COVID-19

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Responding to Omicron and Protecting Our Progress

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is introducing several measures that will strengthen the province’s proof of vaccination requirements and enhance public health measures. Together these actions will help reduce the risk of transmission during the winter months and further encourage every eligible Ontarian […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Extends Pause on Lifting Certain Capacity Limits

Ontario Extending Pause on Lifting Capacity Limits in Remaining Settings Where Proof of Vaccination is Required Cautious Approach Key to Protecting Our Progress as Province Learns More About the Omicron Variant TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending its pause on the lifting of […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Are You Eligible for a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

Certain groups are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot if at least six months have passed since their last dose. For questions about eligibility, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine or contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Are you eligible to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? You can […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Accelerating Booster Eligibility to Adults Aged 50+

Province Providing an Extra Layer of Protection Against COVID-19 and Variants TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is accelerating COVID-19 vaccine booster dose eligibility to Ontarians aged 50 and over and additional high-risk individuals, providing an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 […]

COVID-19

WECHU: Children 5-11 Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine as of Nov. 25

As announced on Friday, children 5 to 11 years of age are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (Comirnaty) vaccine in Canada. Locally, appointment slots at the Devonshire Mall mass vaccination clinic are now available with the first appointments taking place this Thursday morning. According to Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario to Pause the Lifting of Capacity Limits in Some Settings

Ontario Pausing the Lifting of Capacity Limits in Some Settings Where Proof of Vaccination is Required Province’s Cautious Approach Key to Protecting Our Progress TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is pausing the lifting of capacity limits in remaining higher-risk settings as […]

COVID-19

Health Unit Supports People Without A Health Card To Get Vaccine Receipt

News Release: Health Unit Supporting Individuals Without A Health Card To Obtain Vaccine Receipt With the enhanced vaccine certificate program in effect across Ontario, a number of Windsor-Essex residents need support to obtain their proof of vaccination. The Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Portal requires an individual to input their valid Ontario health card […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen and Manage COVID-19 Long-Term

Ontario Releases Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term Gradual, cautious approach to manage COVID-19 now and moving forward TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term, which […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate and Verification App Available October 15

Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate with QR Code and Verify Ontario App Available for Download Starting October 15 Ontario Making it Easier and More Convenient to Show Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination TORONTO — In advance of October 22, the Ontario government is making the enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Cautiously Lifting Capacity Limits in Select Settings

Public Health and Health Care Indicators Stable or Improving as Vaccination Rates Increase TORONTO — With public health and health care indicators remaining stable or improving, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select indoor and outdoor settings where proof […]

COVID-19

WECHU: Dr. Nesathurai Issues Instructions for Businesses and Organizations

Issue Date: October 4th, 2021 To: All Employers, Business Owners and Operators and Person(s) Responsible for organized gatherings in the region of Windsor-Essex, served by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Issued by: Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Given the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Recommends Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 18-24

TORONTO — Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement on COVID-19 vaccines for individuals aged 18-24 years old: “Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and significantly reduce the risk of infection and serious illness, including hospitalization. Out of an abundance of caution, […]

COVID-19

More Instructions from Health Unit for Sport and Recreation Facilities

Health Unit Issues Additional Instructions for Organized Sport and Recreation Facilities With the provincial vaccine verification system now in effect, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is enhancing these measures in all indoor recreational and fitness facilities to include those 12-17 years old. The fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in […]

COVID-19

Update: Ages 12-17 Need Proof of Vaccination at Town Facilities as of October 1

**Health Unit Issues Additional Instructions for Organized Sport and Recreation Facilities** As of September 22, 2021, in compliance with provincial law, patrons may only enter Town of Kingsville facilities upon providing identification and proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses plus 14 days). In keeping with the provincial mandate to mitigate […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Cautiously Easing Capacity Limits in Select Settings September 25

Effective September 25, with public health and health care indicators stable and proof of vaccination now in effect, Ontario is cautiously easing capacity limits for select indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required and certain outdoor settings, including: – meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention […]

COVID-19

Destination Vaccination Bus Heads to Seacliff Park on September 11

Attention Leamington! The Destination Vaccination bus will be making its way back to Seacliff Park on Saturday, September 11. All eligible individuals are welcome to get their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. #COVID19   #LetsGetBack For comprehensive information about COVID-19 vaccines including facts, myths, FAQs, vaccination statistics, and […]

COVID-19 Health

WECHU’s Instruction for Residents, Employers, Business Owners and Operators

At today’s YouTube Live broadcast at 9:30 a.m., Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed informed the community that additional instructions to control the spread of COVID-19 in our community would be implemented pursuant to Ontario Regulations 364/20, Rules for Areas at Step 3. Effective September 7 at 12:01 a.m., all Windsor-Essex […]

COVID-19 Education Health

School Reopening Recommendations from Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Nicole Dupuis, Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has issued the following recommendations concerning the reopening of schools: “Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Windsor and Essex County, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has strongly recommended to local school boards and private schools, […]

COVID-19 Health

City of Windsor and County of Essex Partner on WEVaxToWin Lottery

The City of Windsor and the County of Essex are partnering with some great local institutions to boost our region’s COVID-19 vaccination rate while supporting our local economy: together we’re launching WEVaxToWin.ca. Vaccines are universally believed to be the best defence against COVID-19, offering greater protection against severe illness and death […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Mandatory in High-Risk Settings

