North Bay’s top doc supports easing of COVID-19 restrictions
As of Thursday, restaurants, gyms and movie theatres can operate at 100 per cent capacity for the first time in nearly two years.
That news is something North Bay’s top public health doctor is happy to hear.
"Many of the indicators are in a downward trajectory and that’s really good news for everybody," said Dr. Jim Chirico.
But he is urging people to move ahead cautiously.
"It’s really important to find the balance between opening the economy and still protecting the healthcare system from being overwhelmed," Chirico said.
"I think that it should be the evidence at the time that would really inform that decision to remove masking and vaccine passports."
There’s also been a slowdown in the number of vaccines administered in the region, something that concerns the health unit.
"We’ve seen a plateau and decreased demand, whether it be first, second or third dose," said Shannon Mantha, the health unit's chief nursing officer.
"We continue to offer vaccine clinics in the five hubs across the region. In the coming weeks, we will be switching some strategies up, which will include more mobile and pop-up clinics."
There’s also hope more children ages 5-11 will get their first and second doses. Mantha told CTV News only 46 per cent of children in that age group have been vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.