The Rainy River District School Board says it's taking preventative measures of its own in dealing with the H1N1 flu virus in its schools.
It includes posting information in its schools to remind students and staff about proper hand-washing practices and safe cough etiquette.
It's also ensuring thorough and effective routine cleaning and disinfecting practices with increased emphasis on high contact and high contamination areas.
The board is also telling students and staff who are sick to stay home until they get better.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Visitor Restriction at Falls Hospital
Individuals under the age of 18 are being prohibited from visiting Rainy River Medical Centre in the Falls unless they need medical care.
CEO Brian Long says the temporary restriction is aimed at curbing the spread of both the seasonal and H1N1 flu at its facility.
Long says visitor restrictions are in line with policies at other health care organizations throughout the state.
Meantime, the Minnesota Department of Health has set up a free phone-based flu-line for people with questions about the flu and whether they should receive medical aid.
That number is 1-866-259-4655 and is staffed 24-hours a day.
CEO Brian Long says the temporary restriction is aimed at curbing the spread of both the seasonal and H1N1 flu at its facility.
Long says visitor restrictions are in line with policies at other health care organizations throughout the state.
Meantime, the Minnesota Department of Health has set up a free phone-based flu-line for people with questions about the flu and whether they should receive medical aid.
That number is 1-866-259-4655 and is staffed 24-hours a day.
More H1N1 Flu Clinics Announced
The Northwestern Health Unit has added at least one more clinic for those people wanting the H1N1 vaccine.
But health officials says the walk-in clinic at the Fort Frances office will only accept those considered in the high-risk categories,
They include children between the ages of six months and five years, people under the age of 65 with chronic health condition or health care workers.
The clinic will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this afternoon.
But health officials says the walk-in clinic at the Fort Frances office will only accept those considered in the high-risk categories,
They include children between the ages of six months and five years, people under the age of 65 with chronic health condition or health care workers.
The clinic will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this afternoon.
Safe Crossing Explained
School children in Fort Frances will get a lesson today about safety around a rail crossing.
CN Police, along with the OPP, will be taking Grade 4, 5 and 6 students at J.W. Walker School to the McIrvine Road crossing as part of Safe Crossing Week.
Constable Pete LeDrew says they want students to learn how and when to cross safely.
"We're letting them know to listen for the warning bells and watch for the flashing lights," says LeDrew, "if a train is going by, the proper distance to stand away, the ten giant steps, never try to cross the tracks if a train is coming.
LeDrew says says they're also pointing out where the safe and legal crossings are in Fort Frances as well.
A similiar lesson will be given to students at St. Michael's School later this week.
CN Police, along with the OPP, will be taking Grade 4, 5 and 6 students at J.W. Walker School to the McIrvine Road crossing as part of Safe Crossing Week.
Constable Pete LeDrew says they want students to learn how and when to cross safely.
"We're letting them know to listen for the warning bells and watch for the flashing lights," says LeDrew, "if a train is going by, the proper distance to stand away, the ten giant steps, never try to cross the tracks if a train is coming.
LeDrew says says they're also pointing out where the safe and legal crossings are in Fort Frances as well.
A similiar lesson will be given to students at St. Michael's School later this week.
DriveTest Talks Resume
Talks resumed on the weekend in Toronto aimed at ending the strike by Ontario DriveTest employees.
The workers, including those in Fort Frances who conduct driver's licence tests, walked out August 23, with job security being the key issue.
DriveTest estimates that four-thousand people per day have not been able to obtain their driver's licence since the workers went on strike.
The workers, including those in Fort Frances who conduct driver's licence tests, walked out August 23, with job security being the key issue.
DriveTest estimates that four-thousand people per day have not been able to obtain their driver's licence since the workers went on strike.
Auto Insurance Changes Coming
Ontario's Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is reportedly proposing 40 different regulation changes today for auto insurance in an effort to keep the rates down.
The government's goal is to give consumers more options and flexibility to shop for lower rates while staying protected.
The changes come after reports that say some drivers could face rate hikes well into the double digits.
The government's goal is to give consumers more options and flexibility to shop for lower rates while staying protected.
The changes come after reports that say some drivers could face rate hikes well into the double digits.
Boston Pizza Opens
The newest restaurant in Fort Frances opens its doors to the public for the first time today.
