Northwestern Health Unit

Bullying is not just a school problem. It also happens in the community. It requires community support and solutions. Involving the community in bullying prevention helps to ensure that youth get consistent messages everywhere they live, learn, play and work. For more information visit: www.prevent.ca/bullying.

Things you should do to prevent influenza are the same things you do to prevent COVID-19, with one exception the flu shot! Even after getting the shot, it’s important to continue to wash your hands, physical distance, stay home when you’re sick, and wear a mask when in enclosed public spaces. http://ow.ly/AqQt50CcQxq

Mindfulness can help calm you down and provide relaxation. Take the 12 Days of a Mindful Holiday Challenge and have a more relaxing holiday. Visit www.nwhu.on.ca for more details.

Did you know that gambling can become an addiction? Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. While there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms, gambling problems and addictions can still negatively impact people's lives and relationships due to changes in behaviour, emotions, finances and health. Like any addiction, it takes tremendous strength and courage to admit you have a problem, but don't let the stigma stop you from seeking help. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, there are supports out there and there is no shame in asking for help that you may need. Youth can text CONNECT to 686868 and adults can call 866-531-2600 for help. ##ChangeBeginsWithMe Learn more about problem gambling at https://www.camh.ca//mental-illness-and-a/problem-gambling

Northwestern Health Unit has received a report of one new positive COVID-19 test result in the Kenora region. Follow up with the person involved and their contacts has started according to protocol. Anyone who is identified as a contact for this case will be contacted directly. For reasons of privacy, NWHU does not release or comment on information about the location of COVID-19 test results. Information about gender, age and method of transmission will be posted to the Ontar...io COVID data website http://ow.ly/qs2650B4SLr when it is available. We recommend that everyone assume COVID-19 is in their community and practise preventive measures like physical distancing, wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge, good hand hygiene, and not touching their face. Anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with a positive case, should get tested. For information about getting tested, please visit the NWHU website http://ow.ly/gyWg50B4SLn for instructions on how to schedule an appointment at an assessment centre.

People who have been affected by COVID-19 should be supported, not blamed. They are not at risk of spreading the virus once they have completed their isolation period. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will isolate until they are no longer able to spread the virus. https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/home.aspx

The weather may be getting colder, but the fresh air is good for your physical and mental health and provides a lower-risk space for socializing. Throw on some extra layers and get outside! Keep a 2 metre distance from anyone not in your household and continue to practise prevention measures. The great outdoors is the place to be!

Win a Fitbit Versa 3 or AirPods Pro! If you’re at least 18 years old, fill out our survey and your name will be entered into the draw! http://ow.ly/o72b50CjYRP

Self-isolate if you’ve been tested for COVID-19. Wait for your test result before leaving your house. If you’ve been tested because you were a close contact of a case, a negative test does not end your isolation period early.

Have your COVID-19 questions answered! Join our Facebook live stream with Dr. Kit Young Hoon next Thursday at 1:00 pm. https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/public-sessions.aspx

Northwestern Health Unit has received a report of three new positive COVID-19 test results in the Kenora region. Follow up with the persons involved and their contacts has started according to protocol. Anyone who is identified as a contact for these cases will be contacted directly. For reasons of privacy, NWHU does not release or comment on information about the location of COVID-19 test results. Information about gender, age and method of transmission will be posted to the... Ontario COVID data website http://ow.ly/qs2650B4SLr when it is available. We recommend that everyone assume COVID-19 is in their community and practise preventive measures like physical distancing, wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge, good hand hygiene, and not touching their face. Anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with a positive case, should get tested. For information about getting tested, please visit the NWHU website http://ow.ly/gyWg50B4SLn for instructions on how to schedule an appointment at an assessment centre.

The COVID Alert app lets you know if you may have been exposed to COVID-19. You can then get tested to keep you and your loved ones safe. Your personal information and data are not collected. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert

L’application Alerte COVID vous permet de savoir si vous pourriez avoir été exposé au virus. Le cas échéant, faites faire un test de dépistage pour vous protéger et protéger vos proches. L’application ne collecte pas vos informations et données personnelles. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/fr/covidalerte

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed a baby. However, it is not always easy for mothers and babies to learn! If you are having problems with breastfeeding please contact us at 1-800-465-4377 or call your local NWHU and ask to speak with a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse. #WBW2020 #breastfeeding

It is here..cold and flu season and so is COVID-19. To keep our communities healthy, here are a few things to remember: Keep doing what you are doing (wash your hands, keep your distance and wear a mask) Stay home when ill and avoid going to the emergency room with flu or cold symptoms unless you need medical attention ... If you are not feeling well, take the on-line self-assessement to determine if you should get tested for COVID-19. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

Did you know that breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants? It provides all the nutrients that your baby needs for healthy growth and development and helps protect them against illnesses! If you are having problems with breastfeeding or have any infant feeding questions, give us a call at 1-800-465-4377 or call your local NWHU office and ask to speak with a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse! #WBW2020 #breastfeeding

What happens if there is a positive case in your school? If a staff or student tests positive for COVID-19, we will immediately reach out to that person and start contact tracing. If your child was a close contact, we will be in touch and let you know what steps you should take. If you do not hear from us, your child is not deemed at any additional risk and can attend school as usual. To learn more about COVID-19 and schools, visit our website. http://ow.ly/ba7650BHSRd

Life hack: show your colours! If you are wearing a disposable face mask, the coloured side faces out (just in case someone out there needed this ah ha moment as much as we did today)! Pass it on. Share the knowledge. http://ow.ly/W7SP50BHStS

Our staff have the answers to your COVID-19 questions so that you don’t have to go looking for them. Call us! Our hotline is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/home.aspx

Update on Valleyview Public School COVID-19 cases - Keewatin Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) continue to work together minimize the impact of the recent COVID-19 cases in the Valleyview Public School community. The investigation is ongoing and there are no new confirmed cases. Cases and close contacts have been advised to self-isolate. The school remains open to students who have NOT been identified as close contacts by NWHU and told... to self-isolate. The situation has been classified as an outbreak because it meets the ministry’s definition which says that an outbreak in a school is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) in a school within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school setting. It is too early in the investigation to know for sure that there was transmission in the school, but NWHU cannot rule it out at this time. For reasons of privacy, we minimize sharing personal information about any case and encourage others to avoid identifying individuals. Anyone who gets tested must self-isolate until they get their test results, even if they begin to feel better. You can still spread COVID-19 when you don’t have symptoms. All students and school staff should use the Government of Ontario’s school screening tool (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) daily before attending school.

Attention Parents! If you live in Ontario, have a child 12 years old or under, please consider participating in an online survey about your child(ren)’s return to play post-COVID-19 pandemic. http://ow.ly/o4mk50BGVNy! You may enter a draw to win 1 of 5, $100 Amazon gift cards!

All women and parents have the right to breastfeed. This World Breastfeeding Week let’s support all new parents in our community! If you are having problems with breastfeeding or have any infant feeding questions, give us a call at 1-800-465-4377 or call your local NWHU office and ask to speak with a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse! #WBW2020 #breastfeeding

Ticks can be active from April to November. If you get ticked DO NOT burn it off, smother it in Vaseline, coat it with nail polish, pour rubbing alcohol on it, or "unscrew it" with your bare hands. DO use clean tweezers to properly and carefully remove the tick. Click here to learn more. http://ow.ly/Re8f50Bx7LR

The Ontario Parent Survey was conducted between May 5 and June 19, with the goal of helping understand what families with children are experiencing during COVID-19, and what services families and caregivers may need. Download and read the executive summary report at: https://strongfamilies.ca/projects/ontario-parent-survey/