WELLINGTON COUNTY – Officials and staff at the Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board are preparing for the Jan. 17 return to in-person learning with newly acquired HEPA units, higher-grade masks and a new method for case monitoring.
COVID-19
Local school boards recognize mental health toll of pandemic uncertainty on students
WELLINGTON COUNTY – As students once again settle in to online learning amid another surge in COVID-19 cases, school board officials say they recognize the toll the constant uncertainty of the pandemic is having on students’ mental health.
Students back in classrooms after snow storm delays return
WELLINGTON COUNTY - As in-person learning returns after delay following winter break, area school boards are navigating education and challenges of Omicron.
Pandemic getting to you? Experts offer advice on managing your mental health
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Just when it seemed we were close to finished this marathon of a pandemic, the Omicron variant has moved the finish line. And that has left many people feeling exhausted, exasperated, and ready to throw in the towel.
Unions, opposition frustrated by decision to suspend case reporting in schools
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local union representatives and an education critic are frustrated with the provincial government’s decision to suspend COVID-19 case reporting in schools and are questioning the province’s transparency and its ability to keep students safe.
Mount Forest Family Health Team prepares for staff shortages
MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest Family Health Team (MFFHT) is preparing for staff shortages and alerting the public to the possibility of service cancellations due to pandemic pressures.
Active cases in Wellington County reach all-time high as regional cases decline
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) has reported 640 new COVID-19 cases between Jan. 7 and 9. As of Jan. 10, active cases sat at 2,318 after hitting an all-time high of 2,972 cases on Jan. 4.
Rapid antigen tests available at University of Guelph Jan. 10 to 12
GUELPH – The University Guelph will distribute rapid antigen testing kits early next week. A limited supply of testing kits will be available Jan. 10 to 12 while supplies last.
New ‘treat-and-release’ option could help prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by Omicron
WELLINGTON COUNTY - Paramedics in Wellington County and Guelph could, with a medical directive recently made available to emergency medical services, soon treat those with COVID-19 symptoms at home instead of transporting patients to emergency departments.
Province anticipating arrival of 54.3 million rapid antigen tests
TORONTO - The provincial government is expecting to receive millions of rapid antigen tests this month following a Jan. 5 federal announcement that 140 million rapid tests would be distributed across the country.
WDGPH confirms first death of a child with COVID-19
WELLINGTON COUNTY – A Wellington County child under the age of 10 has died after testing positive for COVID-19. It's unclear if the child's death was caused by the virus.
School board to ask province to add COVID-19 to immunization act
GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) will be sending a letter to the province requesting several actions to ensure a safer return to in-person learning.
Staffing a struggle but local hospitals keeping up as Omicron spreads in community
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Administrators are managing to cover shifts at the three hospitals in Wellington County, but they are keeping a watchful eye on case numbers in the community and bracing for more challenges ahead.
Students learning from home after province flip-flops on return to classrooms
WELLINGTON COUNTY - Students were supposed to be back in-class this week following a belated Christmas gift of a delayed return to school on Jan. 5.
University hosting public vaccination clinic starting this week
GUELPH – As part of a community-wide effort to increase the availability of third doses and promote vaccination, the University of Guelph (U of G) is hosting a second public COVID-19 vaccination clinic on campus beginning Jan. 4.