Boston Pizza held official opening ceremonies Friday in which staff donated five-thousand dollars in tips earned during practice sessions to the Salvation Army and United Native Friendship Centre food banks.
Franchisee holder Dale Fortes is excited about finally opening.
"I'm feeling very excited," says Fortes. "It's just nice to finally get to this point in the process. We've enjoyed every minute of the process so far and look forwarding to opening our doors to Fort Frances and the immediate area."
A total of one-hundred people have been hired as servers, cooks and other position.
Boston Pizza held official opening ceremonies Friday in which staff donated five-thousand dollars in tips earned during practice sessions to the Salvation Army and United Native Friendship Centre food banks.
Franchisee holder Dale Fortes is excited about finally opening.
"I'm feeling very excited," says Fortes. "It's just nice to finally get to this point in the process. We've enjoyed every minute of the process so far and look forwarding to opening our doors to Fort Frances and the immediate area."
A total of one-hundred people have been hired as servers, cooks and other position.
Forest Fire Season Ends
2009 will go into the books as one of the quietest forest fire seasons on record in northwestern Ontario.
The fire season wrapped up on Saturday with just 194 forest fires reported.
Fire Information officer Debbie McLean says despite two very slow back-to-back fire years, the Ministry of Natural Resources won't be making any changes to its fire fighting plans for next year.
"As an emergency response organization we do have to be prepared," says McLean, "regardless if whether we're expecting a slow or busy fire season. The fact is that we did have 194 fires. Of those over 100 were caused by human activity. There's always that risk every fire season even in a slow fire season that every fire carries the potential of being life threatening."
McLean adds while there were fewer forest fires this year over last, total area burned was up considerably.
The fire season wrapped up on Saturday with just 194 forest fires reported.
Fire Information officer Debbie McLean says despite two very slow back-to-back fire years, the Ministry of Natural Resources won't be making any changes to its fire fighting plans for next year.
"As an emergency response organization we do have to be prepared," says McLean, "regardless if whether we're expecting a slow or busy fire season. The fact is that we did have 194 fires. Of those over 100 were caused by human activity. There's always that risk every fire season even in a slow fire season that every fire carries the potential of being life threatening."
McLean adds while there were fewer forest fires this year over last, total area burned was up considerably.
Riverside Issues Visitor Reminder
Riverside Health Care Facilities has again issued a public reminder to those thinking of visiting its district hospitals.
Riverside is asking patients to its emergency department to not bring an escort unless the patient is a child or someone who needs the assistance.
Hospitals in Emo, Rainy River and Fort Frances are also restricting those under the age of 18 and anyone with flu-like symptoms from visiting.
Riverside is asking patients to its emergency department to not bring an escort unless the patient is a child or someone who needs the assistance.
Hospitals in Emo, Rainy River and Fort Frances are also restricting those under the age of 18 and anyone with flu-like symptoms from visiting.
Ontario Flu Update
Healthy people in Ontario who want the H-1-N-1 vaccinewill have to go to the back of the line for a while still.
The priority for vaccinations is still the high risk group andhealth officials say they should be getting their needles faster nowthat twice as many clinics are going to be opened and with longerhours.
Dr. Arlene King, the province's chief medical officer, says there will now be 100 clinics across the province doling out the vaccinations and the medicine will be also be shipped to some doctors offices.
King says the flu is already above the highest rate seen in the past few years.
There have been 31 reported deaths from H-1-N-1 so far in Ontario, including three in the past week.
The high priority group includes pregnant women, children over six months but under five, health-care workers, people under 65 with health conditions and those in isolated communities.
King believes everyone in the province who wants the vaccine will have it -- by Christmas.
The priority for vaccinations is still the high risk group andhealth officials say they should be getting their needles faster nowthat twice as many clinics are going to be opened and with longerhours.
Dr. Arlene King, the province's chief medical officer, says there will now be 100 clinics across the province doling out the vaccinations and the medicine will be also be shipped to some doctors offices.
King says the flu is already above the highest rate seen in the past few years.
There have been 31 reported deaths from H-1-N-1 so far in Ontario, including three in the past week.
The high priority group includes pregnant women, children over six months but under five, health-care workers, people under 65 with health conditions and those in isolated communities.
King believes everyone in the province who wants the vaccine will have it -- by Christmas.
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