RCDHU Reports on Health Promotion & Protection Efforts

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jason Morgenstern, has released an update to the Board on health promotion and protection efforts in Renfrew County. Updates included:

• RCDHU continues to monitor measles activity in Ontario. As of June 12, Ontario has reported 2038 measles cases from October to June related to this outbreak. The amjority of cases were among infants, children, and adolescents, 97% of whom were unvaccinated. RCDHU remains committed to monitoring the situation and to date, no further local cases have been identified since the two confirmed cases earlier this year.
• As of June 10, respiratory indicators have been trending down.  Local COVID-19, influenza, and RSV test percent positivity is low.
• Immunization program updates, including three MMR clinics for communities most affected by measles infections, and COVID-19 clinics at retirement homes across the County.
• Immunization program staff are partnering with licensed child care operators in RCD to commence immunization surveillance in alignment with the Child Care and Early Years Act.
• Tick dragging was completed at five pre-determined locations. Ticks were found at three of five locations.
• June marks the start of public beach testing across RCD.
• As of June 8, there have been 20 emergency department visits related to opioid overdoses.
• Healthy Babies, Health Children program is delivered by RCDHU staff and includes public health nurses, a home visitor, and social workers. This program is voluntary and is focused on supporting families in the prenatal period and families with children from birth to school age.
• In June, RCDHU launched Bump to Baby, a free online prenatal education program.

Click here to read the report in full.