The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has added only one new COVID-19 case over the weekend.
The number brings the combined total to 263 since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.
Currently, our district only has five active cases with three in Nipissing and two in Parry Sound.
Meantime, the Health Unit has also released more information relating to the vaccine rollout in the area as the Health Unit’s Vaccine Strategy Playbook is now available on its website.
Health Unit officials believe the playbook document serves as a basis to guide the local rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.
"As higher volumes of COVID-19 vaccine shipments become available throughout Ontario, the Health Unit would like to remind the public that at this time, vaccines are being administered locally to priority groups included in Phase One of Ontario’s Ethical Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution. The pace at which the Health Unit can move through the priority groups is dependent on vaccine shipments received locally."
To date, the Health Unit's first shipment was received January 26 and the second on February 22.
By March 11, 2021, the Health Unit aims to have completed the second dose of COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care home residents, First Nation elder care individuals and staff, and alternate level of care patients that have received their first dose of vaccine.
"We aim to provide first doses for all staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes who wish to receive the vaccine," the release stated.
"Additionally, vaccine has been allocated to begin immunizing alternate level of care patients in hospital as well as to begin immunizing our highest priority health care workers."
The immediate priorities for vaccine roll out for the remainder of March include:
- Alternate level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
- Highest Priority health care workers, followed by Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).
When the above immediate priority groups have received vaccination for COVID-19, as vaccine is available, the remaining Phase 1 population will be eligible to receive the vaccine, including:
- Adults 80 years of age and older.
- ·Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living).
- ·Health care workers in the High Priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- ·All Indigenous adults.
- ·Adult recipients of chronic home care.
The Health Unit is not taking appointments for COVID-19 immunization at this time. We are aware of individuals receiving fraudulent calls about vaccine appointment booking and wish to remind the public that the Health Unit does not contact individuals to book appointments. If you believe you are receiving fraudulent calls, please contact your local authorities or the Anti-Fraud Centre.
For more information on local COVID-19 vaccine status visit www.myhealthunit.ca/COVID-
