A reminder that there's just over a week left to help us showcase RPNs who go above and beyond with our Awards of Excellence. If you
know an inspiring and incredible RPN (or many), please nominate them for one of our 5 Awards and help us celebrate them. Nominations due next Friday July 24th. For more details and to access the nomination forms, please visit werpn.com/awards
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Today, the government extended Emergency Orders until July 29th.
The government also announced today that Ontario is expanding the Risk Management Program to total of $150 million annually. This funding supports farmers with unforeseen challenges such as fluctuating market prices, extreme weather events like flooding or drought, and disease.
Yesterday, Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Long-Term Care, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, announced a redesigned funding model for the long-term care sector which will accelerate the construction of long-term care projects. The government also announced an investment of $1.75 billion into the long-term care sector over the next five years, which will lead to the development of 8,000 new beds and the redevelopment of 12,000 beds.
In addition to funding, design standards for new and renovated long-term care homes are also being modernized to include features such as air conditioning, private or semi-private rooms, and the latest medical technology.
The government is also working on regulations to mandate air conditioning in existing long-term care homes, and is working with the sector to dedicate funding to ensure that long-term care homes in need have working air conditioning
Yesterday, the government also announced that effective immediately, Ontario is allowing up to two guests at a time to attend outdoor visits with loved ones in long-term care. Attestation of a negative COVID-19 test result in the previous two weeks will no longer be required for outdoor visits.
Beginning July 22nd, Ontario will also begin allowing indoor visits in long-term care homes that do not have active COVID-19 cases. Two guests per resident will also be allowed for indoor visits, although guests will be required to attest that they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous two weeks.
Key Federal Updates Today, the Federal government announced it will provide $19 billion to the provinces and territories to help fund a "safe restart" of the Canadian economy. The money will focus on seven priority areas, including:
Enhanced COVID-19 testing and contact tracing,
Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front line workers and businesses,
Funding for municipalities for transit,
A national sick leave plan and child
care
The Prime Minister also confirmed the US-Canada border will remain closed until August.
Yesterday, the government noted that of the more than two million people who crossed the border into Canada since this country implemented strict quarantine laws, no one has been arrested and just a handful have been fined for breaking the two-week isolation rule — figures the Public Health Agency of Canada says show the current strategy is working. For more information, we encourage you to visit theGovernment of Canada website.
Daily Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 37,163 confirmed cases (increase of 111), 33,061 resolved cases, 2,731 deaths and 25,297 currently under investigation with lab results pending.
The Ministry is also reporting that 107 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 26 are in ICU and 20 are vented. To view these additional details: click here
Click Hereto read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report **Please note, these reports are intended for health professionals only and we request that you not share this with the public.
World Health Organization Situation Reports are also available here
In the News For an interactive map tracking all cases across Canada and internationally, click here
Below are some key stories from today that may be of interest to our members:
We encourage RPNs looking for employment opportunities to sign up on all the platforms noted above.
We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for the important work that you're doing and the sacrifices you're making to keep Ontarians safe. We appreciate everything that you're doing each and every day.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tiff Blair at tblair@werpn.com
Sincerely,
WeRPN Team
WeRPN 5025 Orbitor Drive Building 5, Suite 200 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Y5
