Ontario moves schools to remote learning following April break
On Monday, April 12, the Province announced that elementary and secondary schools will move 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. Child care for non-school-aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided. To protect the most vulnerable, school boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning. To learn more, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca.
Niagara Health postponing some surgeries starting April 12
Niagara Health is postponing some surgical cases beginning on Monday, April 12, amid extreme pressure on critical care capacity across the Province, which comes in response to direction from Ontario Health. All patients scheduled for a surgical procedure will be called directly by their care provider, to confirm whether they are proceeding or having their procedure deferred. Patients are encouraged not to call the hospital or their surgeon. To ensure patients across the province receive the life-saving care they need, hospitals in harder-hit areas of Ontario are transferring patients to hospitals with critical care capacity, which includes Niagara Health.
Niagara COVID-19 Business Impact Survey – Part 3
The Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team has launched a Business Impact Survey to help guide economic development programming and advocacy efforts to assist Niagara businesses through the COVID-19 recovery process. The survey contains 24 questions and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Respondents have until 4 p.m. on April 16, 2021 to complete the survey. Learn more here: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50100217/Niagara-Economic-Rapid-Response-Team-Business-Impact-Survey
Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines
With Ontario entering the Third Wave of COVID-19, getting your vaccine has never been more important. While each of the four vaccines have their differences, their result remains the same in protecting you against COVID-19. If you qualify, book your appointment to get your vaccine as soon as possible. These are the vaccine options broken down:
Pfizer or Moderna
- Requires two doses
- Contains mRNA code for the spike protein for the coronavirus
- Your body reads the code, produces the protein and then triggers your body to make antibodies
- Does not affect your bodies DNA
- 95% efficacy rate for Pfizer vaccine
- 94% efficacy rate for Moderna vaccine
- Both are 100% effective when preventing severe diseases
AstraZeneca
- Requires two doses
- Uses a viral vector to help your body produce antibodies
- The viral vector is an adenovirus that contains the spike protein as the other vaccines and it allows your immune system to produce the antibodies
- 76% efficacy rate in latest US trials
- 81% when spread out over 3 months between doses
- 100% effective against preventing serious disease
Janssen
- Requires one dose
- Uses a viral vector to help your body produce antibodies
- The viral vector is an adenovirus that contains the spike protein as the other vaccines and it allows your immune system to produce the antibodies
- 72% efficacy rate in latest US trials
- 85% effective against preventing serious disease
For more information, please visit: https://youtu.be/V4cyYvmU5Cc