COVID-19

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Vaccination Helpline

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

Call: 807-697-1753

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Email: vaccine@onwa.ca

Helpline open: Monday to Friday between 10:00AM – 2:00 PM

Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination plan

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

Safe and effective vaccines will help protect us against COVID-19. Learn about them and when they will be available in Ontario for you and your family.

Mindimooyenh Vaccination Clinic

IN THUNDER BAY

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) in partnership with Dilico Anishinnabek Family Care and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, created an urban Indigenous COVID-19 vaccine clinic located in Thunder Bay. The Mindimooyenh Vaccination Clinic held weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics open to ALL Indigenous adults and their families sharing the same household. Prioritization was given to those 55+.

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“Mindimooyenh” literally means “one who holds things together” in Ojibwe. It is a term that embodies Indigenous women’s responsibilities, recognizing the pivotal role and hard-earned wisdom (regarding life’s passages, such as contending with sickness and disease) that they exercised within their families and communities.

I am honoured to have witnessed the determination of the Indigenous community and our hardworking dedicated staff who worked two jobs to support the Mindimooyenh clinic week after week. Their commitment to saving lives while bringing the comfort of our culture to the community during this difficult, stressful time was outstanding. Against the backdrop of a colonial system determined to dictate their wants and needs we stood our ground on the frontline providing solutions by Indigenous people for Indigenous people. We have so much to be proud of in the crucial work achieved behind the countless masks, PPE and important safety guidelines.

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Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director (ONWA)

My daughter is thrilled to have received her first vaccine and I don’t think that I could have asked for a more kind and pleasant experience than what we received. It might sound weird to say that we’re looking forward to coming to get our second doses but I’m pretty sure we’ll be happily heading there in a few weeks to see all the faces that I know were smiling behind those masks.

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A young mother shared about her experience at the clinic.

COVID-19 Update  

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Reported COVID-19 Numbers as of 2:30 PM EST on April 16th, 2021​

• Globally: 140,271,965 total cases; 18,075,319 active cases; 3,006,199 deaths; 119,121,385 resolved

• USA: 32,256,982 total cases; 6,904,798 active cases; 579,349 deaths; 24,772,835 resolved

• Canada: 1,103,210 total cases; 84,572 active cases; 23,533 deaths; 994,937 resolved

• Ontario: 408,383 total cases; 39,977 active cases; 7,664 deaths; 360,742 resolved

(Source)

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Press Conference Highlights: April 12th to April 16th, 2021

• Highly transmissible variants of concern are driving a third wave of COVID-19 across Canada, with more young people experiencing adverse reactions.

• All schools in Ontario are closed indefinitely; remote learning in effect for all students.

• Ontario’s number of daily COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and cases in ICU have steadily increased this week, creating intense pressure on hospital capacity across the province.

• Ontario’s online vaccination booking system is available to all individuals aged 60+ in Ontario.

• In identified hot spots, individuals aged 18+ are eligible at mobile and pop-up clinics – these individuals cannot book through the online booking system.

• In addition to mobile and pop-up clinics, individuals aged 50+ are also eligible at mass vaccination clinics in identified hot spots, which can be booked through the online booking system.

• Individuals aged 55+ can book their appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine at certain pharmacies in Ontario. Following a review, Health Canada is not restricting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in any specific populations at this time.

• For Indigenous individuals and families in Thunder Bay, please visit ONWA’s website for information about the Mindimooyenh Vaccination Clinic.

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Canada wide updates:

• As of April 15th, national-level data shows a 7-day average of over 8,600 new cases reported daily, with a 3.8% test positivity rate.

• During the same time, the number of people experiencing severe and critical illness continues to rise; on average over 3,400 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day, including almost 1,050 people being treated in intensive care units, representing a 34% and 22% increase, respectively, compared to the prior week.

• Canada is now starting to see an increase in average mortality rate – with a 7 day average of 44 deaths per day, which is 38% higher than the week prior.

• On First Nations reserves, as of April 15th, Indigenous Services Canada is aware of: 25,923 confirmed positive COVID-19; 643 active cases; 24,978 recovered cases, and 302 deaths. As of April 15th, 297,461 vaccine doses have been administered, 78,242 of which are second doses.

• Variants of concern are driving a third wave of COVID-19 across Canada, particularly B.1.1.7 (UK).​

• As of April 16th, 7,290,869 people (19.2% of the population) have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 809,618 people (2.13% of the population) have received two doses.

• After a thorough, independent assessment of the currently available scientific data, Health Canada has concluded that blood clotting is a very rare event that may be linked to use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Based on the review of available data from Europe and from the United Kingdom and AstraZeneca, no specific risk factors have been identified. Therefore, Health Canada is not restricting the use of the vaccine in any specific populations at this time.

• Recent delays in Moderna’s manufacturing capacity are causing interruptions to Canada’s expected vaccine shipment schedule. As a result, the country will only be receiving roughly 650,000 doses of the more than 1.2 million expected doses by the end of April.