Province to Begin Offering Third Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines to Most Vulnerable Ontarians TORONTO — In response to evolving data around the transmissibility of the Delta variant and based on the recent experiences of other jurisdictions, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking action […]

COVID-19 Education

Greater Essex County District School Board’s COVID-19 Guidance FAQs

This direction will be re-evaluated regularly and, where required, updated based on public health advice throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Will staff and students need to provide proof of vaccination when they return to school?   The Ministry of Education has indicated that vaccinations will not be mandated for staff or students, but they are strongly recommended for all eligible […]

COVID-19 Town & County News

Mayor’s Message: Keep Vaccination Momentum Going to Prevent 4th Wave

Medical professionals across Windsor-Essex have penned an open letter, expressing concern about a potential 4th wave if vaccination numbers continue to plateau. Mayor Santos is urging Kingsville residents to keep the vaccine momentum going. “Let’s work together, let’s keep Kingsville beautiful, and let’s keep Windsor-Essex open.” Watch the full video. Read this news update on […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16

Continuing Improvements in Key Indicators Allowing Province to Safely Expand Indoor Settings and Capacity Limits TORONTO — With key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve and the provincewide vaccination rate surpassing the targets outlined in the province’s Roadmap to Reopen, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Moving to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen on June 30

Continuing Improvements in Key Indicators Allowing Province to Ease Additional Public Health Measures TORONTO — With key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve, the provincewide vaccination rate now surpassing the targets outlined in the province’s Roadmap to Reopen, and on the recommendation of the the Chief Medical […]

COVID-19 Health

WECHU Issues Statement Regarding Mixing and Matching Vaccines

Gary McNamara, Board Chair for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) issued the following statement on Wednesday, June 16, 2021: “The Board of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit fully supports federal, provincial and local public health unit recommendations regarding the mixing and matching of COVID-19 vaccines. “Mixing and matching of […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Releases Three-Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province

Province Safely Reopening Outdoor Recreational Amenities Prior to End of Stay-at-Home Order TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the […]

COVID-19 Ontario News Town & County News

Stay-at-home Order Extends in Windsor-Essex and Rest of Ontario Till June 2

Province Outlines Plans to Make Pfizer Vaccine Available to Youth Aged 12 to 17 TORONTO — With the new, more contagious variants continuing to pose significant risks, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended the Stay-at-Home Order (O. Reg. 265/21) until at least […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Windsor-Essex County a Hot Spot for COVID-19 Vaccine

Hot Spot Communities COVID-19  has disproportionately impacted certain neighbourhoods and communities across the province. These areas may have historical and ongoing high rates of COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and transmission. To target these areas, the following postal codes are: designated as hot spots receiving additional doses of vaccines People ages 18 […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Vaccination Bookings for 45+ in Hot Spots and Licensed Child Care Workers

Ontario Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Booking to Individuals 45 and Over in Hot Spot Communities Licensed Child Care Workers Across Ontario Eligible to Book Vaccine Appointments This Week TORONTO — The Ontario government is expanding booking for COVID-19 vaccination appointments to individuals 45 and over in designated hot spot communities in […]

COVID-19 Town & County News

What’s Open, What’s Closed in Kingsville Due to COVID-19 Restrictions

Provincial Shutdown & Stay at Home Order The Ontario government has imposed a provincewide shutdown and stay at home order that requires everyone to remain home except for specified purposes, such as: going to the grocery store or pharmacy accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated) outdoor exercise, or work […]

COVID-19 Ontario News

Ontario Expands Age Eligibility for AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to 40+

TORONTO — Today, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement to expand COVID-19 vaccination eligibility at pharmacies and primary care settings to individuals aged 40 and over: “Starting Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Ontario will offer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 40 and over at […]

COVID-19 Ontario News Town & County News

Ontario Adds New Protections for Schools to Keep Students and Staff Safe

Schools will remain open for in-person learning during four-week stay-at-home order as education workers become eligible for vaccines TORONTO — The Ontario government is introducing new measures to protect schools against COVID-19 which include refresher training, enhanced cleaning and asymptomatic testing. As these new measures are being introduced, the government […]

COVID-19 Ontario News Town & County News

Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

Additional measures needed to protect health system capacity and save lives during third wave of COVID-19 TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a third provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). […]

COVID-19 Ontario News Town & County News

Ontario Moving to Phase Two of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

Phase Two Supports Vaccine Rollout by Postal Code in “Hot Spot” Communities TORONTO — The Ontario government is moving into Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, with a focus on reaching individuals in “hot spot” communities where COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted certain neighbourhoods. In addition, this phase will prioritize […]

COVID-19 Ontario News Town & County News

Ontario Implements Emergency Brake Provincewide

All 34 Public Health Unit Regions to Move into Shutdown TORONTO —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 […]

COVID-19 Town & County News

Ontario Offering AstraZeneca Vaccine to Those 55+ Starting April 3

TORONTO — The Ontario government is steadily increasing capacity in its COVID-19 vaccine rollout with the addition of over 350 additional pharmacies and more primary care settings across the province. All of these locations will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and over, with some locations to begin offering […]

COVID-19 Town & County News

Ages 75+ in Windsor-Essex Can Book Vaccinations as of March 23

Yesterday, the Ontario government announced individuals born in 1946 and earlier will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine effective Monday, March 22. The current four local vaccination clinics will be prepared to welcome newly eligible seniors once they have booked an appointment through the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU)’s online booking system that […]