March 5, 2021 – Rise in COVID-19 Cases Moves Renfrew County and District to Yellow
March 5, 2021 ‐ Over the month of February and during the first few days of March 2021, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has reported a rise in cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). While case numbers were low during the first half of February, with 9 cases reported between February 1 to 14, RCDHU reported 36 cases during the second half of the month (February 15 to 28), and an additional 13 cases so far in March. With this rise in case numbers, RCDHU will be moving into the Yellow-Protect Category of the COVID-19 response framework, effective Monday, March 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
March 4, 2021 – RCDHU is issuing an advisory for potential COVID-19 exposure
March 4, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) confirms over a dozen positive laboratory-confirmed cases of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Renfrew County that District (RCD) have been linked to a possible exposure. RCDHU is issuing an advisory after confirmation that individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 visited the following location: • The Prior Sports Bar & Restaurant (Arnprior): Wednesday, February 17, 2021, between 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight).
March 3, 2021 – RCDHU Reminder of Mandatory Masking Requirements
March 3, 2021 ‐ Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) would like to remind residents that the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is by staying home and avoiding close contact with others outside of your immediate household. However, if you do choose to go out, it is imperative that you maintain physical distance, wear a mask/face covering whenever physical distancing is a challenge, and practice proper hand hygiene.
February 28, 2021 – One individual at Centre scolaire catholique Jeanne-Lajoie, pavillon élémentaire tests positive for COVID-19
February 28, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) in collaboration with the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), is confirming that an individual at Centre scolaire catholique Jeanne-Lajoie pavillon élémentaire in Pembroke, has a positive laboratory-confirmed case of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). All students and staff who have been deemed to be a close contact of the positive case, have been given direction to remain at home to self-isolate and arrange for testing. The school remains open to in-person learning for all other students and staff.
February 26, 2021 – Concern in Arnprior and Area Over Rising Number of COVID-19 Cases
February 26, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is confirming that over the past week 9 individuals that reside in the Town of Arnprior and 5 individuals that reside in the Township of McNab/Braeside have tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). There are currently 37 high-risk contacts and 6 local businesses affected. Many of these cases attended the same social gathering, and several others are considered close contacts of those that attended the gathering.
February 26, 2021 – RCDHU Introduces New Text Notification System for COVID-19 Exposures
February 26, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is introducing a new text notification system to notify contacts of COVID-19 exposures. Renfrew County and District (RCD) residents may receive a standard text message from a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at RCDHU or a virtual assistant notifying them that they may have recently been exposed to COVID-19.
February 22, 2021 – Government Changes the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
February 22, 2021 ‐ Effective immediately, guidelines for the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool have changed across the province in accordance with provincial guidelines. The Ontario Government is adopting a more rigorous and cautious approach to the provincial screening criteria. This update to the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool has been made in light of the emergence of COVID-19 variants.
February 18, 2021 – Barry’s Bay Area: COVID-19 Hotspot in Renfrew County and District
February 18, 2021 ‐ Since January 1st, 2021, the Barry’s Bay area has had 27 cases of COVID-19 whereas the remainder of Renfrew County and District (RCD) has totalled only 47. This is 36% of all the cases, in an area with only 12% of the total population in RCD.
February 10, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Completed in Renfrew County and District Long-Term Care Homes
February 10, 2021 ‐ Today, Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is reporting good news for residents of Renfrew County and District (RCD) in the fight against COVID-19. All long-term care (LTC) residents in RCD who wanted a vaccine, have received one. To date, RCDHU in collaboration with partners have successfully completed COVID-19 vaccination clinics in all 10 LTC homes and provided first vaccinations to 908 people.
February 8, 2021 – Provincial Stay-at-Home Order in Renfrew County and District over end of day February 10, 2021
February 8, 2021 ‐ Today, the Ontario Government announced that Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), along with two other regions, will be moving back to the COVID-19 Response Framework at the Green-Prevent level on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. As of this date, RCDHU will no longer be subject to the Stay-at-Home order.