Symptomatic Patrons Asked to Get PCR Tested and Self-Isolate

Peterborough Public Health is advising patrons of the American Eagle store in Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough of a potential exposure to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 that occurred there from Friday, December 10 to Saturday, December 11 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. both days.

Peterborough Public Health is asking anyone who visited this store during these times to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of exposure.  If symptoms develop, get a PCR test immediately and isolate until you have received your results. PCR testing is available at the PRHC COVID-19 Assessment Centre, please visit www.prhc.on.ca for booking details and certain pharmacies, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations for location information.

All high-risk contacts have already been identified and will receive further instruction from Peterborough Public Health.

Information about potential public exposures to COVID-19 can be found on this webpage https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-public-exposure-notifications/.

Those with personal health questions are asked to follow up with their healthcare provider. Information about self-isolation, COVID-19 testing, and workplace safety can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

Increased Public Health Measures Required to Prepare Community for Impact of Omicron Variant

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott issued two Letters of Instruction today for workplaces and food premises designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in high-risk settings as the community braces for the impact of the Omicron variant.

“More stringent measures are needed now in high-risk settings to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases as other jurisdictions are experiencing,” said Dr. Piggott. “These measures focus on keeping local businesses open while ensuring they can operate safely and protecting staff and patrons.”

“I continue to be deeply concerned about the health of the population in the face of the storm that is brewing with Omicron and will act swiftly with additional measures if they are necessary to prevent transmission,” he stated.

Effective December 15, 2021, local workplaces are instructed to shift all non-essential employees to remote work arrangements, except where on-site presence is required. Essential staff who must remain on-site must keep 2 metres physical distance from each other and stagger lunch times to avoid crowded eating areas. If a workspace does not allow for physical distancing (e.g. in vehicles or confined workspaces), workers must wear tightly-fitting masks. Social gatherings are also prohibited in workplaces, and can only take place in designated event facilities where public health measures can be enforced. Full details can be found in the December 13, 2021 Letter of Instruction for Workplaces available here.

Also taking effect on December 15, 2021, food premises will also be expected to comply with the following instructions:

• Ensure that the maximum number of patrons seated at each table does not exceed 10 people.
• Arrange the premises to ensure that patrons seated at separate tables are distanced by at least 2 metres, or separated by an impermeable barrier.
• Allow patrons to consume food and/or beverage only while seated.
• Modify buffet-style food service to permit only one table at the buffet at a time, and ensure patrons wear masks at all times when accessing the buffet.
• Ensure that all serving staff (including waitstaff and bartenders) are provided with, and wear, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in close proximity to patrons who are eating and/or drinking. PPE includes the following:
  • A medical-grade, tightly fitting face mask; and
  • Eye protection, such as a face shield or safety glasses.
• Advise patrons to wear tightly-fitting face masks when they are not actively eating or drinking. This includes when moving throughout the premises or while socializing at their table.

Complete details can be found in the December 13, 2021 Letter of Instruction for Food Premises found online here.

Dr. Piggott explained that Ontario is experiencing increased rates of transmission of COVID-19, primarily as a result of high circulation of Delta and Omicron variants of concern. Today’s provincial data revealed the majority of cases of COVID-19 are identified as Omicron. Therefore, precautionary measures are needed until a greater proportion of our region has received a third dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Dr. Piggott went on to say with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it is clear that vaccinated individuals can also transmit the infection. Therefore, multiple strategies are important to reduce the spread of the virus.

“We know transmission is happening in mixed groups of older and younger, vaccinated and unvaccinated, and that is why these protective instructions are required in the Peterborough area,” he said.

Vaccination continues to be strongly recommended by Dr. Piggott as provincial data reveals this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. According to data as of December 6, 2021, unvaccinated residents are experiencing more serious health outcomes:

For more information, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

Highly-Transmissible Omicron Now Makes Up 20% of All Ontario Cases

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott is strongly advising residents to remain vigilant in following public health measures because of the concerning spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

“Federal and provincial modelling suggests the Omicron variant is spreading faster than earlier projections, which could mean hundreds of daily cases in our local region,” said Dr. Piggott. “Now is the time to double-down on public health measures and adjust holiday plans because we are learning how highly transmissible Omicron is.”

Dr. Piggott noted while the severity of illness caused by Omicron is still unclear, even if it produces half as many cases of severe illness than Delta, the impact on contact tracing and our healthcare system would still be significant because much higher volumes of people would get sick. At today’s provincial media briefing, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health stated that new projections from Public Health Ontario show Omicron cases may rise to up to 20% of all provincial cases in the coming days and then become a dominant strain – as in complete strain replacement of Delta – by the beginning of January.

