Local News from Across the Rainy River District
OTTAWA – Another year, another crisis. For Justin Trudeau, it’s become something of a routine. Of his six years as prime minister, only one – his first – has been what might be considered a normal year of governing, with the usual ups and downs. His first mandate was upended […]
Canada’s federal government offered a lifeline to businesses struggling amid the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding eligibility for two benefit programs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several members of his cabinet announced Wednesday that, due to the increasingly widespread Omicron variant and spiking COVID-19 cases, the government […]
LONDON (AP) – The British government said Thursday it won’t introduce any new coronavirus restrictions until after Christmas, and called early studies on the severity of the omicron variant encouraging. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said two studies suggesting omicron carries a significantly lower risk of hospitalization than the previously dominant […]
As the pandemic moved into 2021, health care partners across the region and province began to experience increasing staffing shortages, an issue that has exacerbated across long term care and hospital environments in recent months. As a result of staffing shortages at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home, Riverside Health Care […]
Besides administering COVID-19 vaccinations, 2021 was a year of many milestones for the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU). Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the NWHU, said 2021 was a challenging year that began with province-wide restrictions that shut down schools, many businesses and recreational centres. “As the […]
With COVID-19 cases back on the rise, the current high school sports season is uncertain. The Muskies’ winter court season, boys basketball and girls volleyball, began on Dec. 9 in Atikokan and games slated to be played on Dec. 14 were cancelled due to bus shutdown. Muskie boys and girls […]
Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is responding to the urgent threat of the omicron variant of COVID-19 and the recent spike in local cases. Getting a booster dose of the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from infection. “Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are not shown […]
Signs of strain on COVID-19 testing capacity emerged in Ontario and Quebec on Monday, prompting calls for limited resources to be prioritized for those who needed it most. In Ontario, Ottawa Public Health advised the public of an “unprecedented surge” at testing sites that’s left the centres unable to keep […]
TORONTO – Ontario is reporting 3,453 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths from the virus. Health Minister Christine Elliott says 805 of the cases are in people who aren’t vaccinated and 148 people have an unknown vaccination status. The new numbers are based on 49,285 completed tests. There were 165 […]
Surging COVID-19 cases brought on by the spread of the Omicron variant have put a damper on the “most wonderful time of year” for small business owners, as multiple provinces reinstate tough public health restrictions. Dan Kelly of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said that last month, the organization […]
LONDON (AP) – Britain announced 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in grants and other aid to help the hospitality industry survive the onslaught of the omicron variant of COVID-19, bowing to days of pressure from pubs, restaurants and other businesses that have seen their income plunge following public health warnings. […]
TORONTO – Ontario has reintroduced capacity limits at restaurants, bars and retailers, and capping indoor social gatherings at 10 people in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. The province is also limiting outdoor gatherings to 25, and prohibiting food and drink consumption at sports arenas, cinemas […]
