BOH March 10 Meeting Summary
Written by Communications, March 15, 2021
Board of Health Membership
Provincial appointee Andy Sharpe’s term on the board has expired. Board of Health members commended him for his extensive service on the board and pivotal role leading past initiatives as a former board chair, including playing a key role in relocating Peterborough Public Health from its Hospital Drive location to Jackson Square in 2015.
Auditor Engagement
An annual audit by external auditors is required by legislation and under Board Policy 2-130. Audit expenses are part of the approved budget. The board authorized the Chair and Vice-Chair to sign the Letter of Engagement to engage the audit services of Baker Tilly Kawarthas LLP, formerly Collins Barrow
Chartered Accountants LLP.
COVID-19 Update
Most new cases being reported are variants of concern (VOC), which appears to indicate that VOCs are the predominant strain circulating locally. Those already identified as high-risk contacts continue to be the main source of new cases, reflecting the strong work of PPH’s contact tracing team. Containing the local outbreaks at Severn Court and Champlain College at Trent University remains an active focus of PPH’s contact and case management team. At 52 cases to date Severn Court is the largest local outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic. The outbreak at Regency of Lakefield Retirement Home is stable, and PPH will be going into the home tomorrow (March 11) to vaccinate staff and residents.
The Ontario government announced March 5 it is ready to roll out Phase 2 of its provincial vaccination plan. The Ministry of Health expects to release detailed guidance documents soon to local public health agencies. Local clinics for adults 80+ begin next week both in the City and County of Peterborough (starting in Norwood). The provincial COVax booking system launches March 15 for eligible residents, enabling them to book appointments both online or by phone.
Other groups eligible to receive vaccine in Phase 2 includes high-risk congregate settings, individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers, and those who cannot work from home. On March 5, the Chief Medical Officer of Health sent a memo that all Ontarians (with some exceptions) can move to a four-month interval between doses, enabling more people to receive their first dose in the coming months. With Health Canada’s approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine, adults aged 60-64 years can be vaccinated as part of Phase 2 (AstraZeneca is not recommended for adults over 65 years or for those with high-risk conditions). Peterborough’s primary care providers (e.g. physicians and Nurse Practitioners) are part of a provincial pilot to roll out AstraZeneca vaccine within their practices. Participating healthcare providers will reach out to their eligible patients to invite them in for vaccinations. The Ministry has provided vaccine shipment projections for Moderna and Pfizer over the next two and four weeks respectively, providing longer sight lines for vaccine supply to support clinic planning. PPH staff completed second doses among all local long-term care residents, resulting in a 90% uptake rate. Phase 1 vaccination clinics are well underway for the local Indigenous population, as well as for local healthcare workers, and for staff and residents in area retirement homes and seniors’ congregate living settings. It is expected that eventually 20% of local vaccinations will be delivered by pharmacies. None are doing so yet, but once the provincial pharmacy pilot is completed, vaccine supplies will open up to pharmacies in other regions.
2020 Financial Statements
In 2020, of the $10,481,171 total budget, 66% was spent on mandatory public health programs, and 34% was spent on the COVID-19 response. Detailed expenses and off-setting provincial funding can be found on pages 57-61 in the March 10, 2021 Board of Health meeting package.
Next meeting:
The Board of Health meets next virtually on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please click here for a list of Board of Health meeting dates and location details.