The LocalSKIM for Sunday, May 2

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  • Niagara Region doctor Mustafa Hirji believes the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine is ideal for shut-ins but the first shipment of the J&J vaccine has been put on hold by Health Canada. (St. Catharines Standard)
  • A small anti-lockdown rally was held in St. Catharines on Saturday. Niagara Regional Police are investigating and may lay charges as the protest contravened the provincial stay-at-home order. (Niagara this Week)
  • The drastic measures taken to fight the spread of COVID-19 has improved air pollution in urban areas. During lockdown periods, air pollution has declined by up to 45% in urban areas with improved air quality continuing even after lockdown measures were ended. (Thorold News)
Photo: Jack Moreh - Freerange Stock

More COVID-19 vaccination clinic dates available for booking

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  • Individuals 55+ years old in 2021, 45+ in 2021 with a postal code starting with ‘L2G’ or pregnant individuals, highest-risk individuals with health conditions, plus an essential caregiver can all book a COVID shot.
  • The following additional clinic dates have been added:
  • May 9-10 – Fort Erie, Leisureplex
  • May 15-16 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Community Centre
  • May 16-22 – Pelham, Meridian Community Centre
  • May 24, 25 & 28 – West Lincoln, West Lincoln Community Centre
  • May 29 – Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre
  • Clinic dates for Port Colborne at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre TBA
  • Residents can book an appointment at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Confused about who is eligible for the vaccine?

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COVID-19 update for Sunday May 2

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Anti-Lockdown rally held in St. Catharines on Saturday

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Photo: Google Maps

Regional Council makes progress on CAO recruitment

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  • The Niagara Region has hired an executive recruitment firm to help fill the vacant CAO position.
  • At last night’s Council meeting, councillors approved a position profile, job advertisement and core competencies for the CAO position.
  • The job advertisement will be posted shortly and candidates will be considered by the CAO Recruitment Committee.
  • The updated CAO hiring process incorporates numerous recommendations made by the Provincial Ombudsman that were designed to strengthen the integrity of the hiring process.

120 new COVID cases recorded April 30 in Niagara

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Anti-lockdown supporters plan protest at St. Catharines cenotaph

Local officials condemn location of Saturday’s rally
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Over 90,000 COVID vaccine doses given out at Seymour-Hannah Centre

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Photo: Vantage Point - Freerange Stock

Niagara Health makes changes to increase Critical Care capacity

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  • The number of ICU beds being filled by COVID-19 patients is at unprecedented levels and is anticipated to climb further.
  • In addition to COVID-19 patients, hospitals need to ensure capacity is available for non-COVID-19 patients requiring critical care.
  • Over the last week, Niagara Health has increased the number of physicians and staff working in the ICU department.
  • The next phase will involve enlarging the physical space for critical care services in St. Catharines to create more capacity for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. 
  • Niagara Health is currently caring for 82 COVID-19 patients including 24 in the ICU which has pushed ICU capacity to 108%.