Trent University Students Hold Walk Out And Online Petition In Reaction To Return To In-Person Learning

Trent students gathered on the Faryon Bridge Monday morning at 10 a.m. in an act of protest against the University’s decision to return to in-person learning.

Small group of students begin to gather on The Faryon Bridge at Trent University on Monday morning. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

On Dec. 17, Trent University announced that effective Dec. 20, exams would be moved online and the first week of classes would be online. The date of return to in-person was scheduled for Jan. 17, then got pushed to Jan. 31.

Students were informed Jan. 24 that they will be required to return to class on the following Monday (Jan. 31), at which point seminars and lectures will not be recorded or posted online.

“Some professors are offering online, but that’s just out of the kindness of their own heart,” said Ellie Wilson, a second year Trent student participating in Monday’s walk-out.

Wilson raised the issue that any student that comes into contact with COVID-19 and then has to isolate will potentially have no option to ‘attend’ class if an online option is not offered.

“They basically sent an email that said ‘if you have COVID, that kind of sucks because we’re not going to give you the option to learn online, if you are sick and can’t come to class - that sucks.”

Wilson noted that there are other Ontario Universities are offering a hybrid option, and she thinks that would be the best option.

“We’re not saying keep school fully online, because in-person classes work best for a lot of people. We’re just saying that the chance to learn online or in-person would be great,” she said.

The online petition, which had over 3,300 signatures as of Monday morning, raises a multitude of issues that may come with a return to fully in-person learning.

“Many students have expressed concerns over the return to in-person such as the lack of distancing in many classrooms, difficulty finding housing for 3 months, rising cases, long commutes to campus due to going back home and safety concerns among others,” the organizer stated online.

Students that attended Monday’s walk-out, and signed the online petition hope that Trent University will offer a hybris option to students. So those wanting to learn in-person have the option to do so, but those that prefer to learn online can continue to do so.

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Peterborough Public Health Urges Caution As Step 3 Public Health Measures Take Effect

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is emphasizing the importance of residents to continue following COVID-19 prevention measures so the provincial move to Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen can go as scheduled announced Monday.

Photo by Angela O’Grady

“While the easing of some public health measures is welcome news, we can’t let our guard down completely or else any increase in COVID-19 transmission may lead to another step backwards,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Our community is still grappling with the recent surge in infections caused by Omicron, causing the local death rate to increase substantially in recent weeks. This is compounded by the underlying vulnerability of our community with its higher proportion of elderly residents.”

Dr. Piggott reminded residents while COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions are showing modest signs of slowing down, these provincial numbers don’t take into account the staffing shortages many hospitals are facing, including Peterborough Regional Health Centre. In addition, he said local wastewater surveillance demonstrates continued transmission so prudence is required.

The team at Peterborough Public Health is working hard to ensure the new guidelines are easy to find on its website, and staff are reaching out to various sectors to help them understand the new public health guidance for their business and organizations. Highlights of the Step 3 measures that took effect on Monday include:

• Proof of identification and vaccination (showing two doses) will continue to apply in existing settings; businesses must now use the Verify Ontario app and patrons must show enhanced vaccine certificates containing a QR Code.

• Indoor public settings may open, increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent, including indoor dining, meeting and event spaces, gyms, and cinemas

• Social gathering limits can increase up to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

• Organized public events can increase capacity to 25 people indoors.

• With very limited exceptions, masks must be worn by everyone while indoors.

Alongside the return to Step 3, Dr. Piggott has released a Letter of Recommendation Monday urging businesses and organizations to continue to have staff to work from home when possible.

As Ontario’s reopening plan progresses, PPH will be monitoring the local situation closely and will escalate this to an enforceable Letter of Instruction under the Reopening Ontario Act if needed.

Step 3 will be in effect for a minimum of 21 days while public health indicators are monitored. Additional measures may be relaxed by the province if favourable trends continue on Feb. 21.

Those with questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

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Ontario's Chief Medical Officer Highlights Loosened Restrictions For Monday

Dr. Kieran Moore highlighted the loosened COVID-19 restrictions that will come into play on Monday, during a briefing on Thursday.

Screenshot.

As a result of the additional public health measures enacted on Jan. 5, the province is beginning to see signs of stabilization in key public health and health system indicators.

Some surgeries paused due to a surge in COVID-19 cases will resume on Monday. Non-urgent surgeries were put on hold in early January to preserve hospital capacity, affecting an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 procedures a week.

Also effective as of Monday at 12:01 a.m. :

Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

• Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;

• Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)

• Shopping malls;

• Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;

• Cinemas;

• Meeting and event spaces;

• Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;

• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and

• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

• Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.

• Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.

The Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that as of Wednesday, there were 3,645 people with COVID-19 in hospitals: down from 4,016 on Tuesday.

About 56 per cent of those patients were admitted for COVID-related illnesses while 44 per cent were already in hospital when they tested positive for the virus, according to the ministry.

