WeRPN is pleased to continue with the winter edition of our Career Directors webinar series. The Career Directions program has been customized by professional development experts Gail Donner and Mary Wheeler to provide RPNs with an
opportunity to review their career to date, learn strategies to assist in making future career decisions, and learn how to develop a career plan. This week, join us for Module Four-- Planning (Available until March 8). Click hereto register and watch on demand
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Yesterday, Premier Doug Ford announced an investment of $115 million to train up to 8,200 new personal support workers (PSWs) for jobs in the province’s long-term care and community care sectors. This investment is part of Ontario’s Long-Term Care Staffing Plan, which was announced in December with the objective of increasing daily direct care for long-term care residents to an average of four hours by 2024-25.
Earlier yesterday, Chair of the
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, General Rick Hillier (retired) provided an update on Ontario’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, including details on when Ontarians aged 65 and over can expect to receive their vaccine. Following this update, General Hillier responded to questions from media.
As Ontario begins to transition out of Phase One, and into Phase Two of its immunization campaign, the focus will remain on completing vaccinations in long-term care, retirement homes, and First Nations elder care homes. The province will also continue to focus on vaccinating patient-facing health care workers and people living in remote Indigenous communities.
Phase Two Details
Phase Two of the immunization campaign will focus on administering vaccines to older Ontarians, beginning with those aged 80 and older, who have not already been immunized in a congregate living setting.
According to General Hillier, Ontario has elected to use its 34 public health units (PHUs) as the main delivery vehicle of COVID-19 vaccines, given the expertise of PHUs in executing vaccination campaigns, and their knowledge of their local communities.
The province is also launching an online booking system, which the general public will use to make an appointment for their vaccine once eligible. This system is being tested and will be available on March 15th, when Ontarians aged 80 and up can book an appointment. Throughout Phase Two, Ontario will keep a “small strategic allocation” of approximately 10 percent of vaccines, in order to respond to future disruptions in supply.
Vaccination Forecast: March – June
According to General Hillier, the expected timelines for beginning vaccinations of the highest-risk groups are as follows:
Age 80 and up: third week of March
Age 75 and up: April 15
Age 70 and up: May 1
Age 65 and up: June 1
Essential workers can also expect to be eligible to receive vaccinations beginning in May, pending vaccine supply.
The statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on February 24, 2021 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 297,311 confirmed cases (increase of 1138), 280,324 resolved cases, 6,916 deaths.
The Ministry is also reporting that 687 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 283 are in ICU and 182 are vented. To view these additional details:click here
Click
Here to 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 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
