Timmins Awareness 2021

03/25/2022

Should I resume posting?

07/09/2021

MEDIA RELEASE: COVID-19: Northern Health Units Partner with Hockey League for “Vaccine Playoffs”

Timmins, Ontario — The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is teaming up with five northern health units to host a friendly “Vaccine Playoff” competition amongst teams. The goal of the competition is to encourage youth and all eligible hockey fans to get their COVID-19 vaccination. Team vaccination rates will be posted starting Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Participating health units include the Algoma Public Health, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Porcupine Health Unit, Public Health Sudbury & Districts, and the Timiskaming Health Unit.

“For youth in the North, NOJHL players are viewed as role models,” said Dr. Catton, Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit. “The NOJHL players are receiving their vaccinations to get back to the ice safely and we are hoping this can have a positive influence on our community members so they too can get back to the activities they love, or back into the stands, with the added protection of COVID-19
vaccination.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the NOJHL! The players are leading by example and showing how we can all take action to protect our communities,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “Being able to safely get back to the activities we love is a powerful motivator for everyone to get vaccinated and give us great hope. The NOJHL’s support and leadership is exactly the right type of encouragement we need at this time to reach our
vaccination goals.”

For more information, visit our website: https://www.porcupinehu.on.ca/en/audiences/news-media/

06/14/2021

The presence and increase in the highly contagious Delta variant (B.617) within the PHU area is extremely concerning; therefore, we need to move quickly and offer first and second doses to all eligible residents. Having two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provides increased protection against the Delta variant. Many individuals have made the informed and safe decision to follow a mixed mRNA schedule. This means, having a different mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine for dose 1 and 2. This is a safe and effective choice that will help us get second doses out quicker. Individuals are encouraged to continue with this option. This recommendation is based on emerging clinical evidence about the administration of two different vaccines, as supported by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

In addition, individuals who received a first dose of AstraZeneca are now able, with informed consent, to choose between a second dose of AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine, at an eight to 12-week interval. While waiting 12 weeks helps to ultimately provide more protection, some may choose to receive their second dose sooner to have the increased protection provided by a second dose earlier. All of these options provide protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant, and have been deemed safe.

At this time, the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) is pleased to share that an additional allocation of Moderna has been received in response to the health unit’s ongoing requests to the Ministry of Health. The health unit, along with community partners, will begin administering second doses of Moderna starting in Timmins and extending through our branch communities the week of June 21, 2021. Please be patient as we work through the logistics and prepare to announce these clinics.

phu.fyi/coronavirus / phu.fyi/covid-vaccine

06/12/2021

The Porcupine Health Unit is offering second doses in an ACCELERATED approach.

Due to the local context of the Porcupine Health Unit, including surge in COVID-19 cases, ongoing outbreaks, and the discovery of the highly contagious Delta-Variant, second doses are now available to ALL individuals aged 16+ who received a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine 28 days ago.

If you received a second dose appointment at the time of your first vaccine, please note that ALL of these clinics will be cancelled. You MUST self-schedule into an open clinic for your second dose. Phu.fyi/covid-vaccine

06/10/2021

Second doses are available for anyone who received Pfizer or Moderna 28+ days ago!

06/08/2021

Important news: Second doses are now available and eligibility is expanding!

From PHU: "All individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine ON OR BEFORE April 18th can now schedule a dose two appointment and receive Pfizer for their second dose."

If you want to wait for Moderna for a second dose, you will have to wait for expanded availability. Both mRNA vaccines are very effective and considered to be interchangable.

Also: If you received your first dose after April 18, you might be eligible if you meet the criteria (healthcare worker, 70+, etc.)

Reminder #1: COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. Stay home and do not gather with others. Get vaccinated ASAP and please share this information with others.

Reminder #2: Everyone 12+ remains eligible for a first dose and there are still significant portions of the population unprotected from COVID-19.

CLINICS:
JUNE 11 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
600+ appointments remaining!

JUNE 13 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
800+ appointments remaining!

JUNE 15 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
800+ appointments remaining!

JUNE 17 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
800+ appointments remaining!

JUNE 18 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
800+ appointments remaining!

JUNE 20 @ MOUNTJOY ARENA
800+ appointments remaining!

Must book by 4PM the day before
https://www.porcupinehu.on.ca/en/your-health/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid-vaccine/

06/03/2021

Reminder: if you haven't had your first dose yet, and you are 12 years old or older, you are eligible!

And there is good news: second doses are available for a wider group of people*:
-Individuals who are 80+
-Urban indigenous and their household members 18+
-People with certain medical conditions
-Health care workers who provide direct patient care

These groups are in addition to:
-Long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care and Assisted Living residents
-On-reserve First Nations members and remote and isolated First Nation communities

More people will be eligible for their second doses over the coming weeks.

*This is not an exhaustive list. Go to phy.fyi to see the complete list and to book your appointment when you are eligible!

https://www.porcupinehu.on.ca/en/your-health/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid-bulletins/shortened-interval-for-second-doses/

05/29/2021

Consider contacting your provincial and federal elected officials. We need a spotlight on the situation here in the Porcupine Health Unit, and national media coverage.

05/29/2021

COVID-19 is still spreading in Timmins and surrounding areas. Stay home!

05/27/2021

Good to see that the younger age groups are getting vaccinated!

Update for Thursday, May 27, 2021

The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) is reporting nineteen new COVID-19 cases and sixty five resolved cases among residents in the health unit area. Fourteen cases are in the Timmins area, four cases are in the James and Hudson Bay area and one case is in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls. Eight cases are contacts of a case, one case is related to an outbreak and ten cases are under investigation. Visit phu.fyi/covid-cases for more information about confirmed cases in the PHU region.

Vaccines work and are the way out of this pandemic. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is lower in the age groups who have high vaccination percentages. In contrast, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is higher in the age groups who have lower vaccination percentages and who haven’t been vaccinated as long. Overall, 65.2% of PHU residents aged 18 years and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The health unit is currently holding vaccination clinics for all individuals who are 12 years and older. The PHU currently has appointments available for Timmins, Matheson, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, South Porcupine, Iroquois Falls, and Hornepayne. Visit phu.fyi/covid-vaccine for information or to book your appointment.

Our COVID-19 information line is open today from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 705-360-4819 or the toll-free number, 1-800-461-1818. See phu.fyi/offices for local contact numbers.

05/27/2021

Don't let your guard down. Porcupine Health Unit is still Ontario's #1 hotspot. We have double the active cases per capita compared to Toronto.

05/26/2021

Pass it around! PHU finally hiring some helpers.