Continued Rise in COVID-19 Cases Demands Shift to Protect Students and Staff and Slow Community Spread.

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has made the difficult decision to move elementary and secondary schools to remote learning following the April break. This move has been made in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions.

To read more, please visit Ontario-moves-schools-to-remote-learning-following-spring-break

With the improvement in number and rate of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janet DeMille, is not extending the suspension of in-person learning that school boards in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities were directed to implement through her letter of instruction issued under regulations of the Reopening Ontario Act.

To read more, click on the TBDHU Media Release -School Reopening.

Starting Thursday, April 8, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced a Province Wide Stay Home Order to control the spread of COVID-19, that applies to the entire Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) catchment area. Individuals are being asked to stay home, unless it is for essential reasons.

To read more, click on the TBDHU Media Release - Provincewide Stay Home Order.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) will be in a shutdown, starting Saturday April 3, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., for at least 4 weeks as part of the Government of Ontario Province Wide Emergency Brake Shutdown that was announced today.
This Provincewide Shutdown means the TBDHU catchment area will experience time-limited public health and workplace safety measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to the general public health measures, there are some new and specific requirements that apply under the Province Wide Shutdown.  All measures are also detailed in Ontario Regulation 82/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 1, Schedules 1 to 5 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act.
The current COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open, will be paused when the provincewide emergency brake comes into effect. The impacts of these time-limited measures will be evaluated throughout the next four weeks to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if they need to be extended.
Visit the TBDHU Website for more information or contact TBDHU at (807) 625-5900 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630.

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is imposing a Provincewide Emergency Brake as a result of an alarming surge  in case numbers and COVID-19 hospitalizations across the province. The provincewide emergency brake will be effective Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. and the government intends to keep this in place for at least four weeks.

In many parts of northern Ontario, COVID-19 infection rates have been at some of the highest levels
since the pandemic began. COVID-19 activity is rising again across the province, and the rapid spread of
variants of concern (VOCs) is causing aggressive outbreaks, and in some cases, more severe illness, even
in younger people.

As we approach the Easter holiday and spring break, the northern Medical Officers of Health are asking
all community members in northern Ontario to work together to prevent another surge in COVID-19.

To read more, click on the TBDHU Media Release - Spring Break and Easter Message.

Due to the significant number of cases of COVID-19 in Thunder Bay, the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janet DeMille, is directing schools in the City of Thunder Bay and surrounding areas to extend the suspension of in-person learning until March 29, 2021. The need for further extension will be considered closer to that time. This direction was communicated to the school boards through a Letter of Instruction, issued under regulations of the Reopening of Ontario Act, 2020.

To read more, click on TBDHU Media Release -School Closures

DATE: March 8, 2021

THUNDER BAY & DISTRICT – Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health of The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) provided an update on the current COVID-19 Situation via video which can be seen on the TBDHU Facebook or YouTube pages.

LOCATION:

https://www.facebook.com/TBDHealthUnit/
or
https://youtu.be/FuxXSAEuUQE

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Rural and Northern Stream

 The Township of O’Connor was fortunate this year to receive funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure

Program (ICIP): Rural and Northern Stream. The funding will be used to replace the culverts on Sitch Road at Beaver Dam Creek in the Township of O’Connor.

The funding contributions are as follows: the Federal government will contribute 60% of the total costs, the Provincial government covering 33.33%, and the Township of O’Connor contributing 6.67%. The Township of O’Connor will be using funds from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to cover our share.

The "Blessing Box" is a community pantry operated by Giant Hearts. In tough times such as these, what better way to show your community that you care than by donating an item or two to the blessing box. The Blessing Box needs your donations more than ever now. The blessing box is being filled at least once a week, but could really use everyone’s help in keeping it stocked. If you are able to donate, please contact Shelley at 629-2851. It would really help our neighbours that are truly in need of getting food. We are looking for non-perishable foods to supply the box (canned veggies and fruit, peanut butter and cereals). Please take items if you are unable to get to the grocery store, but also try to give back when you’re able. We’re all in this situation together. Everyone is welcome to donate supplies and take items as needed. The Blessing Box can be found outside of the O’Connor Community Centre at 330 Highway 595.

THANK YOU! Thank you to the O'Connor Free Methodist Church for their generous donation towards the Blessing Box.  Their generous donation of funds will help to purchase supplies to support the residents of the O'Connor community.

PLEASE NOTE: As this is a community pantry, it is being used by many others. Please take full precautions as you would anywhere else. Wipe down and sanitize items as you take them. Sanitize your hands before and after using the box and wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.