By Shawn Jeffords
THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Premier Doug Ford is set to make an announcement about Ontario’s reopening plan on Thursday afternoon as COVID-19 cases in the province decline. The health minister has said the plan will be “sector-specific” and involve a staggered approach to reopening some activities. “We need to do this slowly […]

Press release

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO — The pandemic has elevated mental health as a key issue for young Canadians in Thunder Bay-Superior North. Isolation, uncertainty, fear, and economic worries are all contributing to deteriorating mental health. Most Canadians indicate that the pandemic has negatively affected their mental health, nd 80% of Ontarians […]

By Melissa Couto Zuber
THE CANADIAN PRESS

News last week that several vaccinated members of the New York Yankees baseball team had tested positive for COVID-19 sparked concern over the effectiveness of the jabs. Experts say the cases aren’t necessarily cause for alarm, however, and we’ll likely see more incidents as vaccine rollouts continue globally. The nine […]

By Merna Emara
Staff Writer
memara@fortfrances.com

Survey shows that Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in northern Ontario communities are experiencing high levels of workload pressure, anxiety, workplace violence and physical and mental exhaustion. This survey, administered by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) from March to April, was […]

By Merna Emara
Staff Writer
memara@fortfrances.com

After the Ontario province halted the first dose distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine, pharmacies across Ontario are waiting to receive vials to finish the second round of vaccinations. Ashley LaFreniere, assistant at Pharmasave in Fort Frances, said after they give out the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, they are […]

By Natali Trivuncic
Staff Writer
ntrivuncic@fortfrances.com

Yesterday morning, anyone aged 18 or older could book a vaccine appointment directly through the Ontario website. Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), said they look forward to seeing many young people at their clinics and remind the public that high vaccination […]

A walk-in vaccine clinic is being held today, May 19, from 1-5:30 p.m. at St. Francis School in Fort Frances. The clinic is open to anyone 18 and over, needing their first shot, on a first come, first served basis. A green Ontario health card is required. People may have […]

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Ontario and Canadian governments, have launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative. Through this initiative, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will roll out free rapid tests for small- and medium-sized businesses in the Northwestern […]

By Holly McKenzie-Sutter
THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Ontario said its COVID-19 hot spots will have enough vaccines to meet demand when all adults become eligible for shots this week, but critics said the province wasn’t doing enough for areas hit hardest by the pandemic. The government announced Monday that everyone aged 18 and older would […]

THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL – Quebec Premier Francois Legault is scheduled to announce the province’s reopening plan today. Earlier this month, Legault said he was impressed with Saskatchewan’s “Re-Opening Roadmap” and asked Health Minister Christian Dube to develop a similar plan. Saskatchewan’s three-step plans calls for a gradual reopening with various restrictions lifted […]