Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Ontario Expanding Fourth-Dose Eligibility to 60+

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Expanding Fourth-Dose Eligibility

Additional booster dose will provide an extra layer of protection against severe illness and hospitalization

April 06, 2022
Ministry of Health

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is expanding eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over starting on April 7, 2022. Expanding booster eligibility will provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron and BA.2 variants and, in addition to antivirals, are another tool the province is using to live with and manage COVID-19.

“As we continue to live with COVID-19, we are using every tool available to manage this virus and reduce its impact on our hospitals and health system, including by expanding the use of booster doses,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19 and its variants. Because of our exceptionally high vaccination rates and Ontario’s cautious approach, we currently have one of the lowest hospitalization rates in the country and have performed well throughout this pandemic when compared to other similar sized provinces and states. I encourage everyone who’s eligible to get boosted as soon as you’re able.”

Starting on Thursday, April 7 at 8:00 a.m., eligible individuals will be able to book their fourth dose appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies, and participating primary care settings.

Locations and timing for additional boosters may vary by public health unit based on local planning and considerations.

Ontario has been offering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since December 30, 2021 to vulnerable populations including residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges and older adults in other congregate care settings that provide assisted-living and health services. Providing additional boosters to these groups has helped to prevent serious outcomes in the population during the Omicron wave.

All eligible Ontarians are encouraged to get their fourth dose as soon as possible. As with vaccines for other diseases, you are protected best when you stay up to date.

Uncategorized

Senator Rob Black visits Westport

Senator Rob Black is a multi-generational farmer from Wellington County. His Scottish ancestors settled on their homestead near Fergus in the 1800’s and it is still where the Black family calls home.

Since being appointed to the Senate in 2018, he has committed himself to the challenges of rural Ontario. Thank you for visiting me at Town Hall today, Senator Black. Every opportunity to talk about rural challenges is important to ROMA.

Uncategorized

Statement from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

March 9, 2022

TORONTO — Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health issued the following statement:

“With the peak of Omicron behind us, Ontario has been able to cautiously and gradually move through its reopening milestones.

The majority of public health and workplace safety measures have now been lifted, and key public health indicators continue to improve or remain stable.

As we continue on this path, we are able to take a more balanced and long-term approach to Ontario’s pandemic response.

With continued improvement in trends, Ontario will remove the mandatory masking requirement for most settings on March 21, with the exception of select settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings.

As a society, we must remain kind, considerate and respectful toward those who continue wearing a mask. We must also expect indicators, such as cases and hospitalizations, to increase slightly as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another. However, thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity, as well as the arrival of antivirals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impact of the virus.

I want to thank Ontarians for their ongoing resilience and commitment to community as we navigated this global pandemic together. Your sacrifices and collective actions have made a difference.

While this does not signal that COVID-19 has disappeared or that the pandemic is over, it does mean that we have come to a place where we know what we need to do to manage this virus and to keep each other safe.

We need to remain vigilant. We need to stay home when sick. And, most importantly, we need to get vaccinated and boosted.

Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19 and the best protection for the progress we have made.”

Learn how Ontario intends to lift the remaining public health and workplace safety measures and learn to manage COVID-19 for the long-term.

Uncategorized

MENTAL WELLNESS CHALLENGE – from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

It’s OK to not feel OK. This is a challenging time for everyone. Creating new routines and rituals, and finding ways to have fun and be active can help to adjust to this new situation.

The Mental Hygiene Challenge

We have all heard of dental hygiene, and we take care of our physical bodies daily with routine care. Now it’s time to give that same time and attention to our mental health. “Like a toothbrush for your brain!” The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre has launched a new mental well-being challenge this March to spend 10 minutes a day, every day, doing something that boosts our mental health. Journaling, time in nature, gratitude exercises, deep breathing or meditation can all help us to quiet the noise in our minds and work towards emotional well-being. Enjoy finding the activities that work best for you and make this March about creating positive routines for life that make you feel better inside and out.

Here is the link to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre page:

https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/coping-helping-mental-wellness/
Uncategorized

Ontario Moves to Next Step of Reopening on February 17th

 

Premier Doug Ford announced that as of February 17th at 12:01am, Ontario will move to its next step of reopening and ease certain public health measures.  

Effective February 17, 2022: 

  • Social gathering limits of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors 
  • Organized public event limits of 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors 
  • Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to: 
  • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities; 
  • Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms; 
  • Cinemas; 
  • Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres; 
  • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and 
  • Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements. 
  • 50% of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas, concert venues, and theatres 
  • 25% indoor capacity limit in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs 
  • Capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain 2 metres of physical distance. 
  • Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors. 
  • Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain 2 metres of physical distance. 

Effective March 1, 2022 

If public health and health system indicators continue to improve, Ontario will lift capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings and lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time. 

The link to the legislation is attached to assist if you need additional information.

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364