There were 599 patients with COVID-19 who required intensive care, a second straight day the overall number has fallen. It's down from 608 the day before but up slightly from the same time last week.

About 82 per cent of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs were admitted for reasons directly related to the virus.

The health ministry also reported another 70 deaths of people with the virus, bringing the official toll in the province to 11,230.

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Surge In Admissions Sees Patient Volume Reach Over 100 Per Cent

As the Omicron Variant continues to spread throughout the community, Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) continues to see sustained patient volumes above 100 per cent of the hospital’s bed capacity. 

Photo courtesy of Campbellford Memorial Hospital.

This recent surge has seen hospital capacity reach as high as 140 per cent.  

In order to provide care for this increased volume of patients, CMH has temporarily converted the day surgery recovery area into acute care beds and plans are in place to convert the ambulatory care clinic to accommodate further acute care patients should the surge in patients continue to grow.

While increasing bed capacity is one challenge, staffing is another, particularity in light of a highly contagious variant that has required many staff to self-isolate.

“Our staff have been at this for nearly two years,” said CMH Interim President/CEO Eric Hanna. “They are exhausted and they continue to give it their all day in and day out. Our part-time and casual workers are putting in full-time hours; our full time staff are coming in on their off days, it’s truly been an all hands on deck effort.”

CMH reminds the community that although the worst of Omicron may be over soon, it is still very active in the community and it is important to follow Public Health advice such as washing your hands frequently, wearing a mask, and getting vaccinated.

“Although we are seeing fully vaccinated patients presenting with COVID-19,” said Hanna, “I will note that the vast majority of severe COVID-19 cases that require admission to the hospital are in people who are not vaccinated. That’s why vaccination is so important, not only to protect you and your loved ones, but also to preserve hospital capacity.”

Community members could also expect to see slightly longer than normal wait times in the Emergency Department and those requiring non-urgent care are encouraged to seek out alternative options such as their family doctor, telehealth, or virtual care clinics.

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Peterborough Public Health Provides Guidance to Reduce COVID-19 Spread Schools to Families

Dr. Thomas Piggott, Peterborough Public Health’s (PPH) medical officer of health has outlined the steps he strongly recommends local school families take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools in a letter released Thursday.

Dr. Thomas Piggott (pictured) became Peterborough Public Health’s medical officer of health on Dec. 1. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

“This is a difficult time to be a parent and/or caregiver, and the return to in-person learning is a tough decision to make,” said Dr. Piggott. “I want to assure families that PPH, in partnership with district school boards, is working diligently to ensure protective measures are in place for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission in schools.”

The full letter can be read here.

In his letter, Dr. Piggott described the recommendations that were developed for Peterborough County and City schools in consultation with the Provincial Government’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. They focused on the following key areas: 

• Close monitoring of school absenteeism rates, and the results of rapid-antigen tests including those submitted to PPH through this online survey (https://chkmkt.com/RAT21). If indicators demonstrate the spread of COVID-19 exceeds set thresholds, unvaccinated students will be recommended for dismissal for five days to self-isolate. 

• Submitting rapid-antigen test results (positive or negative) to PPH’s confidential online survey at https://chkmkt.com/RAT21

• Getting vaccinated with at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine for students aged 5 - 17 years. Second doses are available 56 days (eight weeks) after the first dose. Appointments are available through the provincial booking system https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling for assistance at 1- 833-943-3900.

At all local schools, wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, completing the daily screening tool and not attending school if students or a household member is symptomatic are key public health measures.

Dr. Piggott also encourages parents and caregivers to watch the webinar entitled “ABCs of Back to In-person Learning” he gave last Thursday answering their frequently asked questions about the reopening of schools to in-person learning.

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Ontario to Ease Restrictions Every Three Weeks Starting on January 31

The Ontario Government has outlined steps to ease public health measures and restrictions starting at the end of the month announced Thursday.

Doug Ford (pictured) had to reconsider lifting the mask mandate plan for the end of March due to the rise of the Omicron variant. Screenshot.

“The evidence tells us that the measures we put in place to blunt transmission of Omicron are working,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We can be confident that the worst is behind us and that we are now in a position to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures. While February will continue to present its own challenges, given current trends these are challenges we are confident we can manage.”

As a result of the additional public health measures enacted on Jan. 5, the province is beginning to see signs of stabilization in key public health and health system indicators.

Per cent positivity has fallen and new admissions to hospitals have started to stabilize with the length of stay shortening considerably according to the Ontario Government.

In the absence of concerning trends in public health and health care indicators, Ontario will follow a cautious and phased approach to lifting public health measures with 21 days between each step.

Jan. 31

Effective Jan. 31 at 12:01 a.m., Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

• Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;

• Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)

• Shopping malls;

• Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;

• Cinemas;

• Meeting and event spaces;

• Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;

• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and

• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

• Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.

• Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.

Feb. 21

Effective Feb. 21, Ontario will lift public health measures, including:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

• Removing capacity limits in indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to restaurants, indoor sports and recreational facilities, cinemas, as well as other settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.

