easier when you’re pregnant. Thanks to a new partnership between Peterborough Public Health and the Partners in Pregnancy Clinic (PIPC), local area women who are pregnant or have young children have more options to help them quit smoking and to stay smoke free.
The Choose to Be…Smoke Free quit smoking program is tailored specifically for women, incorporating best practices, women’s knowledge of their community and lived experiences.
“We find that women who are pregnant or just finished pregnancy are very motivated for healthy lifestyle changes. This government funding allows more women to access this great smoking cessation program and we are very pleased to be part of it,” said Dr. Joan Himann, Lead Physician with PIPC.
“Pregnant women who are trying to quit smoking report feeling guilty, ashamed and alone,” said Mary Pat Fasken, Public Health Nurse. “That is why we are thrilled to be a part of this innovative program that combines behavioural counselling and group support with access to free nicotine replacement therapy, made possible with funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.” Other key program components include free transportation, help with childcare, positive smoke free resources, women-centred quit kits, opportunities for social networking, and incentives such as weekly gift cards for a grocery store or pharmacy.
Local rates of smoking throughout pregnancy are higher in Peterborough County and City than the provincial average. The Choose to Be…Smoke Free program helps women identify barriers and opportunities for change, build confidence and motivation, ultimately improving their chances of meeting smoking cessation goals and living smoke free.
“The good news is it’s never too late to quit smoking. There are benefits to quitting smoking at any stage of pregnancy.”
For more information about the Choose to Be…Smoke Free program or to register for the next group that begins January 14, 2015, contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391
January 5, 2015 – AON Inc. and Peterborough Public Health announced today that they have reached a new conditional deal for the purchase of the first three floors of the downtown office building at 185 King St. Once finalized, the new location will allow Public Health to bring all programs under one roof and make it easier for residents to access public health services.
The offer is conditional on financing, and staff will be meeting with provincial and municipal funders early in the new year to negotiate their contributions towards this purchase.
“We are optimistic that funding can be secured promptly in order to remove the conditions on the offer and finalize a deal,” said Brent Woodford, Director of Corporate Services. “We are very pleased about the potential relocation to the downtown core and have our programs and clinics closer to related community services and more accessible by transit.”
Brad Smith, President of AON Inc. echoed these sentiments. “This deal is an integral addition to the development of Downtown Peterborough and we look forward to finalizing the sale and being a part of the relocation of these important services for the benefit of the community.”
Further details about the conditional offer will be made public as they become available.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence Brad Smith
Communications Supervisor President of AON Inc.
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391 (705) 742-5445
