Staff shortages not affecting Uxbridge stores and services
by Justyne Edgell & Roger Varley
While staffing shortages are reportedly affecting everything from education to healthcare to retail businesses throughout the province, Uxbridge appears to be weathering the latest COVID-19 surge well.
The Cosmos asked a few of the larger local stores how they were faring, as well as some of the various healthcare providers in the township.
Zehrs reported that it had no serious staff shortages, noting that “it’s basically the same situation as every other day.”
Pat Higgins of Canadian Tire said he usually has someone calling in sick every day and he has to manage the staff day by day. He noted that he’s “never seen anything like this” and suggested that if the current surge peaks higher, his store might have to look at changing its hours of operations. He added, however, that “I’m not saying this is going to happen.”
Uxbridge Health Centre said it isn’t experiencing any staffing problems.
Uxbridge Hospital chief of staff, Dr. Carlye Jensen, said current volumes are “stable and manageable,” and that this is “in large part due to our high vaccination rates.
“The biggest risk is a staffing one. So far, we’ve been fortunate that not too many physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals, as well as other staff who work in the hospital, have been off on sick leave. That’s been one of the major issues at the other hospitals in the GTA, where anywhere from 5 – 20 per cent of the staff are off sick, then coupled with increased volumes, it makes for the perfect storm,” said Jensen.
Region of Durham Paramedic Services did report that it is experiencing similar pressures being felt by all other paramedic services in the province. It’s operating at approximately two vehicles less than optimum deployment due to the current COVID-19 surge. RDPS added that the number of vehicles in operation would be lower if not for the paramedic staff who have stepped up to work additional shifts and hours.
“The Region will continue its efforts to provide the best services it can, while navigating through this pandemic,” RDPS said.
On Friday morning, there were 494 active cases of COVID-19 across North Durham (Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock). Uxbridge had 204, Scugog had 202 and Brock had 88. Only one month ago, that number was at 15.
According to the Durham Region data tracker, Reachview Village is the only Uxbridge long-term care residence with an active outbreak, with one active case in isolation.
Daily changes continue to trend upwards as more people are being admitted to hospital with COVID-19. On Tuesday afternoon, the province reported 3,220 COVID-19 patients in hospital, 477 of those in intensive care units. Fifty-two per cent of those ICU patients were on ventilators. With these numbers, the province has 22 per cent of its ICU capacity remaining.
The Region has a “COVID-19 Case and Contact Hub” on its website, which contains information and outlines what to do if a you suspect you may have contracted COVID-19. durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-case-and-contact-information-hub.aspx
Ordering in? Play Uxbridge Bingo, help the food bank too
by Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
The pandemic has shut down dine-in restaurants again, but most are still offering take-out, and one Uxbridge resident has decided to turn ordering in into a game.
James Drake recently announced online that he is organizing “Uxbridge Take-Out Bingo” to help local restaurants. All proceeds go to the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank.
“We all love this town and it would be so hard to see any business have troubles through this time. This is a way of making it fun and also giving back to a local charity. Bingo is simple, something that anyone can do! There will be nearly 900 take-out meals purchased within this program if everyone goes for a full card,” says Drake.
He notes that he is not affiliated with any of the restaurants in Uxbridge, nor is he affiliated with the food bank.
Those who wish to play “Uxbridge Take-Out Bingo” are asked to make a $5 donation per Bingo card (Drake stresses that this is “100 per cent a donation and NOT payment to play Bingo”). There will be three prizes or rounds. There will be a $10 local gift card for getting an ‘X’ or a ‘+’ (plus sign) through the middle using the Free Square. A $20 local gift card is on offer for getting a ‘U’, using the sides and bottom line of the Bingo card, and a $40 local gift card goes to the first person to get a full sheet, which fills every square.
Players are asked to send an e-transfer to bingo@jamesdrake.ca (if a password is needed, use UxBingo). Drake asks that e-transfers include the sender’s email address in the comments, as well. Once payment is received, Drake will send a link to generate a unique bingo card that is full of all the different places throughout Uxbridge. This can be bookmarked or printed.
“The faster you start playing, the faster you can start filling squares,” says Drake. “There is no end date, just like these lockdowns!” he jokes.
To win, email receipts to the above-mentioned email address.
Region offering virtual fitness, safety programs for seniors
Older adults in Durham Region are invited to get online, active, and learn a few things along the way.
On offer is an upcoming series of free virtual movement classes which will focus on core strength and balance, tailored to older residents looking to get active and fit. This free virtual event series will be instructed by Wendy of Wendy’s Gentle Yoga, in Oshawa. Wendy has been teaching movement for 15 years in the community. Her initial training was rooted in yoga, and she has studied many different movement and strength techniques.
These classes will take place Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2, from 1 to 2 p.m.
The Region is also offering a free falls prevention workshop for seniors, where older adults can learn how to reduce the risks of falling so they can remain independent and healthy longer. Led by Community Care Durham (CCD), the session will start with information about falls, risk and prevention. Following this, participants will be led through a falls prevention class, educating participants on how to avoid falls, and learn about CCD’s falls prevention programming.
This workshop, which is also virtual, takes place Monday, Jan. 17, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Register for both programs online at durham.ca/LearningSeries.
This programming is funded through an Ontario Inclusive Community Grant.
Ontario Junior Citizen Awards return after COVID-caused hiatus
Celebrate the best of Uxbridge and help recognize the incredible determination, imagination, and spirit of outstanding young citizens between the ages of 6-17.
If you know someone who is involved in worthwhile community service, is contributing while living with a limitation, has performed an heroic act, demonstrates individual excellence, or is going above and beyond to help others, consider nominating them for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 11, 2022.
Nominees may be: involved in worthwhile community service; special young people who are contributing while living with a physical or psychological limitation; individuals who have performed acts of heroism or bravery in the past year; displayed excellence in personal achievements; be ‘good kids’ who show a commitment to making life better for others.
Any resident of Ontario, aged six to 17 years (must be at least six years, but no older than 17 years by the Feb. 11 deadline), is eligible to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen Award.
A committee of newspaper editors and publishers will select up to 12 individual award winners. Every nominee will receive a certificate of recognition, and the final recipients will be invited to a special ceremony in the Spring.
For nomination forms and additional information, visit the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s website, or contact the Cosmos at 905-852-1900.
The local chapter of IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire), a national women’s charitable organization, recently presented a cheque to the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. Food bank representative Heather Stover, left, accepts the $500 cheque from Shirley Vance, treasurer of the Chapter. Submitted by Carol Guinane
Where does your money go?
Bruce Garrod and Mayor Dave Barton join Chief Administrative Officer Kristi Honey to host a virtual budget open house. They present an excellent in-depth look at where the township’s revenues come from, where they go and where the dollars that stay in Uxbridge are spent. This also explains exactly how property taxes are calculated.
Local family physicians and a paediatrician host a town hall meeting to answer community questions about children and the COVID-19 vaccine. For those who missed this interactive information session, you can watch it here.