Tag Archives: Mayor Robin Jones

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70+ Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE – March 29, 2021

If you are over 70 years of age (born in 1951 or earlier), you can now book an appointment to receive vaccine at one of the COVID-19 clinics in Brockville, Kemptville, Smiths Falls, or Almonte (or elsewhere in Ontario).

  • If you or a family member have a green Health Card (with photo) and an email address

o   You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488, open Monday to Sunday from 8:00am to 8:00pm.  If the booking systems are busy – try again in afternoon or later if possible to get through.

 OR

If you do not have a green photo health card, or need help to access the provincial online booking tool:

o   Call our local Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Call Centre toll-free at 1-844-369-1234, open 8:30am to 4:00pm, 7 days a week. If you cannot get through then try later in the day.

o   Emailcovid@healthunit.org and include your name, date of birth, and preferred clinic location(s) and a phone number. Due to the volume of email, it may take several days to reply.

If you have friends or family who are 70 or older (were born in 1951 or earlier), ask them if they have had their vaccine or booked an appointment.  Consider helping these individuals to book their appointments, as some may not have online access or be comfortable booking online appointments.

Only individuals who are eligible and who have booked an appointment will get their vaccine at our clinics. Do not share any booking codes you receive with family or friends.

Please check our eligibility tool to see if you are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. We will be updating the tool regularly so you will be able to find out when you can receive the vaccine. If you have any health concerns, speak with your health care provider before booking.

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GOOD NEWS!

LGL Area Booking COVID-19 Vaccination for 75 and over starting Monday, March 22

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE – March 19, 2021

Today, the province announced that adults ages 75+ (born in 1946 or earlier) can begin booking appointments using the provincial booking system starting on Monday, March 22. The Health Unit’s COVID-19 Distribution and Administration Roll Out Plan identifies the approximate times when people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark can receive the vaccine. This plan aligns with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan.  Anyone under 75, please check the eligibility tool to see if you are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark.  We will be updating the tool regularly so you will be able to find out when you can receive the vaccine.

How do you book an appointment?

Starting Monday, March 22 adults born in 1946 or earlier (ages 75+) can book by:

o   Using the Province’s new online booking tool at www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine

·          You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488, open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

o   Calling our local Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Booking Centre toll-free at 1-844-369-1234. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7 days a week or email covid@healthunit.org. 

Family and Friend Support for Booking

If you have friends or family who are over 75 years old (were born in 1946 or earlier), ask them if they have had their vaccine or booked an appointment.  Please consider helping these individuals to book their appointments, as some may not have online access or be comfortable booking online appointments.

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Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Region Moving to Red – Control Level

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE – March 19, 2021

Today the government of Ontario announced that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region will move from the Yellow-Protect level to the Red-Control level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework. 

The move to the Red-Control level means that strengthened public health measures will come into effect in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark on Monday, March 22, at 12:01 a.m.  The additional measures include all restrictions currently imposed under the Yellow – Protect level and additional restrictions. Additional restrictions include:

·         Limits of 5 people indoors and 25 people outdoors for all organized public events and social gatherings, where physical distancing can be maintained

·         Limits for fitness facilities, where physical distancing can be maintained, of 10 people in indoor areas with weights and exercise machines; 10 people in all indoor classes, or 25 people in outdoor classes

·         Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m., with liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

·         As of Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 12:01 am, adjustments are being made to dining capacity limits at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, for regions in the Grey-Lockdown, Red-Control and Orange-Restrict levels of the Framework.  In LGL, it is a max of 50 or 50% of capacity.

·         Team sports must not be practiced or played except for training (no games or scrimmage); no contact permitted for team or individual sports

·         Capacity limits of 75% for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, pharmacies and 50% for all other retail, including, but not limited to discount and big box retailers, liquor stores, hardware stores and garden centres

·         No personal care services that require the removal of face coverings

·         Many businesses/organizations/facilities must actively screen patrons in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health

·         Full details of the limitations and restrictions for the Red – Control Level can be found on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/framework/.