• Permitting spectator capacity at sporting events, concert venues and theatres at 50 per cent capacity.

• Limiting capacity in most remaining indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is not required to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance.

• Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies limited to the number that can maintain two metres of physical distance, with no limit if proof of vaccination is required.

• Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required including nightclubs, wedding receptions in meeting or event spaces where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.

Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.

Mar. 14

Effective Mar. 14, 2022, Ontario will take additional steps to ease public health measures, including:

• Lifting capacity limits in all indoor public settings. Proof of vaccination will be maintained in existing settings in addition to other regular measures.

• Lifting remaining capacity limits on religious services, rites, or ceremonies.

• Increase social gathering limits to 50 people indoors with no limits for outdoor gatherings.

To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, local and regional responses by public health units may be deployed based on local context and conditions.

“Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians we are starting to see glimmers of hope. However we know the coming weeks will continue to pose challenges, especially for our hospital partners,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue to chart our path forward, we will continue to take a gradual and cautious approach to lifting public health measures to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can continue to access the care they need.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians going out to get their booster dose and adhering to current public health and workplace safety measures, we are in a position where we can begin planning to gradually and cautiously ease restrictions,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “The months ahead will require continued vigilance, as we don’t want to cause any further disruption to people’s everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses.”

To support businesses required to close or reduce capacity due to the public health measures put in place to blunt the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has launched the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program.

Through the new program, the government will provide eligible businesses with a rebate payment of up to 100 per cent for property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these restrictions. Applications for the program opened on Jan. 18. Learn more about the program and apply here.

The government is also introducing a new COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant that will give businesses subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen a $10,000 grant.

The money will flow to eligible businesses in February. In addition, the government is also improving cash flows for Ontario businesses by making up to $7.5 billion available through a six-month interest- and penalty-free period for Ontario businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

This penalty and interest-free period started on Jan. 1. This supports businesses now and provides the flexibility they will need for long-term planning.

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No COVID-19 Deaths and One Outbreak For January 19, 2022

No new deaths and one outbreak with 569 active cases have been reported by Peterborough Public Health on Thursday.

The one outbreak occurred at a congregate living setting on Wednesday with 31 cases reported.

There are 157 total hospitalizations and 27 total ICU admissions to date in Peterborough.

New COVID-19 cases by date. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

For more information visit: https://localcovidtracker.ca/

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YMCA To Offer Emergency Child Care In Peterborough County

The YMCA of Central East Ontario is once again partnering with provincial and municipal governments to deliver emergency Child Care, opening emergency locations across Belleville, Quinte West, Prince Edward County and Peterborough County.

File Photo.

They are currently offering space in Prince Edward Lennox & Addington County at Massassauga Rednersville Public School, in Hastings County at Harry J Clarke, Susanna Moodie Public School and Prince Charles Trenton Public School and in Peterborough County at Lakefield District Public School with 78 children currently registered.

Emergency Child Care is in addition to the Y’s Child Care for registered infants, toddlers and preschool children, which continue to operate.

Before & After School programs are temporarily paused while in-person school is closed for students across Ontario.

In partnership with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, HEPA filters have been redeployed from schools to ECC rooms and N95 masks have been provided to our Early Childhood Educators.

“The pandemic has shown us the importance of Early Childhood Educators who make it possible for parents to work,” said David Allen, President and CEO of the YMCA of Central East Ontario. “Throughout the closures of the past two years, Early Childhood Educators have played a crucial role in the lives of children and families. We owe them a debt of gratitude for helping our essential services operate during these trying times.”

The Y is the largest provider of licensed not-for-profit Child Care in Ontario. This is the fourth time that the charity has delivered emergency child care for the children of essential workers to support them and local communities during the pandemic.

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St Patrick's Day Parade Cancelled Third Year In A Row

The 2022 St Patrick’s Day parade in Peterborough has been cancelled, announced on Tuesday.

This will be the third year the parade has been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

In 2020 organizers waited until two days before the event to call it off. Almost two years into the pandemic, this year they have made the call over two months in advance.

In a Facebook post organizers wrote ‘We have decided that it wasn't in our communities best interests to hold the parade this year.’

They also noted that they have full intentions to host the parade in 2023.

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One COVID-19 Death, Five Hospitalizations and Three Outbreaks For January 10, 2022

One new death, five hospitalizations, three outbreaks with 1,159 active cases have been reported by Peterborough Public Health on Monday.

The three outbreaks occurred at Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence, Congregate Living Facility #12 and Peterborough Regional Health Centre on consecutive days starting on Saturday respectively.

Nine cases were reported on Monday along with 102 that were reported over the weekend (58 on Saturday and 44 on Sunday).

There are 125 total hospitalizations and 22 total ICU admissions to date in Peterborough.

New COVID-19 cases by date. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

For more information visit: https://localcovidtracker.ca/

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