July 15, 2021 – Blue-Green Algae Bloom Found – Muskrat Lake
July 15, 2021 ‐ Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) and the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks investigated the discovery of a substance floating on and around the shore at Muskrat Lake. The substance has been confirmed to be a blue-green algae bloom. The water sample was collected on July 12, 2021, and results received last night on July 14, 2021.
July 9, 2021 – Province Moving to Step 3 of Roadmap to Reopening Ontario July 16
July 9, 2021 ‐ Today, the Ontario Government announced that the province will be moving to Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen effective Friday, July 16, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. Step three will include but is not limited to: • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions; • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people; • Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing; • Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect; • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less. Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less; • Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less); • Essential and non-essential retail with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; • Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; • Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors; • Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at: o up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less) o up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
July 2, 2021 – RCDHU Issues Drug Warning for RCD Residents
July 2, 2021 ‐ Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is warning residents that toxic drugs continue to circulate locally causing an increased risk of overdose.
June 25, 2021 – The Best Vaccine for Your Second Dose is the First One Available to You
June 25, 2021 ‐ Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), wants to remind residents that interchanging, or "mixing" vaccines is a safe and effective option to gain strong protection from COVID-19.
June 24, 2021 – Province Moves to Step 2 of Roadmap to Reopening Ontario June 3
June 24, 2021 ‐ Today, the Ontario Government announced that the province will be moving to Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen as more than 76 percent of adults across Ontario have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Effective Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., Step two will include: • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 5 people; • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events of up to 25 people; • Outdoor dining for up to 6 people per table, with exceptions for larger households; • Essential retail capacity permitted at 50 percent and non-essential retail capacity permitted at 25 percent; • Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 25 percent capacity of the particular room; • Outdoor fitness classes limited to the number of people who can maintain 3 metres of physical distance; • Outdoor sports without contact or modified to avoid contact, with no specified limit on number of people or teams participating, with restrictions; • Overnight camps for children operating in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health; • Outdoor sport facilities with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity; • Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity; • Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity; • Outdoor fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals, permitted at 25 per cent capacity and with other restrictions.
June 18, 2021 – RCDHU Shares Good News for Renfrew County and District and Meets Important Milestone in the Fight Against COVID-19
June 18, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is reporting good news for the residents of Renfrew County and District (RCD) in the fight against COVID-19. As of June 17, 2021, 70% of all RCDHU residents aged 18 and over, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically, 54% of residents aged 18 and over, have received one dose and another 16% have now received two doses
June 10, 2021 – Blue-Green Algae
June 10, 2021 ‐ Warmer temperatures are here, and along with the warmer water temperatures comes algae blooms. Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is advising residents living around or using lakes and rivers for recreational purposes, to take precautions when using the water if algae blooms are present.
June 7, 2021 – RCDHU Warns to Take Precautions During High Heat and Humidity
June 7, 2021 ‐ An extreme heat event has been issued for Renfrew County and District (RCD), with expected maximum temperatures ranging from 31°C - 33°C (Humidex 38°C - 40°C) both Monday, June 7th and Tuesday, June 8th. It is important to take steps to prevent heat-related illness during this heat event. Extreme heat can put everyone at risk from heat related illness, however older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic health conditions, people who work or exercise in the heat, homeless people and low-income earners are at greatest risk.
May 28, 2021 – Province Shortening Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccination Doses
May 28, 2021 ‐ Today, the Ontario Government announced that the province is shortening the interval between first and second COVID-19 vaccination doses as 65% of Ontarians aged 18 and over have now received their first dose. The timing of second dose appointments may vary based on local considerations, vaccine supply and the date of first dose appointment.
May 27, 2021 – RCDHU Confirms Bat Tests Positive for the Rabies Virus
May 27, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) received confirmation of rabies in a bat collected from a resident in the Town of Renfrew. Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. This virus attacks the central nervous system causing involuntary muscle spasms, and if left untreated results in death.