RCD COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Committee update
Below is the summary of vaccination roll-out in Renfrew County & District released on May 5:
Second dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for Renfrew County & District residents
Renfrew County & District Health Unit has begun to book appointments for second dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments in the area, based on a 16 week interval between vaccinations. They ask that residents awaiting second dose appointments exercise patience as appointments depend upon vaccine availability. You will receive an email or telephone call with your appointment time. It is important that you confirm your appointment as quickly as possible and be sure to attend it. If 12 weeks have elapsed since your first vaccine appointment and you have not heard anything, please call RCDHU at 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097 Ext 201.
On May 4 the RCD COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Committee provided a detailed update about Second Dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Click HERE to read the full update in our COVID-19 News section.
Vaccine availability expands to new groups
On May 5 the following information was released:
Effective Thursday, May 6, 2021, eligibility will further expand to include the following groups:
• Residents in the general population born between 1967 and 1971 (50 to 54 years of age).
• Remaining elementary and secondary school workers (including educators, custodial, school bus drivers, administrative staff). • Workers responding to critical events (including police, fire, special constables, children’s aid society workers, emergency management, critical infrastructure restoration workers). • Enforcement, inspection and compliance roles (including by-law enforcement, building inspectors, food inspectors, animal welfare inspectors, border inspection officers, labour inspectors, WSIB field workers). • Remaining individuals working in licensed childcare settings (including all licensees, employees and students on educational placements who interact directly with children in licensed childcare centres and in authorized recreation and skill building programs, licensed home child care and in-home service providers, employees of home child care agencies). • Foster care agenda workers (including customary care providers). • Food manufacturing and distribution workers. • Agriculture and farm workers. • Funeral, crematorium and cemetery workers.
Please note that individuals 60 years of age and over and all other previously eligible groups who have not booked appointments can still do so.
Full details are available at rcdhu.com
Ontario updates directive, guidance for long term care homes
On May 4 the province distributed the following:
Ontario is responding to high levels of COVID-19 vaccination in many long-term care homes by making changes that will help homes safely resume communal dining and social activities. These changes will help improve residents’ quality of life while keeping homes safe.
“Our government puts the safety and well-being of long-term care residents at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care. “The high vaccination uptake in long-term care homes means we can take further steps towards bringing social interactions back — supporting the mental and emotional well-being of residents while protecting their physical well-being.”
Based on advice from public health experts and in direct response to residents and their families, an updated Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes from the Chief Medical Officer of Health was released today, along with a guidance document for long-term care homes. The updated Directive #3 sets out that long-term care homes can now safely resume activities such as communal dining and indoor events and gatherings, with precautions.
Additionally, residents and their caregivers who are fully immunized may choose to have close physical contact beyond what is required for care and supervision, such as hugging.
Once the current provincewide Stay-at-Home order is lifted, further direction allowing social and temporary outings for fully immunized residents will be issued. Under the updated Directive #3, all residents, regardless of their immunization status, can leave their homes on an essential absence, which includes outdoor exercise, buying groceries, or visiting the pharmacy, while the Stay-at-Home order is in place. Essential absences are not permitted when a resident is symptomatic, has been identified as a COVID-19 case or a contact, or as directed by local public health.
All residents continue to be able to leave their long-term care homes for medical absences or compassionate absences at all times.
Homes must provide residents with a medical mask for outings and remind them to maintain appropriate physical distancing and hand hygiene while away from the home.
The province continues to actively monitor COVID-19 activity, particularly in this vulnerable sector, and ensure that the health and safety of residents and staff in this sector remains a top priority, while improving residents’ quality of life.
Irwin,A.,Office of the Minister for Long Term Care(2021,May4) Ontario Responds to High Vaccination Rates, Modifies Restrictions in Long-Term Care Homes Changes will help improve residents’ quality of life while keeping homes safe [media release]
