FORT FRANCES, Ont. — The first Moderna vaccines for COVID-19 were administered Wednesday to long-term care home residents in the District of Rainy River.
Among the recipients were 88-year-old Noreen Robertson and 94-year-old Delsie Cumming, who both live in the Rainycrest Long-Term Care home in Fort Frances.
As part of Phase One of Ontario's three-phase vaccination program, Riverside's LTC residents who have completed consent forms began receiving their shots Wednesday morning.
Residents at Emo Health Centre and Rainy River Health Centre will get the vaccination on Thursday.
In a news release, Riverside said it has only a limited quantity of vaccine, meaning that not all residents will be immunized at this time.
It said it expects to receive another shipment of vaccine next week, and plans to begin vaccinating long-term care staff shortly after.
COVID-19 funding announced for Kenora-Rainy River long-term care homes
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford has announced over half a million dollars in additional funding for long-term care homes in the riding to increase prevention and containment efforts in the second wave of COVID-19.
Rickford said the money will reduce the risk of the virus from entering LTC homes by covering expenses related to:
- an immediate 24/7 health checkpoint to confirm staff and caregivers are properly screened, and to continue screening residents
- additional prevention and containment activities including new staff to perform essential services or to replace workers who are in isolation
- cleaning, equipment and operating supplies
- implementing infection control measures
The funds are dispersed as follows:
- $167,000 to Birchwood Terrace, bringing the total support since the start of the pandemic to $643,000
- $200,000 to Pinecrest (Kenora), bringing the total support since the start of the pandemic to $592,000
- $115,000 to Princess Court, bringing the total support since the start of the pandemic to $410,000
- $55,000 to Rainycrest, bringing the total support since the start of the pandemic to $503,000
Northwestern Health Unit announces two new COVID-19 cases
The Northwestern Health Unit has announced one new positive COVID-19 test result in the Kenora region, and one positive test result from the Sioux Lookout region.
The Sioux Lookout case involves a person who has a permanent residence outside the NWHU service area, but is currently in the catchment area.
NWHU said it conducts contact tracing and monitoring of self-isolation for all cases within the region, including anyone who is there temporarily or not currently identified as a permanent resident.
Anyone who is identified as a contact for these cases is contacted directly.
There are currently 16 active COVID-19 cases in the Northwestern Health Unit's jurisdiction, including seven in the Dryden/Red Lake area, six in Kenora area, three in Red Lake area, as well as the new case in the Sioux Lookout area which is not included in the NWHU's case count.
