Niagara’s COVID-19 update
As Niagara continues to remain in the Grey lockdown zone its COVID-19 positive cases continue to decline. Yesterday, there were just 14 new cases. Tuesday of this week also saw 14 new cases while Monday’s number was 23.
According to Niagara Region Public Health’s COVID stats website, St. Catharines continues to have the most active cases with 100 but that’s down from last Wednesday’s 175. Port Colborne and Wainfleet each have just three active cases.
Niagara Health resumes vaccinating healthcare workers
Yesterday, Niagara Health reopened its COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for high-risk healthcare workers at the Seymour Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre in St. Catharines. The larger clinic space will allow the hospital to immunize more than 1,000 people per day once they receive regular vaccine shipments.
The Niagara Health clinic will continue its work administering first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to long-term care and high-risk retirement home staff and essential caregivers, as well as hospital staff and physicians. At the same time, Niagara Region Public Health will continue its work deploying mobile teams to vaccinate residents at long-term care and high-risk retirement homes.
Between January 13 and 20, Niagara Health administered 2,417 first doses of the vaccine to highest-risk healthcare workers at its St. Catharines Site. This work resumes today at the St. Catharines arena, after global Pfizer supply issues caused the clinic to temporarily close. The Trudeau government has come under fire for failing to secure vaccines for Canada.
Niagara Health planed to vaccinate 500 people yesterday and another 500 people today. Following this initial launch, the clinic staff will then move to vaccinate 1,000 people per day and will stay at that level pending vaccine supply and provincial direction.
At this time, the new clinic will only be in use for highest-risk healthcare workers, and any future updates about mass immunization planning for the general public will be made available on Niagara Region Public Health’s website: www.niagararegion.ca/covid-vaccine.
COVID-19 variant identified in Hamilton
The UK variant of COVID-19 has been identified in a positive COVID-19 case in the city of Hamilton. Modelling and epidemiological studies suggest that the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom can spread easier and faster.
Hamilton Public Services continues to monitor the local situation as it relates to COVID-19 and the presence of variants within the community.
Detectives investigating shooting in Welland
On Feb. 15, at approximately 10 p.m., NRP officers attended the area of Lincoln Street and Prince Charles Drive, in Welland in response to a shooting.
Investigation revealed that a 22 year old male and a 24 year old male had been involved in an altercation during which, the 22 year old male shot the 24 year old male. Two days later police arrested the suspect, Montana Noonan of Welland. Noonan was charged with assault with a weapon.
Niagara Falls MP joins standing committee
Tony Baldinelli, the Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls and Special Advisor to the Conservative Leader on Tourism Recovery will also be serving on the House of Commons Standing Committee of Industry, Science and Technology.
The Industry, Science and Technology committee (INDU), studies and reports on legislation and the activities and spending of the members of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, and other issues related to industry and technology capability, scientific research and development, telecommunications policy, investment, trade, small business and tourism, and rules and services that support the effective operation of the marketplace.
The committee is currently undertaking a study on the Domestic Manufacturing Capacity for a COVID-19 Vaccine.
“I am very pleased to join this important committee and I look forward to working with my colleagues as we tackle critical issues in the areas of industry, science and technology,” said Baldinelli.
Ontario government to expand Greenbelt
The Ontario government has launched a 60-day consultation to grow the Greenbelt and help protect more of the province’s natural environment — including farmlands, forests, wetlands and watersheds — from future development. The consultations could result in the largest expansion of the greenbelt since its creation in 2005.
“This is truly a unique opportunity to grow the Greenbelt and protect Ontario’s environmental, groundwater and agricultural resources for future generations,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The Premier has been steadfast in his commitment to protect the Greenbelt and our government will not consider any proposals to remove or develop any part of it.”
