COVID – Kingston Numbers – Providence Care

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington remains at 55…the same number released by KFL&A Public Health on Sunday.

Its website shows 50 of those cases have been cleared…meaning the people who were infected have recovered.

In the past seven days, there have only been two new cases in this region.

 

There’s good news from Providence Care.  It says a COVID-19 quarantine in two units at Providence Care Hospital and an outbreak at Providence Manor are officially over.

One staff member at Providence Manor and three at the hospital had tested positive for the coronavirus.  The staff members have recovered and are back at work or will be soon.

A news release says no other staff, patient, client or resident has tested positive.

 

COVID – LTC

Premier Doug Ford says his government will look at ways to fix the problems in the long-term care system.  He says the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call.

There have been at least 145 residents of long-term care homes in Ontario who have died from the coronavirus.  An emergency order preventing staff from working at multiple homes will only be in effect for 14 days, but Ford is opening the door to systemic changes in the system.

 

COVID – Electricity Rates

The Ontario Energy Board has announced it will return to winter time-of-use pricing for most customers on May 7th.  It says it will still cost you less than summer pricing…but Premier Doug Ford says he is not in favour of time-of-use pricing and will be discussing it with key cabinet ministers.  He says an announcement will be coming in the next little while.

 

School – Devices

There is still no word on what is happening with the end of the school year for students in elementary school and high school in Ontario.

School Boards have been working to try to make sure students can continue learning online.

The Limestone District School Board says it has distributed more than one thousand devices to students so they can continue learning at home.

Director of Education Debra Rantz says staff is continuing to work at making sure students have access to technology.

 

Trails

KFL&A Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, is asking the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority to open its trails to the public.  Moore has sent a letter to the conservation authority saying it would be good for people’s physical and mental health.

The Conservation Authority has not responded to the request.

When it closed trails and conservation areas it had said it was following a provincial directive.

 

Salvation Army – Rideau Heights

The Salvation Army Church in the Rideau Height neighbourhood has been reaching out to community members during the pandemic.

Officers and staff are packing food hampers and delivering them to about 50 households a week.

Lieutenant Kristina Marsh says for some people who call asking for help it may be the only conversation they have had in days – so they are taking extra time to offer comfort and a listening ear.

Resources from its meal program have been transferred to the food bank and the church has posted their Sunday services on their Facebook page and YouTube.

 

Drug Bust – Project Argo

Three Kingston area men and a man from the Toronto area are facing charges after Kingston Police seized close to half a million dollars in drugs, firearms and motor vehicles.

The Drug Enforcement Unit started the Project Argo investigation in the fall of last year.

A news release says early this year four men were arrested after police seized 1.75 kilos of cocaine, nearly half a kilo of crystal meth, about 500 grams of fentanyl and 56 grams of heroin.  Police also seized 14 thousand dollars cash and three vehicles valued at over 100 thousand dollars.

 

Drug Bust – Deseronto

A man from Deseronto and a man from Kingston are facing charges after a drug bust in Deseronto.

Police raided a home on Mill Street yesterday morning as part of an ongoing investigation.

They seized over three thousand dollars cash, cocaine, methamphetamine, a shotgun, ammunition and bear spray.

25-year-old Nick Smith of Deseronto is facing firearms charges…drug trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

29-year-old Paul Bridgen of Kingston has been charged with possession of cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime.

 

Jiffy Grill Closing

The Jiffy Grill at the Kingston Centre will be permanently closing on May 10th.

It has been a fixture in Kingston and has been operated by the same family for the past 28 years.

Mohamed Hussain announced on his Facebook page yesterday the decision was made because of the current pandemic and the fact their lease is coming up for renewal.  He says the family will continue to operate the west end Jiffy Grill as well as the one in Odessa.