In addition to the move to Red-Control, a Section 22 Order remains in effect for Perth and Smiths Falls. The Section 22 Order for Carleton Place, Beckwith, and Mississippi Mills is rescinded effective today. These Section 22 Orders are intended to reduce opportunities for people to gather and have close, unprotected contact with others outside their household in public and private facilities.

“Moving from Yellow–Protect to Red-Control is an alert for us to ensure we are adhering to all public health precautions- be COVID-SMART at home and at work,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “The increase in new infections over the past two to three weeks shows how quickly COVID-19 can spread. Each of us has a part to play to decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities.”

Staying home and apart as much as we can is the most important thing we can do. Being safe and protecting yourself means you are protecting your family, friends and co-workers. Trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons, and families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes.

S – Self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Consider getting tested

M – Mask/face covering on properly when in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge outdoors.

A – Avoid touching your face.

R – Remain 2 metres/6 feet apart from people not part of your household – avoid play dates, and other close social contact. Social gatherings with anyone you don’t live with are strongly discouraged.

 T – Twenty (20) seconds for regular hand hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

The Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Framework categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Grey – Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort.

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Ontario’s Booking System to Expand to Individuals Aged 75 and Older as Vaccine Rollout Accelerates

More Pharmacies and Primary Care Settings to Offer AstraZeneca to Those 60+

News Release – March 19, 2021

TORONTO — With over 50 per cent of Ontario residents aged 80 and over having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Ontario government is expanding appointments through its online booking system to individuals aged 75 and over, effective Monday, March 22, 2021, ahead of schedule.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, and General Rick Hillier (retired), Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.

“The progress we are making on our Vaccine Distribution Plan demonstrates what can be done when we unleash the full potential of Team Ontario,” said Premier Ford. “Thanks to the efforts of an army of frontline health care heroes and volunteers, we are getting needles in arms even faster than we had imagined. All we need now is a steady and reliable supply of vaccines from the Federal government to ensure anyone who wants one, gets one as soon as possible so we can all stay safe.

“Ontario began vaccinating individuals aged 80 and over in February, and launched an online booking tool and a call centre to help answer questions and support appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics. Since the provincial booking system was launched on March 15, more than 239,000 appointments have been scheduled for the first and second doses.

Ontario is leading the country in the total number of vaccines administered and has fully immunized more individuals than all provinces and territories combined. To date, over 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the province, including over 129,000 doses administered to long-term care home residents. Over 294,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including over 61,000 long term-care home residents.

“Thanks to the efforts of our health care partners and the efficiency of our booking system, Ontario has been able to schedule more appointments and vaccinate more people quickly and conveniently,” said Minister Elliott. “We are doing everything we can to protect those who are most vulnerable and will ensure that we reach every Ontarian eligible for vaccination in Phase One as we expand the vaccination program further in the coming weeks.”

On March 16, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) expanded its recommendation for the use of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine to people 18 years old and older. In alignment with NACI’s latest recommendation and Ontario’s Ethical Framework, as of March 22, 2021, participating pharmacies and primary care settings will offer vaccination appointments to individuals aged 60 and over. Eligible Ontarians can contact a participating pharmacy directly to make an appointment. In addition, many primary care providers are directly contacting eligible patients to book an appointment.

The province also continues to expand the delivery channels available to administer COVID-19 vaccines, with another 350 pharmacies to be brought on board across the province in the next two weeks bringing the total to approximately 700 locations. It is expected that this number would again be doubled to approximately 1,500 by the end of April. Depending on vaccine supply, retail pharmacies could administer up to 40 per cent of all vaccinations by the end of April. Details on additional locations and the application process for pharmacy participation will be shared in the coming days. In addition, vaccinations in primary care settings will continue in collaboration with public health units.

“We have successfully expanded Ontario’s vaccine rollout plan to include pharmacies, mass vaccination centres and primary health care providers in key parts of the province,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This is a huge accomplishment and we continue to extend this rollout to other parts of the province as more vaccines become available.” 

“Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan is now well underway,” said General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier. “We are grateful to the army of diverse teams – the health care practitioners, IT specialists, data analysts, the dedicated individuals working in logistics and many others – for their outstanding service and commitment to put the needed processes in place to make this happen.

