TORONTO, Ont. - It remains unclear when and if Ontario students will return to the classroom this year but the provincial government will be providing online learning options for families next September.
During a media briefing from Queen’s Park on Tuesday, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said the province will continue to follow the advice of Ontario’s top doctor when it comes to permitting students to return to schools.
“I know for so many people in the province, we want to get kids in school. But the fact of the matter is the chief medical officer of health’s advice hasn’t changed to the government,” Lecce said. “When we get updated advice, I assure parents and families, you will know it.”
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THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s vaccination rate dropped 14.6 per cent last week, as more vaccines were diverted to hot spots in southern Ontario.
The health unit’s weekly vaccination numbers, which include doses administered as of this past Saturday, show 7,179 doses were given out, 1,231 fewer than the week prior. A total of 5,660 people received their first dose, 2,219 fewer than the week before.
A total of 61,898 people have received their first dose, 45.1 per cent of the eligible population 16 and older. The district health unit and other agencies have given out 69,928 vaccines, meaning 8,020 people have received a second shot, 5,84 per cent of the eligible population.
Even more people will be able to register for COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario.
The provincial government says as of Monday, at 8am, anyone over the age of 18, who lives in one of the 114 hotspots, can now book provincially or through the local health unit.
This is due to an increased supply of vaccine to Ontario.
As of Thursday at 8am, it expands again to other groups in every community.
The government says registration opens to anyone over 50, or has a high-risk health condition, is someone who cannot work from home in Group One (including remaining elementary and secondary school teachers) or are First Nations, Inuit or Metis.
THUNDER BAY - The number of COVID-19 variants of concern in the district has increased to 40 following six new cases screening positive.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is reporting nine new cases on Monday, which includes new cases from Sunday as well.
All new cases are from Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, with five considered the result of close contact, two with no known exposure, and two still pending.
With 15 previous cases now considered resolved, the number of active cases has fallen to 48, which is the lowest it has been since Jan. 6 when it was also 48. The number of active cases has not dipped below 48 since Nov. 16.