Yesterday, the news reported that two Ontario nurses travelled to Washington DC to participate in an anti-lockdown rally spreading COVID-19 misinformation. In response, WeRPN has issued a statement. Read our statement here
Reminder- Call for Submissions: We Are Practical Nursing Magazine Do you have a story to share with your nursing community? We are currently accepting submissions for the Spring issue of our magazine! We are specifically looking for stories about leadership, innovation, resilience and how nurses have overcome adversity in the face of #COVID-19 this past year. Pieces should ideally be 300-500 words. For questions & to submit your piece, please email tblair@werpn.com. Submission deadline: January 28th, 2021
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Today, the government announced it is taking additional measures to protect workers in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Beginning this Saturday and Sunday, approximately 50 ministry inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, will be visiting big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham. The blitz will focus on ensuring workers and patrons are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and following every health and safety measure.
Yesterday, Premier Ford and General Hillier provided an update on phase one of Ontario’s COVID-19 immunization program, which involves
vaccinating Ontario’s most vulnerable populations and health care workers.
According to Premier Ford, Ontario currently has the capacity to administer up to 20,000 vaccines per day. This capacity is planned to increase to 40,000 per day in February. By the completion of phase one, approximately 1.5 million people are expected to have been vaccinated in Ontario.
To date, the following goals have been set for phase one:
Vaccinate all staff and residents in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes in the four regions with the highest transmission (Toronto, Peel, York, and Windsor-Essex) by January 21.
Administer the first dose to all staff, residents, and essential caregivers in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes, province-wide, by February 15.
Additional
Information on Phase Two of Immunization Program
Following the province’s update on the first phase of the immunization program rollout, Premier Ford and General Hillier provided more details on the next phase of the program, which is expected to begin in late March or early April.
During phase two of Ontario’s immunization program, the province will expand vaccine eligibility to the following groups:
Older adults, beginning with those 80+ and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout;
Individuals living and working in high-risk congregate settings;
Frontline essential workers (e.g. first responders, teachers, food processing industry workers);
Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers.
Phase two is expected to be completed by the end of July, by which point up to 8.5 million people are expected to have been vaccinated against
COVID-19. Phase three will begin as early as August, pending vaccine availability.
Yesterday, the Federal government outlined $1.2 billion in investments made through the Fall Economic Statement (FES) in additional support for the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
The Chief Public Health Officer's statement for January 13th is available here
For more information, we encourage you to visit the Government of Canada website.
Daily
Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 228,310 confirmed cases (increase of 3,326), 193,814 resolved cases, 5,189 deaths.
The Ministry is also reporting that 1,657 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 388 are in ICU and 280 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
Update: Ontario is expanding the list of health care providers who are permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccines to support a quick rollout. Eligible health care professionals include nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy students, interns, and pharmacy technicians. Health care professionals can
register to administer the vaccine through Ontario’s health matching portal.
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
