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 2:10 PM EST on August 20, 2021​

• Globally: 211,230,394 total cases; 17,698,420 active cases; 4,423,571 deaths; 189,108z,403 resolved

• Canada: 1,462,906 total cases; 21,857 active cases; 26,783 deaths; 1,414,266 resolved

• Ontario: 558,101 total cases; 4,447 active cases; 9,450 deaths; 544,204 resolved

(Source)

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Press Conference Highlights: August 16 – 20, 2021

• Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, says the country is in its 4th wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely driven by variants and unvaccinated people.

• While Ontario has reached the milestone of more than 81 percent of Ontarians aged 12 and over having received a first dose, and is expected to reach its target of 75 percent vaccinated with a second dose later this month, out of an abundance of caution the government is pausing the exit from the Roadmap to Reopen.

• Starting on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Ontario is expanding eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to all youth who are turning 12 in 2021.

• The Ontario government is working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to plan and host vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to continue to fight COVID-19.

• The Ontario government has updated COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include offering third doses to select vulnerable populations.

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Canada wide updates:

• 83% of Canada’s total population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; 74% of Canada’s total population is fully vaccinated.

• The latest national surveillance data indicate that a fourth wave is underway in Canada and that cases are plotting along a strong resurgence trajectory.

• Nationally, as of August 20th, there are now over 21,857 active cases. On average, over 2,200 new cases are being report daily, with the majority of new cases reported amongst those who are unvaccinated.

• As of August 20th, on average 648 people with COVID-19 are being treated in Canadian hospitals each day, and increase of 22% compared to last week, and 262 people in intensive care units. The number of deaths remain low with an average of 5 deaths reported daily.

• On First Nations reserves, as of August 19 Indigenous Services Canada is aware of 33,882 confirmed positive COVID-19, 493 active cases, 1,621 hospitalizations, 33,004 recovered cases, and 385 deaths.

Ontario specific updates:

• On August 20th Ontario reported 650 new COVID-19 cases, 4,447 active cases, 197 hospitalizations, 135 in ICU on ventilators, and 2 new deaths.

• The seven-day average of daily reported cases is at 518 as of August 20th.  

• 81.96% of the eligible population (12+) in Ontario has received at least one dose.

• 74.4% of the eligible population (12+) in Ontario have received at least two doses.

• While the province has reached the milestone of more than 81 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 and over having received a first dose, and is expected to reach its target of 75 per cent vaccinated with a second dose later this month, out of an abundance of caution the government  is pausing the exit from the Roadmap to Reopen.

• The Ontario government has updated COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include offering third doses to select vulnerable populations that include: Transplant recipients, patients with hematological cancers on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders, recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab), and residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges.

•  A third dose will help to provide individuals in these groups with an improved immune response. Individuals in these groups can receive their third dose at a minimum of eight weeks following their second dose and will be contacted by their health care provider such as their primary care provider, specialist, or their hospital specialty program. Locations and timing for third doses may vary by public health unit based on local considerations, with some beginning as early as this week where opportunities exist.

• The Ontario government is working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to plan and host vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to continue to fight COVID-19. Clinics are expected to run before school starts and during the first few weeks of school.

• Starting on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, the province is expanding eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to all youth who are turning 12 in 2021, based on the most currently available empirical evidence.

• The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a directive mandating hospitals and home and community care service providers to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees, staff, contractors, students and volunteers, and for ambulance services to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for paramedics. The vaccination policy must be effective no later than September 7, 2021, and at a minimum will require these individuals to provide proof of one of three things: Full vaccination against COVID-19; A medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19; or completion of a COVID-19 vaccination educational session.

• Individuals who do not provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will be required to undertake regular antigen testing. These settings will be required to track and report on the implementation of their policies to the provincial government.

• Vaccination policies will also be implemented in other higher-risk settings such as: Post-secondary institutions; Licensed retirement homes; Women’s shelters; and congregate group homes and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, children’s treatment centres and other services for children with special needs, and licensed children’s residential settings.  

COVID-19 Related Press Releases August 16 – 20, 2021

Provincial:

• Ontario Working with Public Health Units to Run COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Schools. August 16, 2021

• Ontario’s Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility. August 17, 2021

• Ontario Makes COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Mandatory for High-Risk Settings. August 17, 2021

Federal:

• Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on August 20, 2021. August 20, 2021

Additional Resources

• ONWA COVID-19 Resource Page

• Ontario Vaccine Booking System. Vaccines are also available through your local pharmacy.

• List of urban Indigenous, community led vaccination clinics.

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

• Ontario COVID-19 Data Tool | Public Health Ontario

• Take a COVID-19 self-assessment if you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19.

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

• An interactive map of COVID-19 cases across Canada

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

• Up-to-date information on vaccine rollout and how to book appointment

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

• Download the COVID Alert App.

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

• Continue practicing public health measures to keep ourselves, families, and communities safe.

• 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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