The province continues to expect a high volume of traffic on its online booking system. Everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but those not yet eligible for a vaccine are being asked to avoid accessing the booking system or calling the service desk to allow those that are eligible the opportunity to book an appointment.
QUICK FACTS

For the month of March, Ontario is expecting to receive 1,454,310 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Ontario received limited allocations of the Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD in March, with 483,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine split over three weeks, and 194,500 doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine received the week of March 8.

Ontario’s exact allocations and delivery timing for the Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines after March are pending confirmation from the federal government and are not known at this time. 

Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at pharmacies require an appointment to be made in advance. Eligible adults aged 60 and over (if 60 or older as of the day of vaccination or, if will be 60 or older in 2021) who are interested in booking an appointment, can visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and can contact the pharmacy to make an appointment.

Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine at primary care settings are part of a limited rollout according to available supply and are not taking appointments by request. Do not call your primary care providers to book an appointment – participating primary care providers in select areas are reaching out to eligible Ontarians aged 60 and older.

If an individual is turning 75 or older in 2021 and does not live in a congregate care setting, they can schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting Ontario.ca/bookvaccine, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488. The Provincial Vaccine Information Line is open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is capable of providing assistance in 300 languages.
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Health Unit Issues Class Order for Perth and Smiths Falls in Response to Increase of COVID-19 in West Lanark County

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

MEDIA RELEASE: – March 16, 2021

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has detected a significant increase of COVID-19 in West Lanark County with 36 active cases in the communities of Perth, Smiths Falls, Tay Valley and Lanark Highlands – most cases are in Smiths Falls and Perth.  Public health has contacted individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts to provide guidance about self-isolation and testing. The Health Unit has also worked with the Perth Curling Club where members who participated in recreational games, social gatherings and/or meetings between March 5-12 have been instructed to self-isolate and COVID-19 testing has been arranged for these individuals.

This increase in active cases in West Lanark County has affected local businesses, recreational sports facilities, schools and families.  The Health Unit has observed inconsistent mask use and close environments (where a distance of 2 metres between individuals is not being maintained) as factors that are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in local workplaces. As well some individuals with COVID-19 are going to work with mild symptoms and infecting other co-workers. Infection is also spread through close contact in households and with social gatherings, and from there to schools and other workplaces. Some people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic so they are spreading COVID-19 without knowing it. This emphasizes how critical it is that everyone considers that others may have COVID-19 and use public health measures – be COVID-19 SMART.

Sports facilities, workplaces, organizations, and businesses can review the provincial requirements, including the requirement to have a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, on the Health Unit’s website: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/business-re-opening/  

In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in West Lanark County, Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health at the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit has issued a Class Order pursuant to Section 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990.

“The purpose of this Class Order is to help contain the community outbreak of COVID-19 that is occurring in the western portion of Lanark County,” explains Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. “This Class Order will reduce opportunities for people to gather and have close unprotected contact with others outside their household in public and private facilities.”

This class order effective from 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2021 until rescinded by the Health Unit is issued to owners and operators of public and private facilities that operate in the Town of Smiths Falls, and the Town of Perth where the public may gather, including but not limited to: indoor sports venues, places of worship, banquet halls, wedding venues, clubs and or organizations that may have meeting facilities that can be rented to the public.

In accordance with this order:

·         Sports facilities must close and cease operations, including curling rinks, privately owned arenas, and indoor sports venues that offer facilities for sports such as soccer, lacrosse, tennis, squash, pickle ball, etc.

·         Facilities operated by clubs and organizations must cease rentals for private social gatherings and group activities.

·         Places of Worship may operate in accordance with the requirements of 364/20 with additional restrictions related to social events in their meeting spaces.

·         Banquet halls and wedding venues may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20, and only events that are hosted, organized, and managed by the venue are permitted, with additional restrictions.

·         Dining and Drinking Establishments may operate in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 364/20 with additional restrictions.

Any failure to comply with this Class Order can result in fines of up to $5000 for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues.

The Class Order is posted on the Health Unit website, https://healthunit.org/coronavirus/ along with the most up to date information on COVID-19. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @LGLHealthunit for information.