The following media release just in from Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) advises that vaccination of long term care residents has begun in Madawaska Valley.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is working with Long Term Care Homes to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to residents during the next two weeks. RCDHU staff in collaboration with partners have completed the first on-site clinic at Valley Manor Long Term Care Home in Barry’s Bay. This is in accordance with the January 25 provincial government announcement that each long term care, high-risk retirement home and First Nations elder care home residents in the province would receive first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by February 5, 2021.
As a result, the Ontario Government announced that staff and essential caregivers will receive the vaccine at a later date, as supply stabilizes. This change comes after last week’s announcement by the Ontario Government that further reductions in Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shipments are resulting in no deliveries for the week of January 25, and a reduced shipment of just over 26,000 doses for the first two weeks in February.
“We are asking residents to be patient during this time. We will release more information on timelines and vaccine roll out as it becomes available. It is our firm hope that keeping our case numbers low and rolling out the vaccines will put this behind us. Remember, we need to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay home. Stay Safe. Save lives,” states Dr. Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU.
In addition to the new public health measures set out in the provincial shutdown and second provincial emergency order, it is imperative that everyone do their part to keep the community safe; stay home if they are sick, avoid contact with people who are ill, practice physical distancing (2 metres), wear a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, wash their hands, use the COVID Alert App, and if you are symptomatic, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool or COVID-19 school and child care self-assessment tool before going to work, school or daycare, to monitor for symptoms and proper guidance. For more information, visit RCDHU’s website at https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2/ or call 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit(2021,Jan.26) RCDHU COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out – Long Term Care Residents to Receive Vaccinations First [media release]
