Health Canada approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
In a matter of weeks Canada is expected to receive nearly 250,000 doses of the vaccine in what is the first sign of a light at the end of the dark pandemic tunnel. Just yesterday Health Canada approved the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech paving the way for the biggest public inoculation campaign in the country’s history.
Scientists spent two months reviewing Pfizer’s clinical data before green-lighting the vaccine for use on Canadians. The United States is expected to announce today whether or not they will approve the vaccine.
The U.K. became the first country to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine to its residents. A 90-year-old woman in central England became the first person to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine of outside clinical trials.
Here in Niagara COVID-19 new cases continue to range between the low-20s to low-30s on a daily basis.
Province identifies first groups to receive COVID-19 vaccine
The Ontario government says it’s ready to distribute COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are received, beginning with vaccinating vulnerable populations and those who care for them. As recommended by the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the province has identified key populations to receive the vaccine first, including long-term care and retirement home residents and the staff who provide care to these groups.
Groups receiving the early vaccine doses in the first few months of the Ontario immunization program will include:
- Residents, staff, essential caregivers, and other employees of congregate living settings (e.g., long-term care homes and retirement homes) that provide care for seniors as they are at higher risk of infection and serious illness from COVID-19;
- Health care workers, including hospital employees, other staff who work or study in hospitals, and other health care personnel;
- Adults in Indigenous communities, including remote communities where risk of transmission is high; and
- Adult recipients of chronic home health care.
OPP clear 2016 CAO hiring of any wrong doing
The Ontario Provincial Police announced they have officially concluded their investigation into the hiring practices of the Region’s former CAO during last term of council and found that no crimes were committed and therefore no charges will be laid.
The Niagara Regional Police received the original complaint about the hiring but handed the investigation over to the OPP due to a conflict of interest. The OPP’s final report has been submitted to Niagara Regional Police.
Niagara Falls breaks ground on new culture hub and market
After several years of study and planning, the City of Niagara Falls announced this week that construction has commenced on the Niagara Falls Exchange. Construction hoarding has been erected around the development site, and the deteriorated Sylvia Place Market structure has been taken down to make way for this new community asset.
The city said the new culture hub and market will become a vibrant centre of activity in the community by providing shared spaces where artists, musicians, food vendors and patrons, and local businesses can come together. Located in the historic Main and Ferry district, the hub will include a large culture and market hall, café, artist studios, and creative workshop surrounded by two multi-functional civic plazas that interconnect the flanking streets. The Market Hall, which will house the regularly scheduled Farmers’ Market, will be a space for other events that include music, theatre, lectures and other weekend markets.
Niagara Health recognized for life-saving work
Niagara Health has been honoured for its commitment to helping improve organ and tissue donation in Ontario.
Trillium Gift of Life Network, which plans, promotes, coordinates and supports organ and tissue donation and transplantation across Ontario, recently presented Niagara Health with the Provincial Conversion Rate Award. The conversion rate calculates the number of potential organ donors who became actual organ donors. Over the past year, Niagara Health exceeded the target of a 63 per cent conversion rate set by TGLN, reaching 80 per cent. This is Niagara Health’s third year receiving the award.
More than 1,500 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant today in Ontario. This is their only treatment option, and every three days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue. Register or learn more about organ and tissue donation at www.BeADonor.ca
Niagara gets funding for Closed-Circuit Television systems
The Ontario government is investing $90,000.00 in 2020-21 in Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to help the Niagara Regional Police Service better detect, investigate and prevent criminal activity. The Ontario CCTV Grant, which was announced in August 2020, is providing police services with a total of $6 million over three years to expand CCTV systems in their communities and improve public safety.
“The Niagara Region has not been immune to the increase of gun violence that we have seen in other communities and we welcome this opportunity to work collaboratively with our partners at the City of St. Catharines and City of Niagara Falls to address these concerning incidents within our region. This additional funding from the Province of Ontario allows us to expand the existing network, making our community safer for both residents and visitors to Niagara.”
Police continue to investigate Niagara Halloween shooting
The investigation into the Halloween night shooting in a busy Niagara Falls tourism district continues. At the time of the incident there were approximately 100 members of the public in the immediate area of Centre Street and Ellen Avenue. Three victims were hit by bullets fired by one suspect. All three victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. All of the victims have since been released from hospital.
Detectives have determined that the shooting occurred due to a fight that escalated on the street. They believe two of the shooting victims were innocent bystanders, the third having been involved in the altercation with the suspect. The investigating detectives, with the assistance of detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service Forensic Services Unit, have determined at least 10 bullets were fired from a handgun. The handgun has not been recovered.
The suspect is described as:
Black male
20-30 years old
Slim build
Goatee and both ears pierced
The investigation remains on-going by Niagara Regional Police Service detectives. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or may have information about this crime is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, extension 1008422.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
