COVID-19 Updates

Regional Chair extends appreciation to nurses and all healthcare staff in recognition of National Nurses Week

Whitby, Ontario – The following statement is being issued on behalf of John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham:

“May 11 to 17 is National Nurses Week. Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses provide integral service to our community each and every day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have relied on our nurses more than ever before. Our community extends our sincere gratitude to all our nurses working in public health...

Health Department works with community partners to conduct enhanced COVID-19 surveillance testing

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department and local community partners have been working hard to conduct enhanced COVID-19 surveillance testing in local long-term care homes. This testing is part of the provincial surveillance initiative to get a point-in-time picture of COVID-19 in these facilities. The province has set a deadline of May 15 for this enhanced testing to be completed.

Since May 5, paramedics from Region of Durham Paramedic Services have obtained 739 nasal swabs for testing...

Statement from Dr. Robert Kyle, Medical Officer of Health on Hillsdale Terraces

“Today, Durham Region Health Department declared the COVID-19 outbreak over at Hillsdale Terraces long-term care facility in Oshawa.

Hillsdale Terraces was one of the first homes in Ontario to declare a COVID-19 outbreak, on March 19. This outbreak unfortunately resulted in the death of 14 residents. Another 28 residents tested positive and have subsequently recovered. In addition, 13 employees tested positive with eight staff fully recovered and five more at home recovering.

Thank you to Hillsdale...

Businesses prepare to reopen; new site helps them source PPE

Whitby, Ontario – As Durham Region businesses prepare to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a need for personal protective equipment (PPE), as required by provincial guidelines.

To assist with this process, the Durham Economic Task Force has risen to the occasion; creating an online resource of local PPE options and outlining safety guidelines from the Province of Ontario.

The Safety and PPE web page provides options from local Durham manufacturers who either sell, or have pivoted to...

Online survey seeks feedback from local businesses on recovery efforts

Whitby, Ontario – The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is once again reaching out to local business owners—via a three-minute online survey—to learn more about the economic impacts of COVID-19 and help to shape local recovery efforts.

When: The COVID-19 Economic Recovery survey will be open until May 19, 2020.

Where: The survey is available here or by visiting investdurham.ca/CovidResponse.

Why: Survey results will be used to develop a made-in-Durham local business recovery plan; outlining considerations...