Pandemic pivot ... Eastern Ontario's Medical Officer of Health outlines major changes.
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis talks about the major pullback of government-run testing and contact tracing amid the omicron wave. The switch to a "no test strategy" and other changes, he says, are a forerunner of a coming shift to "living with covid" as an endemic virus — ultimately with fewer restrictions on day-to-day life — and no longer a pandemic situation. The Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health looks forward to a "bright spot" in 2022 as this transition hopefully occurs.
One year ago in Eastern Ontario, a pep talk to get past the euchred Holiday season of 2020
One year ago today, Dr. Paul delivers a pep talk as the kiboshed Christmas of 2020 approaches. A "new ball game" has begun as the doctor foresees "a bit of light at the end of the tunnel" that is "literally around the corner" in 2021.
Chesterville & District Historical Society launches new book
The Chesterville and District Historical Society launched its new village history book today. Copies of "Bridging the Centuries The History of Chesterville: 1988 - 2020" are available from the Society and at the Chesterville Scotiabank branch. The book updates Chesterville's last major history volume, "The Time that Was." The new title sells for $50 a copy.
Santa visits Chesterville, Dec. 4, 2021, with the local Rotary Club.
Santa in Chesterville on Sat., Dec. 4, 2021, hosted by the Rotary Club of Chesterville & District. Thumbnail image here shows 87-year-old Audrey Cross enjoying her visit with St. Nick.
Christmas tunes in Avonmore
Ha'Loonie and friends perform in front of St. James United Church in Avonmore, coinciding with North Stormont's Christmas porch tour.
Historical plaques unveiled in Iroquois
The Iroquois Waterfront Committee, South Dundas Historical Society and Iroquois Airport Commission cut the official ribbon on a series of new historical plaques celebrating old pre-Seaway Iroquois, at the John Ross Airport and Campground building.
Replay: Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Sept. 13, 2021
In theory, how high does the daily provincial case count need to rise before the province forces the closure of non-essential businesses again (even despite the vaccine passport system)? 10,000 cases? 20,000? Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis takes a stab at this NVN question in his Sept. 13, 2021, media briefing. He also talks extensively about cases in schools.
Black Rat Snake and another critter at Marble Rock Conservation Area
Constrictors and big creepy crawlies aren't limited to the jungle ... At the Marble Rock Conservation Area trail outside Gananoque, we captured footage of (apparently) a Black Rat Snake climbing a tree and a so-called American Giant Millipede.
Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Aug. 30, 2021
In case you missed it, Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis delivers his Aug. 30, 2021, media update.
Barnstorm 21 ... Slo' Tom and the Handsome Devils in Finch
Musical artists expressed their gratitude to be performing live again for the first time in over year at Michael 'tic' Houston's 21st annual 'Barnstorm' musical festival last week. Attendance was curtailed and proof of vaccination was required for admission. Here, Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils put on a show in their return to the stage inside the former dairy barn.
Barnstorm 21 in Finch, with Reverb Syndicate
The Reverb Syndicate brought their blend of spy and surf music back to Finch last week as 'Barnstorm' officially returned to Michael 'tic' Houston's North Stormont farm after a one-year hiatus. Attendance was curtailed and proof of vaccination was required for admission. The annual show transforms Houston's rural property and former dairy barn into a spectacle of light and music, featuring an eclectic blend of Canadian roots rock and pop artists.
Replay: Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Aug. 23, 2021
Replay: Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis media briefing, Aug. 23, 2021
Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Aug. 16, 2021
Replay: Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis delivers his Aug. 16, 2021, media briefing.
North Stormont Council Aug. 10, 2021
We join North Stormont Council several minutes into a public zoning meeting, leading into their regular Aug. 10, 2021, session.
Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Aug. 9, 2021
"A bit of a resurgence" in COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit region, says the medical officer of health. Dr. Paul also weighs in on mandatory vaccinations for teachers (he supports it) and Quebec's vaccine passport (he likes the idea). There have been only six cases of the Delta variant in the last month and a half in the EOHU region, he says.
