Niagara’s COVID situation
Yesterday’s 89 new active cases in Niagara was the lowest number since Jan. 5 when the region recorded 86 cases. But in general, it continues to be a difficult time containing the spread of COVID-19 in Niagara. The past week has seen Niagara average 130 new cases per day. In all, there are 1669 active cases.
Niagara Region Public Health says that St. Catharines has by far the most active cases with 651, nearly double that of second place Niagara Falls which has 344 followed by Welland with 149.
Active cases per 10,000 people shows that Niagara-on-the-Lake leads with 50.4 active cases per 10,000 population followed by St. Catharines at 45.4 and Thorold at 34.4. Yesterday saw Niagara administer 582 vaccinations, the highest one-day number so far. In all, 2441 vaccinations have been administered in Niagara including 25 long-term care facilities that have between 80 and 100 per cent of their residents vaccinated.
One outbreak over, one outbreak begins
A COVID-19 outbreak on the Trillium Unit at Niagara Health’s Niagara Falls Site has been resolved. The outbreak came to an end after 14 days of enhanced monitoring of patients and staff showed there had been no evidence of further transmission and no new additional COVID-19 cases on the unit. The outbreak had been declared on Dec. 16.
While one outbreak was declared over, another began. A COVID-19 outbreak was declared on C Ward of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital this week, a Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) site, after two patients and two staff have tested positive.
The two patients have been transferred to COVID-19 units at the Hamilton General Hospital and the Juravinski Hospital. The two staff remain in self-isolation. HHS Infection Prevention and Control and Employee Health Services are working with Niagara Public Health to identify and inform individuals who may be contacts. C Ward is closed to new admissions and visitors. However, visitors can be permitted on compassionate grounds.
St. Catharines councillor broke several sections of code of conduct
Councillor Karrie Porter was found guilty by the city’s Integrity Commissioner of breaking several sections of the Code of Conduct. Porter was relentlessly harassed by a constituent last year and she confronted the man she believed to be responsible. It turned out that it wasn’t him.
According to Integrity Commissioner John Mascarin, Councillor Porter did not make every effort to act in good faith and good care. Her actions constituted bullying, he said, and she insulted the complainant. Porter said she accepted the report and apologized at this week’s council meeting.
“In my haste to stop the harassment, and to seek accountability from the individual and those who are providing an ongoing platform for abuse from someone who has a fixation and an unhealthy hatred toward me, I made an error,” she said.
Brock chemist partners with Niagara pharma company for COVID-19 prevention and treatment
Brock University professor of Chemistry Travis Dudding is researching how a flavonoid called quercetin can be used in medicines produced by Biolyse Pharma Corporation, a St. Catharines-based pharmaceutical company. They’ve joined forces to produce a natural remedy aimed at preventing and treating COVID-19.
Flavinoids are naturally occurring chemicals found in most fruits, vegetables, tea and wine. Quercetin has been associated with several health benefits, including the reduction of risk for heart disease, cancer and degenerative brain disorders, among others.
Research in several countries has shown encouraging results for the use of quercetin in the fight against COVID-19 transmission and infection. Quercetin is believed to be able to block a certain protein from attaching to an enzyme that invades cells with coronavirus.
Two females found dead in Fort Erie
Niagara Regional Police are investigating a double homicide after officers found two women dead inside a Fort Erie home. Officers responded to a report of a possible disturbance involving a firearm at a residence on the Niagara Parkway around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
When police entered the home, they found the women dead. Detectives from the homicide unit and forensic services unit are investigating.
Const. Phil Gavin stated, “There’s a suspect they’re trying to identify and work toward.” He added that the relationship of the victims, where they lived and how they know each other is part of the investigation.
Blue Jays hit home run with huge free-agent signing
The Toronto Blue Jays made a significant splash this week by signing one of the most sought after free-agents in Major League Baseball. The Jays signed outfielder George Springer to a $150-million, six-year deal (pending a physical).
The agreement is the richest in Blue Jays history. It’s more than the $126-million, seven-year deal that was given to Vernon Wells in 2006, and is by far the franchise’s deepest free-agency signing, almost doubling the $82-million, five-year deal for former Jays catcher Russell Martin in 2014.
Assuming that Springer’s salary is spread evenly at $25 million a year, the Blue Jays now have just under $100 million committed to 12 players for the upcoming season. With room left in their budget, baseball insiders are predicting more moves from Canada’s team.
United States officially has a new President
President-elect Joe Biden officially became President Joe Biden yesterday as the long-time politician and now oldest President in U.S. history was sworn into office at Inauguration 2021.
With massive security surrounding the ceremony site, including 25,000 National Guard troops, the 46th President and his vice-president Kamala Harris took the oath of office in front of a very sparse crowed due to the pandemic.
Former president Donald Trump left for Florida and did not attend the inauguration.
