Board of Health Aug 11 Meeting Summary
Written by Communications, August 13, 2021
Announcing New Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health
The Board of Health for Peterborough Public Health confirmed Dr. Thomas Piggott as the area’s new Medical Officer of Health starting December 1, 2021. Dr. Thomas Piggott comes to the role of MOH/CEO of Peterborough Public Health with experience working at various levels of public health in Canada and Internationally. Most recently, Dr. Piggott has been Medical Officer of Health and VP lead for Population Health and Rural and Remote Health in the northern region of Labrador-Grenfell Health. Further details are available here. The Board of Health has also confirmed coverage for the period between Dr. Rosana Salvaterra’s departure in late September and Dr. Piggott’s arrival on December 1. Dr. Ian Gemmill, former Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Kingston-Frontenac-Lennox-Addington Public Health will provide medical direction to PPH, and Larry Stinson will serve as interim CEO. In addition, Donna Churipuy will serve as Incident Commander for the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity in PPH’s emergency response.
COVID-19 Update
Donna Churipuy, Operations Lead for the PPH COVID-19 Response, shared the latest data about the local pandemic situation. Cases and high-risk contacts numbers continue to be low, but this trend is expected to change to increasing cases in the fall. Approximately 90% of all new cases across the province are the Delta variant. Local cases tend to be among those under 29 years, however there are also cases in the 50-59 year-old age group, which is also a group with lower vaccination rates. As of August 8, the local case incidence rate was 10.8 per 100,000 as compared to the provincial rate of 18 per 100,000. Currently 79.9% of local eligible residents 12+ have their first dose, and 71.6% have both doses. Targeted strategies to vaccinate local residents in the county and among those age groups with lower rates are showing a positive effect, especially among youth aged 12-17. Upcoming clinics will all be walk-ins in pop-up clinics throughout the region, this schedule is regularly updated on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/walkin. The provincial appointment booking system will discontinue for clinics in Peterborough on August 19. Of all 45 COVID-19 cases reported locally in July, 64.4% were in those who were unvaccinated, 24.4% were in partially vaccinated residents; there were no cases among those who were fully vaccinated. Several incentives are actively being promoted to encourage vaccination, including the “Get a Shot to Take a Shot” campaign to win free tickets to an upcoming Petes game, and a draw to win $50 DBIA gift cards. PPH is also planning clinics in local schools once the academic year gets underway.
Next meeting:
The Board of Health will gather again in accordance to current public health guidelines on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 6:15 p.m. in the Hiawatha LIFE and Cultural Centre at 431 Hiawatha Line, Hiawatha First Nation.
A list of Board of Health meeting dates and locations can be found here.