News Releases

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...

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,...