Following the release of some alarming trends in today's updated provincial modelling, WeRPN along with our health colleagues at the Ontario Hospital Association, RNAO, the Ontario Medical Association & the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario re-issued an urgent plea to Ontarians to do their part and celebrate the holidays safely this year. Read our joint statement.
There has been a lot of news over the past couple of weeks and we want to ensure RPNs are informed. We'll be highlighting key information for you during our next Facebook Live, next Tuesday December 15th 2020 at 8PM. We hope you will join us.
RPN COVID-19 Survey After months of battling the pandemic, we are seeking insights from the RPN community about how COVID-19 has impacted you and your practice. This data will support the association’s efforts to raise awareness about the issues that matter to RPNs and advocate on their behalf to government and
health partners. We hope you will share your experiences with us!
Click here to be directed to the survey. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please submit responses by Friday, December 11, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Public Health Agency of Canada Survey and Education
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is surveying health care providers currently practicing in Canada to learn more about the training and resources that will be most useful to help you discuss COVID-19 vaccines with patients/clients, and to receive the vaccine yourself when they become available. The survey deadline is December 13th and can be accessed here: COVID-19 vaccine resource and training needs survey for health care providers.
They are also hosting educational vaccine webinars next week. Learn more
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Today, Premier Ford issue a statement on Ontario's readiness to receive COVID-10 vaccines. A small amount of doses will be arriving in Ontario shortly. Beginning Tuesday, December 15, these first doses will be administered at University Health Network and The Ottawa Hospital to health care workers who are providing care in long-term care homes and other high-risk settings.
This afternoon, Ontario released updated
modelling that shows that while percent positivity appears to be flattening, the lockdowns in Toronto and Peel region have not been as effective as those in the spring. According to the data, there has been a 91.6 per cent increase in hospitalizations over the past month and there has been a 165.9 per cent increase in patients being admitted to ICUs.
Yesterday, the government also announced an investment of more than $5 million through the Ontario Together Fund. The investment will support three companies in designing and producing respirators and surgical masks for frontline and healthcare
workers.
Late Tuesday, the Ontario Legislature adjourned for the remainder of 2020, two days ahead of the scheduled end of the 2020 fall session. A full list of bills passed during this session, including 10 private members’ bills and 26 government bills are available here. The list includes six emergency COVID-19 bills.
Yesterday, the Health Canada authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine.
Health Canada has published a number of documents related to this decision, including a high-level summary of the evidence that Health Canada reviewed to support the authorization of the
vaccine.
For more information, we encourage you to visit the Government of Canada website.
Daily Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 134,783 confirmed cases (increase of 1,983), 114,679 resolved cases, 3,871 deaths and 66,326 currently under investigation with lab results pending.
The Ministry is also reporting that 829 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 228 are in ICU and 132 are vented. To view these additional details:click here
Click Hereto read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report
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