Dr. Piggott emphasized that he and his team are monitoring the local situation very closely and are prepared to take any broader public health measures needed. In the meantime, he urged local residents to adjust their holiday plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by holding smaller gatherings, limiting travel and mingling of households, spending more time outdoors with friends and loved ones, wearing tightly fitting masks and ventilating indoor spaces with doors and windows, and above all getting vaccinated, especially booster doses and children aged 5-11.

Further updates to the community will be provided early next week.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

All Close Contacts are Tested and in Self-Isolation

Peterborough Public Health is advising fans who attended the Peterborough Petes’ home games on November 28 and December 2 that there is a very low risk of exposure at this time connected to a positive COVID-19 case currently affecting the hockey club.

“All close contacts from this specific exposure have since been identified, tested, and remain in self-isolation while awaiting their results,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “While the risk to others who attended those games is very low, this is a strong reminder for everyone that exposures can happen in any public setting, so it’s always a good idea to monitor for symptoms and if they develop, get tested and isolate immediately.”

General Manager Mike Oke of the Peterborough Petes confirmed that all players and staff with the hockey club are fully vaccinated. He and the entire Petes organization have been working closely with Peterborough Public Health to ensure all public health guidelines and protocols are being followed.

Dr. Piggott noted that proof of vaccination was required for everyone 12 years of age and over to enter the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) for the game. Patrons must also follow these other public health measures at PMC:

• Face coverings are mandatory at all times unless actively eating or drinking in your ticketed seat. Children under the age of two will not require a face covering/mask.
• Physical distancing guidelines must be followed. There are markers on the floor to help people stay a minimum of 2 metres apart.
• Hands must be washed or sanitized regularly. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the facility.
• Ticketholders are required to submit a contact tracing form onlineprior to entry that lists the full name and phone number for each ticketholder in their group. This form also includes a list of active screening questions.

In addition, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) requires all attendees including fans, staff and media to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and follow any other safety protocols in any team’s arena announced by the league on Friday.

“While the COVID-19 vaccination is proving effective at reducing transmission of the virus, its greatest strength is preventing severe illness. Breakthrough cases can still occur,” said Dr. Piggott. “I commend the efforts of the Peterborough Petes and OHL for doing their part to mandate a strong vaccination policy and ensuring public health measures are respected to keep the hockey community, and the public at large, as safe as possible.”

Peterborough Public Health continues to encourage children ages 5-11 years to get vaccinated and has opened up additional clinics on December 7 and 11 to accommodate the demand. Residents over 50 years of age are also strongly advised to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, available at pharmacies and some clinics run by Peterborough Public Health.

For more information about COVID-19 and how to stay safe, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

Peterborough Public Health

705-743-1000, ext. 391

Service Resumes Spring 2022 in Two Northern County Townships

Peterborough Public Health and the Municipality of Trent Lakes and Township of North Kawartha are pausing their joint well water sample drop-off program for the winter. The final date for county residents to drop off their samples to the Trent Lakes Administration office and the North Kawartha Administration office is Thursday, November 25, 2021.

Free well water drop-off service will return next year at both locations, early in April 2022 and will run until late November. Throughout the winter months, residents may drop off their samples at the following locations:

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King Street, Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Fridays
• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Drive, Peterborough between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa Street, Havelock between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

It is important to test well water a number of times throughout the year. “Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed. Water quality can change over time, so we recommend that residents test private wells three to four times a year to prevent health risks,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health Programs at Peterborough Public Health. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring so it’s easy for residents to submit well water tests.”

Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. The presence of E. coli indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These organisms can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but the young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.

After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or they can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426. For a free consultation about water quality test results, call the Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232.

To find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms and E. coli, contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext. 232 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

Approx. 9,000 Local Youth Now Eligible for Paediatric COVID-19 Vaccine

Peterborough Public Health announced today that booking will open on Tuesday, November 23 at 8:30 a.m. for youth aged five to 11 years to receive the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine at local clinics starting Monday, November 29.

On Friday, the province announced that Health Canada has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty for use in all children 5-11 years of age. This means that all children in Ontario born between 2010 and 2016 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Dedicated “family-friendly” vaccination clinics for children aged five to 11 years will be offered at the Healthy Planet Arena and in schools throughout the County and City of Peterborough.  Residents over the age of 12 will not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at these designated paediatric clinics.

“This is an exciting day! Vaccinating young residents is another huge step in protecting our community against COVID-19,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health. “Health Canada’s approval means that the vaccine is safe, effective and high-quality, and will ensure that these children also are protected from severe illness.”

