Peterborough health unit offers to cover wastewater surveillance costs after Ontario ends program

Published by: Global News
Published on: June 14, 2024
By Greg Davis

Two weeks after the Ontario government announced it would scrap its wastewater surveillance to monitor COVID-19, health officials in Peterborough may pay to keep the program running locally.

The $15-million program was launched in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in monitoring the level of COVID-19 in a population. Funded by the Ministry of the Environment, the program is run by universities and research sites across the province.

The program is expected to end on July 31, coming on the heels of an expanded federal testing program. The province says the shutdown will “avoid duplication” with the federal program.

However, Peterborough Public Health’s medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott says the federal program won’t reach the city and area. He called the province’s decision “deeply disappointing.”

“Peterborough would be left out. We know that the data here does not follow the same pattern as Toronto or Ottawa, we’re halfway between,” Piggott said Thursday. “And we have a very different pattern of transmission.”

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Ontario

Radio | Peterborough Medical Officer of Health frustrated with the province’s decision to pullback on waste water monitoring

Published June 5, 2024

Published by: CBC Radio / Ontario Morning with Ramraajh Sharvendiran
Published on: June 5, 2024

Medical officer of health for Peterborough Public Health, Dr. Thomas Piggott talks with host Molly Thomas about why he believes we shouldn’t drop wastewater testing for diseases — even if COVID-19 is not the same threat it was when the program was rolled out.

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Ontario

“Short-sighted and dangerous” – Public Health Ontario Lab workers are sounding the alarm about potential lab closures

Published April 17, 2024

Published by: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)
Published on: April 17, 2024

TORONTO, April 17, 2024 – OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and members working at Public Health Ontario (PHO) Labs were at Queen’s Park today to sound the alarm about the potential closure of six (6) out of 11 PHO labs in Ontario, and the risk it poses for all Ontarians – especially rural families and communities.

“If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that public health should never be taken for granted,” said Hornick. “Like many choices made by this government, if Premier Ford decides to shutter the doors of these 6 labs it will be short-sighted and dangerous.”

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Ontario

COVID-19: Peterborough risk index still high as 1 death, 11 active outbreaks reported

Published November 29, 2023

Published by: Global News
Published on: November 29, 2023
By Greg Davis

For the fifth consecutive week, the community risk index for COVID-19 for the Peterborough, Ont., region remains at a high level, public health officials report.

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Ontario

COVID-19: Peterborough area risk index remains high; 2 outbreaks at PRHC

Published November 23, 2023

Published by: Global News
Published on: November 23, 2023
By Greg Davis

For the fourth week in a row, the community risk index for COVID-19 for the Peterborough, Ont., region remains at a high level, public health officials report.

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Ontario

COVID-19: Risk index at high for Peterborough area, 3 new hospitalized cases

Published November 1, 2023

Published by: Global News
Published on: November 1, 2023
By Greg Davis

After two straight weeks at a moderate level, Peterborough Public Health raised the community risk index for COVID-19 for the region to a high level on Wednesday afternoon.

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Tag: Peterborough