• This week, Canada signed a new agreement with Pfizer for an additional 8 million doses, with 4 million of those doses expected to arrive in May, 2 million in June, and 2 million in July. In total, Canada will receive 8 million doses of Pfizer in May and 12 million doses in June.

• Canada will also continue to receive shipments of vaccine doses from AstraZeneca, and is expecting to receive 300,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine during the last week of April.

Ontario specific updates:

• As of April 16th, the 7-day average of daily cases is 4,292 – the highest on record since the pandemic started. Test positivity is currently at 8.2%. Ontario has the highest rates of COVID-19 in Canada.

• As of April 16th, there are 1,955 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 701 patients in the ICU. Of those, 480 are on a ventilator. These are all record-breaking numbers.

• 69% of new cases in Ontario are variants of concern, 99% of which are the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant. However, cases with the P.1 (Brazilian) variant of concern are starting to increase.

• As of April 16th, 3,644,038 doses of a vaccine have been administered in Ontario, with 341,933 people fully vaccinated.

• Ontario hospitals are ramping down elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures to ensure they have capacity to treat more COVID-19 patients. Hospitals in Northern Ontario are exempt from cancelling non-urgent procedures.

• All schools across the province are indefinitely transitioning to remote learning after the April break.

• As a result of schools closing, the Ontario government is providing eligible critical front-line workers with free emergency child care for school-aged children, which is inclusive of grocery store and pharmacy workers. A complete eligibility list can be found here.

• Ontario is supporting hot spot regions, identified by postal code, to hold mass vaccinations clinics open to adults aged 50 and over; and mobile and pop-up vaccination clinics, open to all individuals aged 18 and over. Upcoming mobile and pop-up clinics will be promoted locally by community partners and public health units. Appointments at these clinics are NOT available through Ontario’s online vaccination booking system.

• Ontario’s newest modelling projections show that without stronger system-level measures and immediate support for essential workers and high-risk communities, high case rates will persist throughout the summer.

• Ontario introduced new legislation, Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act. If passed, the act will help more individuals, families, and small businesses recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and prepare them for future opportunities.

• On April 16th, the Ontario government released a number of new COVID-19 restrictions in an attempt to slow the increasingly concerning spread of the virus. The new restrictions are as follows:

  • Effective immediately, the stay at home order and emergency declaration are extended an additional 2 weeks, for a total of 6 weeks.

  • All retailers, including big box retailers like Walmart, are limited to 25% capacity.

  • All outdoor gatherings are restricted to members of the same household only; if you are a single person household you may join one other household.

  • Outdoor recreational amenities (golf courses, soccer fields, playgrounds etc.) are restricted.

  • Police have the temporary authority to stop anyone not in a household residence, including while driving, at any time, and ask them why they are not at home and where their residence is. If you refuse to comply, you are breaking the law and may be subject to a $750 fine.

  • Police and bylaw officers have special authorities for the duration of the stay-at-home order to strictly enforce the stay-at-home order and public health orders.

  • Interprovincial border travel between Manitoba and Quebec is restricted to essential reasons only, such as work, transportation of goods, and healthcare. Checkpoints will be established at all interprovincial borders and people may be turned away entry to Ontario.

  • All non-essential construction work is closed.

  • Identified hot spots will receive an increased allotment of 25% of Ontario’s vaccine supply.

  • Places of worship, weddings, and funerals are capped at a max of 10 people.  

COVID-19 Related Press Releases April 12th to April 16th, 2021

Provincial:

• Ontario Moves Schools to Remote Learning Following Spring Break. April 12, 2021

• Ontario's COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Targets High-Risk Neighbourhoods. April 13, 2021

• Ontario Provides Emergency Child Care for Critical Frontline Workers. April 15, 2021

• Ontario Supporting the Non-Profit Sector during COVID-19. April 15, 2021

• Ontario Supporting Business Investment and Prosperity during COVID-19. April 15, 2021

Federal:

• Canada and Ontario invest in school infrastructure to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. April 14, 2021

• Health Canada provides update on safety review of AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines. April 14, 2021

Additional Resources

• Click here for information for First Nations and Inuit communities in preparing for, monitoring and responding to COVID-19.

• Take a COVID-19 self-assessment if you or someone you know was exposed to COVID-19, or if you have symptoms. You will receive directions on what to do next.

• ONWA COVID-19 Resource Page

• Daily updates for COVID-19 in Ontario and in Canada

• COVID-19 response framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open

• Find out about the latest public health measures, advice, and restrictions in your color zone here.

• Even as doses of vaccine are administered, it is critical to continue practicing public health measures to keep ourselves, families, and communities safe.

• Learn about Ontario’s Vaccine Strategy, including vaccine safety.

• Additional information about vaccine safety, concerns and possible side effects

• Download the COVID Alert App.

• COVID-19: Support for People has information about the many available/free mental health services and supports.

• Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free, and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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