The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) has announced that individuals who have not yet received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and local youth 12 to 17 years old can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at one of the EOHU’s vaccination clinics without an appointment.

To be eligible, a walk-in must be a resident of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott-Russell, Cornwall or Akwesasne. Pfizer vaccines are available for youths.

Province speeds up second doses for youth

As the province moves to Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen, the Ontario government is accelerating second dose eligibility to all children and youth aged 12 to 17 to provide them with a strong level of protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant, and support a safe return to school in September.

Starting on Monday, July 5, at 8 a.m., youth aged 12 to 17 across the province will be eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment to receive the Pfizer vaccine through the provincial booking system, directly through public health units that use their own booking system, and through participating pharmacies.

Ontario’s vaccine rollout has surpassed targets and expanded eligibility ahead of schedule. During the week of June 21, the province administered more than one million doses in four days. Notably, 26,771 doses were administered in a single day at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena Clinic, setting a North American record. To date, the province’s public health units, mass vaccination clinics, hospital sites, pharmacies and primary care providers have administered over 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with more than 77 per cent of adult Ontarians having received their first dose and more than 42 per cent fully immunized.

To continue to protect against the Delta variant the province continues to provide targeted supports to Delta hot spots. Since last week, provincially supported mobile teams have begun returning to community and workplace sites to support second dose clinics in Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Toronto, Peel and York region hot spots. Two pop-up teams and additional vaccination staff are also helping to accelerate first and second doses in priority communities in Waterloo Region. A total of 230,000 additional doses were provided to Delta hot spots over the past weeks to accelerate vaccinations and further protect these communities.

Vaccination appointment information

Vaccination appointment booking is available directly through the provincial booking system at www.Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Individuals who require assistance with booking can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488.

The EOHU is contacting people who received their first vaccine dose before the provincial booking system was established to assist them with making appointments for their second dose.

Appointments can be made by an individual or with the help of someone. If you know someone who is part of an eligible group, please encourage them to get vaccinated. Those needing assistance with booking or getting to their COVID-19 vaccine appointment should visit the EOHU website to access local supports.

Here are the COVID-19 statistics for the Eastern Health Unit (EOHU) jurisdiction as of Friday, July 2.

Active cases Patients in hospital Patients in intensive care
2 0 0
Outbreaks in long-term care facilities and other group living institutions Individuals who have received one vaccine dose Deaths due to COVID-19
0 192,317 110

 

 

COVID-19 statistics for the province of Ontario for Friday, July 2.

Active cases Increase in cases from the previous day Patients in hospital Hospital patients in intensive care Hospital patients in intensive care on ventilators
2,175 200 179 252 160

Ontario deaths

As of Friday, July 2, there had been 9,196 deaths due to COVID-19 across Ontario, which was an increase of nine deaths from June 28.

COVID-19 vaccinations across Ontario as of Friday, July 2.

One dose Two doses
15,154,499 5,185,939

Reopening

With key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve, the provincewide vaccination rate now surpassing the targets outlined in the province’s Roadmap to Reopen, and on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government moved the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. For complete information on Step Two, go to https://thereview.ca/2021/06/24/ontario-moving-to-step-two-of-roadmap-to-reopen-on-june-30/ .

Relaxed rules at long-term care facilities on the way

In line with the move to Step Two of the government’s Roadmap to Reopen, Ontario is making additional changes to enhance long-term care home residents’ quality of life. The changes will take effect Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

Working with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and based on feedback from residents, their families, and other partners, the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s website and guidance document have been updated to set out the following:

  • Residents can have outdoor visits of up to 10 people.
  • All residents may have up to two general visitors and two caregivers for an indoor visit.
  • Personal care services can resume.
  • Cohorting of residents can be relaxed during outdoor activities.

As well, there is no longer a limit on the number of people who can be designated as a caregiver by a resident or their substitute decision-maker.

A further easing of restrictions is planned to align with the timing of Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen. These changes are expected to include:

  • Removing the limits on the number of visitors to the homes
  • Permitting buffet and family style dinning
  • Providing that all residents will be able to go on absences regardless of immunization status
  • Resumption of off-site excursions for residents
  • Resumption of activities such as singing and dancing

The province continues to actively monitor COVID-19 activity, particularly in this vulnerable sector. The health and safety of residents and staff and all others who attend homes, including their mental and emotional wellbeing, remains our top priority.