Starting tomorrow, the provincial booking system will have appointments available for children aged five to 11 years, enabling parents and caregivers to book a local appointment for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments will be offered Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays at the Healthy Planet Arena, as well as at schools throughout the county and City of Peterborough over the coming weeks. 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

Parents and caregivers are reminded to review credible information about the COVID-19 vaccine and to speak with a healthcare provider if they have any questions about their child’s health and the vaccine.  Free healthcare provider consultations are available for residents who would like them.

For more information about the youth COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Peterborough Public Health youth and COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

Residents are required to book an appointment for their booster dose

Today the provincial government announced that booster doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be available to more residents who meet the following criteria:

• Residents 70 years of age or older (born in 1951 or before)
• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Adults and non-Indigenous household members
• Individuals who received two doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
• Individuals who received one dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
• Healthcare workers

These residents are eligible to book an appointment for their booster dose no sooner than 6 months (168 days) after they received their second dose.

“The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends booster doses for older residents or those with certain health conditions who may be at greater risk of waning immunity following two doses of COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health.  “Out of an abundance of caution, booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will now be offered to these groups.  A booster dose will provide additional protection for those at risk of severe illness related to COVID-19 or for those residents who work closely with these individuals.”

Dr. Gemmill reinforced that evidence continues to show that two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective. “At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will not provide sufficient protection to most of the population.  However, the residents recommended by NACI may be better protected if they choose to receive a booster dose.”

Peterborough Public Health will be reactivating the provincial COVID-19 vaccine booking system for booster dose appointments.  Dr. Gemmill remarked, “To serve our residents better, booking a booster dose appointment will reduce lines at the clinic and ensure that residents can receive their vaccine when they want it.”

Effective Monday, November 8, the provincial booking system will be available for eligible residents to book a booster dose appointment.  Eligible 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

Residents turning 12 years of age in 2021 or older who require a first or second dose can book an appointment or walk in to any Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/clinic.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

COVID-19 Screening, Proof of Vaccination & Masking Requirements Remain Vital as Capacity Limits Ease

Peterborough Public Health is reminding local residents that continuing to follow public health measures is more important than ever as capacity limits ease in certain settings under the Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term.

“By and large, our community has done a great job adhering to public health measures, and this commitment is a major reason why cases aren’t increasing,” said Donna Churipuy, Director of Public Health Programs. “If we keep up with these practices, such as screening for COVID-19 symptoms, providing proof of vaccination and wearing a mask, we can expect case counts to remain stable even with more social contacts.”

Ms. Churipuy noted however that the latest Ontario Science Table report included a warning based on the experience of Nordic countries in Europe: lifting public health measures can drive a new wave, even with strong vaccine coverage because there are still too many people who are unprotected, and the virus can still circulate. “We need to remember that this reopening plan has to be gradual.  Even though many venues have increased capacity limits, which we all want, the entry requirements for clients and user groups remain the same.”

“The relaxation of capacity limits within certain settings is a development made possible by our community’s collective hard work,” stated Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Local businesses and organizations must remain highly compliant with other workplace and sector-specific public health measures such as COVID-19 screening, masking, recording contact information and confirming proof of vaccination, so that we can enjoy increased social interaction over time.”

Ms. Ingram added that the province recently updated its COVID-19 screening tools. “I think that it is important for people to listen to their bodies and if they are not feeling well, they must avoid eating out and participating in recreational activities especially.”

Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health, stressed the importance of continuing to wear masks, especially as the colder weather moves more people indoors. “Masks remain key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 both indoors and outdoors whenever physical distancing isn’t possible.  It’s one of the measures that is going to help to keep us on the province’s proposed reopening timeline, and until we have a high vaccination rate among our five to 11-year olds, it will help protect them too.”

The province has made further amendments to O. Reg. 364/20 under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 to remove capacity limits for outdoor organized public events, such as parades, outdoor memorial services and other similar events. This amendment was published on Wednesday, October 27 and updates to appropriate sectors will be communicated over the next several days. The latest information is always available on Peterborough Public Health’s website www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391

Vaccine Receipt Verification App Now Available

As of October 15, Peterborough Public Health is repealing the letter of instructions for organized sports groups issued on September 17, 2021. This will be replaced with a new letter of instruction for sports and recreational fitness facilities to ensure our community has enhanced protection as the province slowly begins to lessen public health requirements for these facilities. This letter of instruction will be enforceable under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and will require all sports and recreational fitness facilities to confirm proof of vaccination and personal identification for all persons 12 years of age and older.

