COVID-19 Updates

Durham York Energy Centre receives Emergency Amendment to the Environmental Compliance Approval

Whitby, Ontario – In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Municipalities of Durham and York (the Regions) have received a temporary Emergency Amendment to the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) at the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) to process an additional 20,000 tonnes of garbage, for an annual total of 160,000 tonnes of garbage until December 31, 2020. The ECA for the DYEC currently allows the facility to process up to a maximum of 140,000 tonnes per year. The DYEC,...

Increased COVID-19 testing in Durham’s shelter system

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham is welcoming provincial direction to increase testing in priority populations, including homeless shelters and warming centres.

Durham Region Health Department is planning to increase testing at shelter locations, as it is important to assess the current COVID-19 status of this vulnerable population.

As the increased testing may result in an increase in active cases and possible declaration of outbreak at one or more shelter settings, it is important to identify...

Durham Region utilizes Camp Samac to support unsheltered residents during COVID-19

The Region of Durham is working with community partners to support the homeless shelter response and increase physical distancing within the shelter system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotel partnerships have been made to support unsheltered residents who need to isolate, transportation arrangements have been identified, and connections with the health care sector have strengthened. In addition, Scouts Canada is providing use of one of their private Camp Samac cabins in Oshawa to support individuals...

Region continues critical services; turns focus to recovery efforts

Whitby, Ontario – Navigating a pandemic is something that our community has never done before. Yet, since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, The Regional Municipality of Durham has taken several steps to help lessen the impact on residents and local businesses.

Working as one cohesive team, Regional departments have been assisting businesses, providing critical services, and ensuring needed support throughout our community. For residents, focus turned to the continuation of emergency and front-line...

Durham Health implements Ontario’s COVID-19 plan for protecting long-term care homes

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department is implementing the Ontario government’s COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes, to help address the increasing concerns of COVID-19 in area long-term care homes. This plan includes aggressive testing, screening and surveillance for COVID-19 for residents and staff in long-term care homes.

“Long-term care homes across Durham Region have been hit hard and have seen many tragic outcomes associated with the spread of COVID-19,” said...