The number of active cases of COVID-19 under Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) jurisdiction had decreased to 416 as of Thursday, January 28.  There had been 458 active cases on January 27.

According to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, there were eight new cases under EOHU jurisdiction on Thursday.  Four were among the population of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and two cases each were in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, and the City of Cornwall.

There were 24 COVID-19 patients from the EOHU’s territory in hospital as of January 28 and five of those patients were in intensive care.

The number of deaths resulting from COVID-19 across the area served by the EOHU as of Thursday was 52.

Back to school—again

In-person classes at schools across the territory served by the EOHU will resume on Monday, February 1.  Roumeliotis said that cases of COVID-19 have declined considerably since the beginning of January following the Christmas holiday season.  He said that it was evident that people had disregarded public health directives and had social gatherings over the holidays.  The rate of COVID-19 positivity quadrupled among 11 to 13 year olds following the holidays.

With the March school break approaching in approximately six weeks, Roumeliotis warned that social gatherings during the break are not recommended.  He surmised that school boards could decide to cancel March Break but emphasized that he is not the one who will make such a decision.  Roumeliotis acknowledged that for many students, parents, and teachers, March Break could be a welcome opportunity to relax because of the challenging school year this has been.

Long-term care outbreaks

As of January 28, COVID-19 outbreaks of two or more cases were in effect at the following long-term care, retirement, and group living facilities under EOHU jurisdiction:

Rideau Place in Hawkesbury

Manoir Carillon in Chute-à-Blondeau

Pinecrest Nursing Home in Plantagenet

Maxville Manor

Foyer St-Jacques in Embrun

Foyer St-Viateur Nursing Home in Limoges

Centre d’Acceuil Roger-Séguin in Clarence Creek

Valoris Group Home in Cheney

Lancaster Long-Term Care

Baldwin House in Cornwall

Sandfield Place Long-Term Care in Cornwall

Riverview Manor in Cornwall

Cornwall Community Hospital—11600 pod

Cornwall Community Hospital—JMP 2500 and 2600 pods

Glen Stor Dun Lodge in Cornwall

Iakhihsohtha Lodge in Akwesasne

TSIIonKwa NonhSoTe Long-Term Care in Akwesasne

Woodland Villa in Long Sault

Vaccination information

As of January 28, all residents of long-term care facilities under EOHU jurisdiction had received their first COVID-19 vaccine.  The EOHU received 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week, and shipments from Pfizer are to resume next week.  The health unit is now planning to vaccinate residents of high-risk retirement homes across the territory.

Roumeliotis said on Thursday that he is convinced that the vaccine shortage will be resolved and that there could end up being more than enough vaccines available for residents.

“At some point, our problem is going be a lot of vaccine and convincing people to get vaccinated.”

As of Thursday, January 28, 2,362 people across the territory served by the EOHU had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Alexandria testing moves

Effective Monday, February 1, the COVID-19 testing and assessment centre in Alexandria will be relocating to Glengarry Memorial Hospital.

Ontario statistics

The Provincewide Shutdown and stay-at-home order remain in effect across the province of Ontario until February 9.

As of January 28, there were 2,093 new, active cases of COVID-19 across Ontario from January 27.  According to calculations based on statistics from the Ministry of Health, there were 21,478 active cases of COVID-19 across Ontario as of Thursday.

There were 1,338 COVID-19 patients in hospital across Ontario as of January 28.  Out of those patients, 358 were in intensive care, and 276 patients were on ventilators.

There had been 6,014 deaths due to COVID-19 across Ontario as of January 28.

EOHU COVID-19 case map, January 28, 2021

Map: Eastern Ontario Health Unit

EOHU COVID-19 media briefing, January 28, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsqXs-L41RE