This Week In Durham Region

This Week In Durham Region Local News graphic

🌻 Have a great long weekend, Durham 🌻

Stay in the know with this latest edition of This Week in Durham Region.

A message from Dr. Kyle on tagging your vaccine selfie for a chance to win prizes

Over the past week, new cases are being seen among unvaccinated and partially vaccinated residents, in addition to younger populations (under 40). These are also currently the populations with the lowest vaccine coverage rates. Visit durham.ca/CovidVaccines to see where and when you can get a first or second dose.

All Durham Region residents 12 and older who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine are invited to share and celebrate receiving your shot with the new Roll Up Your Sleeves Durham photo selfie display. Whether you’re just getting your first dose, you had your first dose several weeks ago, or you’re fully vaccinated with two doses, everyone is welcome to take part in this contest, until August 31. Two $50 gift cards for either the Oshawa Centre or Pickering Town Centre will be awarded to two Durham Region residents. If you don’t use social media, you can email your selfie to vaccine.contest@durham.ca.

The Durham Region Health Department would also like to hear from residents about their experience receiving their vaccine at an area clinic. The survey is anonymous and will be used to evaluate our processes and inform future improvements. Residents who would like to share their feedback can complete the survey online at durham.ca/VaccineSurvey. Read Dr. Kyle’s full statement for more information.

Supporting the transition back to school

Parents/caregivers of children (four to 12 years old) are invited to attend a virtual workshop series about supporting children’s mental health with the transition back to school. This event is hosted by Family Services Durham, Durham Catholic District School Board and Durham District School Board. For more information, visit the Durham Catholic District School Board website at dcdsb.ca.

West Nile virus positive mosquitoes in Durham Region

The Durham Region Health Department has confirmed that a batch of adult mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The positive batch of mosquitoes was collected from one of the Health Department’s mosquito trap sites located in Ajax. These are the first mosquitoes in Durham Region to test positive for WNV this season.

It’s important for residents to take precautions against WNV by avoiding mosquito bites and removing standing water from their properties. For more information on WNV, please call Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729, or visit durham.ca/WestNile.

Calling all students: Join the Digital Challenge for Rural Canada

The Brilliant Catalyst’s Digital Challenge for Rural Canada, from August 10 to 20, is an opportunity for first to third-year students to work in teams and brainstorm innovative concepts to address health services, talent retention, education and other issues in rural communities.

This is a paid 10-day challenge—participants will receive $300 and compete for the grand prize of $5,000. The concepts will be showcased to government, non-profits and corporate sponsors, and the grand prize winners will be incubated at the Brilliant Catalyst for 12 months!

Students are encouraged to enter and get the opportunity to build their own start-up or connect with the sponsoring companies. For more information, visit OntarioTechBrilliant.ca/DigitalChallenge.

If you require this newsletter in an accessible format, please contact Newsletters@durham.ca