As the local health unit prepares to administer this season's flu shots, the agency that promotes health protection in Ontario says hand-washing is still the best method in preventing the sread of the flu.
Doctor Michael Gardam of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion says while no specific studies it will reduces the transmission of flu, handwashing is effective.
Gardam says the use of hand-sanitizers is also an effective tool especially for health care workers.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Regional Hospitals
The number of people visiting Hospital emergency rooms continues to rise, prompting officials to take precautions.Staff in Dryden and Sioux Lookout are asking the public to not visit.
There are some exceptions and in that case visitors will be screened and will be required to wear masks.
In Sioux Lookout, if you do have to go to the Hospital, access will be limited to one entrance at each site.
Staff movement between Hospitals is now restricted and all staff and physicians must be immunized with the H1N1 vaccine.
Officials say they have 1-confirmed case of the H1N1 virus to date.Dryden officials are reported no confirmed cases and note staff and volunteers will get their H1N1 shot starting tomorrow.
There are some exceptions and in that case visitors will be screened and will be required to wear masks.
In Sioux Lookout, if you do have to go to the Hospital, access will be limited to one entrance at each site.
Staff movement between Hospitals is now restricted and all staff and physicians must be immunized with the H1N1 vaccine.
Officials say they have 1-confirmed case of the H1N1 virus to date.Dryden officials are reported no confirmed cases and note staff and volunteers will get their H1N1 shot starting tomorrow.
Abitibi Accident Fort Frances
Authorities now say two people were involved in an incident at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances Sunday that left a 15-year-old girl with serious injuries, including burns to her body.
Ministry of Labour says the two scaled a fence late Sunday evening and one made contact with a source of electricity.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, the 15-year-old was found in a fenced off area near a power transformer.
The Electrical Safety Authority is also assisting O-P-P in the investigation.
Ministry of Labour says the two scaled a fence late Sunday evening and one made contact with a source of electricity.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, the 15-year-old was found in a fenced off area near a power transformer.
The Electrical Safety Authority is also assisting O-P-P in the investigation.
NWHU Flu Hotline
The Northwestern Health Unit has set up a hotline to deal with inquiries about the latest flue shot clinics.
The H1N1 clinics began this morning and will run until 4:00 this afternoon at the Kenora Rec. Center.
Another clinic will take place at the Norman Community Club on Friday.
The hotline will operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Its a toll-free call at 1-866-468-2240.
The H1N1 clinics began this morning and will run until 4:00 this afternoon at the Kenora Rec. Center.
Another clinic will take place at the Norman Community Club on Friday.
The hotline will operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Its a toll-free call at 1-866-468-2240.
Tim Horton's Camp
The Manitoba government has cancelled a plan to build a Tim Hortons kids camp on a lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park.
Manitoba Conservation and the Tim Horton Children's Foundation unveiled a plan earlier this year to build a $10-million camp for up to 260 kids on Meditation Lake just west of the Ontario/Manitoba border.
However, the province announced last week the camp will not be built there because there some water-quality concerns related to high levels of blue-green algae.
The decision was also partly due to some backlash at public meetings.
The Tim Horton Children's Foundation runs five camps in Canada and a sixth in Kentucky, all for
kids from underprivileged backgrounds.
Manitoba Conservation and the Tim Horton Children's Foundation unveiled a plan earlier this year to build a $10-million camp for up to 260 kids on Meditation Lake just west of the Ontario/Manitoba border.
However, the province announced last week the camp will not be built there because there some water-quality concerns related to high levels of blue-green algae.
The decision was also partly due to some backlash at public meetings.
The Tim Horton Children's Foundation runs five camps in Canada and a sixth in Kentucky, all for
kids from underprivileged backgrounds.
Halloween Decorating Safety Tips
The Kenora Fire Department wants to see Jack O'Lanterns lit up by battery operated candles or flash lights.
Fire and Emergency Services is reminding the public to be fire safe when decorating for Halloween.
Spokesperson Fred Ralko says lighting the Jack O'Lantern is a tradition that can be dangerous.
Ralko notes kids costumes should be covered in reflective tape and use a flash light when travelling on the dark streets.
Fire and Emergency Services is reminding the public to be fire safe when decorating for Halloween.
Spokesperson Fred Ralko says lighting the Jack O'Lantern is a tradition that can be dangerous.
Ralko notes kids costumes should be covered in reflective tape and use a flash light when travelling on the dark streets.
KPDSB Flu Plan
The Keewatin Patricia District School Board is bracing for its first cases of H1N1.
The public board recently reviewed its pandemic plan, and discussed what actions they're taking to prevent the spread of swine flu.
Spokesperson Jocelyn Bullock says hand sanitizers are being placed in school offices only.
Bullock notes they don't want to promote using hand sanitizers over good old fashion hand washing.
The public board recently reviewed its pandemic plan, and discussed what actions they're taking to prevent the spread of swine flu.
Spokesperson Jocelyn Bullock says hand sanitizers are being placed in school offices only.
Bullock notes they don't want to promote using hand sanitizers over good old fashion hand washing.
Whitefeather Project
The Pikangikum First Nation is planning to set aside more than 430 thouand hectare of forest land as a protected area.
The provincial government signed terms of reference with the remote community for forestry planning in the Whitefeather Forest.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield was in Pikangikum this week to sign the agreement and says she's been encouraged by the progress so far.
Under the terms of reference a forestry plan for the Whitefeather Forest will be ready by 2012.
36 percent of the forest has been designated for protection.
The provincial government signed terms of reference with the remote community for forestry planning in the Whitefeather Forest.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield was in Pikangikum this week to sign the agreement and says she's been encouraged by the progress so far.
Under the terms of reference a forestry plan for the Whitefeather Forest will be ready by 2012.
36 percent of the forest has been designated for protection.
All Day Kindergarten
The provincial government hasn't indicated what schools will be able to offer all-day kindergarten program next fall.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced funding for the 1.5 billion dollar initiative yesterday.
Northern Development and Mines Minister, Michael Gravelle says theywill be working with both school boards and municipalities on phase one of the program.
Gravelle says there won't be any money for renovations during the first phaseof the all-day kindergarten program, so school boards will have to have existing space for the classes.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced funding for the 1.5 billion dollar initiative yesterday.
Northern Development and Mines Minister, Michael Gravelle says theywill be working with both school boards and municipalities on phase one of the program.
Gravelle says there won't be any money for renovations during the first phaseof the all-day kindergarten program, so school boards will have to have existing space for the classes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