The current provincial proof of vaccination requirements exempt certain participants of organized sports, including participants between the ages of 12-17, volunteers, coaches and officials.  The letter of instruction from Peterborough Public Health will require all persons responsible for businesses and organizations with indoor facilities located in the City or County of Peterborough where organized sports are played and/or practiced to:

3. Effective 12:01 a.m. on October 18, 2021, upon entry to the facility, confirm proof of vaccination (or proof of a medical exemption) and personal identification, for all volunteers, coaches and officials, 12 years of age and older, in addition to the individuals prescribed by the regulation.
4. Effective 12:01 a.m. on November 26, 2021, upon entry to the facility, confirm proof of vaccination (or proof of a medical exemption) and personal identification, for all persons 12 years of age and older, including participants actively engaged in organized sports.
5. Continue to comply with all other public health measures related to screening, physical distancing, use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a log with contact information of every member of the public who enters the facility, as outlined in Reg. 364/20.

“Given the high-risk nature of sports, which includes close contact and forceful exhalation, I am requiring proof of vaccination for these individuals, in addition to the individuals prescribed by provincial legislation,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health. “This enhanced letter of instruction will help to ensure these facilities can remain open and programs operating.”

On October 15, the province announced the launch of an enhanced COVID-19 vaccine receipt screening system. This system allows owners and operators of high-risk businesses and organizations, including those outlined in the Peterborough Public Health Sports Facilities Letter of Instruction, access to an app for their smart device that will help review and verify patron’s COVID-19 vaccine receipts. With the launch of this system, patrons can download a new COVID-19 vaccine receipt that contains a QR code. This QR code will be scanned upon entry of high-risk indoor settings. To ensure the online vaccine certificate portal remains stable, the province will stagger the availability of the vaccine receipts to residents based on birth month. For more information please review the provincial online vaccination portal or call the provincial vaccine contact centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Additional information on the provincial proof of vaccination requirements and Peterborough Public Health letter of instruction can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/proofofvaccine

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391

Peterburgers Charged Under the Reopening Ontario Act

Today Peterborough Public Health laid its first charges under the Reopening Ontario Act for failing to comply with proof of vaccination checks against Peterburgers, a restaurant located at 25 George St. North in Peterborough.

“Indoor dining is well-known by this point to be a high-risk activity for spreading COVID-19. That is why limiting it to vaccinated patrons along with other public health measures is critical so these businesses can remain open safely,” stated Donna Churipuy, Director of Public Health Programs and Incident Commander for the local COVID-19 emergency response. “Peterborough Public Health is prepared to enforce proof of vaccination requirements and all other public health measures so that local residents are protected, and sincerely thanks the majority of establishments in our area who are abiding by these measures to keep our community safe.”

Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health confirmed that Peterborough Public Health Inspectors used a progressive enforcement approach at Peterburgers, beginning with education to the operator on Friday, September 24. This was followed by issuing a written warning notice on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. This warning notice was delivered in-person by Public Health Inspectors and discussed with the owners. This warning was further discussed via email correspondence between Peterborough Public Health and the owners. On Friday, October 1, 2021 the owners of the restaurant confirmed their intent to comply during a follow-up inspection.

Ingram advised that due to ongoing public concern and the receipt of additional complaints after October 1, the investigation continued this week. “While we were hopeful that the business would comply, continued investigation this week, confirmed ongoing noncompliance by the establishment. As a result, three charges were issued to the owner of the establishment on Friday, October 8, 2021”, said Ms. Ingram. The charges are under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and are for failing to confirm proof of vaccination and identification of indoor diners, failing to ensure the use of masking and face coverings in the indoor area, and failing to collect contact information for patrons remaining at the premises to dine.

Peterborough Public Health is working with enforcement partners to continue to monitor this premises and the situation. Addition enforcement action will be taken, if necessary.

“We are all in this together. The more everyone follows all public health measures, the sooner we can control the spread of COVID-19 and avoid another lockdown, a goal we all have,” said Ms. Churipuy. “Unvaccinated residents are becoming the reservoirs for this virus, and until we reach 90% immunity levels, we will need policies like proof of vaccination certificates to limit the chain of transmission in the community.”

Ms. Churipuy noted that according to recent data shared by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, unvaccinated people have a 7-fold higher risk of symptomatic COVID-19 disease, a 25-fold higher risk of being in the hospital and 60-fold higher risk of being in the ICU compared to the fully vaccinated.

Peterborough Public Health discloses current enforcement actions relating to the Reopening Ontario Act on its website here: https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/your-health/inspections-and-enforcement/reopening-ontario-a-flexible-response-to-covid-19-act-2020/.  It can also be found on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca by clicking on the “Inspections” link at the top of the homepage.

Members of the public can report complaints to Peterborough Public Health relating to non-compliance with proof of vaccination requirements or other COVID-19 public health measures online by visiting the “Reporting Complaints” section of its website. Every complaint received is investigated.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Manager

705-743-1000, ext. 391