Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses.
Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/ to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.
Ontario proceeding with second dose administration of AstraZeneca
The Ontario government is proceeding with second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, beginning with those who received their first dose of the vaccine between March 10 and March 19, 2021.
For a limited time during the week of May 24, individuals who received their first dose of AstraZeneca during the period of March 10, 2021 to March 19, 2021 may opt for an earlier dose interval of 10 weeks with informed consent.
Eligible individuals are encouraged to contact the pharmacy or primary care provider where they received their first dose and can book an appointment beginning the week of May 24. This will begin in the regions where the AstraZeneca vaccine was initially launched in pharmacies and primary care settings in March 2021. Primary care settings and pharmacies may also be reaching out to eligible Ontarians.
New COVID-19 vaccination clinic dates available for booking
- May 31 – Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre
- June 6-8 – West Lincoln, West Lincoln Community Centre
- June 9-13 – Pelham, Meridian Community Centre
Retail sales increase in March
Retail sales were up 3.6% to $57.6 billion in March, Statistics Canada reports, led by higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, and clothing and clothing accessories stores. Sales at food and beverage stores declined.
Sales increased in 10 of 11 subsectors, representing 79.1% of retail trade.
Core retail sales—which exclude sales at gasoline stations, and motor vehicle and parts dealers—rose 4.7%.
Retail sales were up 1.8% in the first quarter—the third consecutive quarterly increase. In volume terms, quarterly sales were up 0.5%.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, provincial governments continued to enact public health measures in several regions across the country, which directly affected the retail sector.
Reading Recommendations
Rapid test kits a new pandemic tool for Niagara businesses
St. Catharines Standard
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce has its first order of rapid screening kits for small- and medium-sized businesses in hand, and its online ordering site is live.
The kits are free and available through a partnership of the chamber and Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, which is serving as a distribution hub.
“The next weeks and months of the pandemic are critical for our region,” said Mishka Balsom, the chamber’s chief executive officer. “Adding rapid antigen testing, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses, is one more important step toward a safe reopening and our economic recovery.”
Test kits can be ordered free of charge at gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits.
The leadership of women (podcast)
The Walrus
Female leadership has been front and centre during the pandemic. From New Zealand where COVID-19 infections have been managed under the leadership of a female Prime Minister, to Canada where the country’s top doctor is a woman of colour. How are women leading differently during the pandemic and how is it redefining what leadership is? Lauren McKeon is an author and journalist who spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Living Better in March.
Featured Content
Niagara Workforce Planning Board introduces youth dashboard
Niagara Workforce Planning Board
Over the past year, COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s ability to find and maintain employment. A recent report from Statistics Canada notes that disrupting young people’s access to employment can potentially impact their career for years to come.
Locally, we know that youth aged 15 to 24 reported unemployment rates that reached a peak of 32.8% in May 2020 alongside an employment rate of only 38.3%. Annually, the unemployment rate for youth in 2020 was 23.7% paired with an employment rate of only 48.2%.
Given these data, NWPB has committed to identifying the scope of COVID-19’s impact on youth employment in Niagara. We are consulting with local partners and community groups to gain insight on youth experiences over the past year, and are collaborating with partners in post-secondary education to ensure these findings help support long-term career planning.
To provide up-to-date insights on youth employment trends, we have developed a youth employment dashboard to ensure there are public metrics available on a monthly basis. Updated reports also will be available at our website, www.nwpb.ca.
Niagara COVID status tracker (May 15)
Niagara’s most up-to-date COVID statistics, measured against the targets for the various stages of the Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework, are presented below. This does not predict government policy, but is offered to give you an idea of where Niagara is situated and how likely a relaxation (or further restrictions) may be. These data are the most recent published by Niagara Region. The Grey-Lockdown level does not have its own metrics, but is triggered when the COVID-specific measurements in a Red-Control region have continued to deteriorate.
The Province of Ontario is currently under a stay-at-home order. The COVID-19 Response Framework does not apply during this order. Click here to review the restrictions currently in place.
▲: Metric has increased since last published measurement
▼: Metric has decreased since last published measurement
— : Metric has not changed since last published measurement
| December 18 | December 25 | January 1 | January 8 | January 15 | January 22 | January 29 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reproductive number | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| New cases per 100,000 | 101.2 | 267.3 | 469.8 | 575.8 | 507.1 | 295.5 | 250.6 |
| New cases per day (not including outbreaks) | 60.7 | 178.7 | 311.7 | 376.9 | 325.4 | 182.7 | 145.7 |
| Percent of hospital beds occupied | 97% | 95.2% | 98.2% | 103.2% | 104.5% | 103.6% | 106% |
| Percent of intensive care beds occupied | 78.8% | 77.3% | 87.9% | 87.9% | 90.9% | 89.4% | 93.9% |
| Percentage of positive tests | 6.1% | 15.6% | 28.1% | 28.6% | 26.6% | 21.2% | 16.2% |
Definitions:
- Weekly Incidence Rate: the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people per week
- Percent Positivity: the number of positive COVID-19 tests as a percentage of all COVID-19 tests performed
- Rt: the reproductive rate, or the number of people infected by each case of the virus
Niagara COVID vaccination tracker (May 21)
Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.
Total doses administered in Niagara: 244,520
Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 4,827
| Percentage of population with one dose | Percentage of population fully vaccinated | |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara | 82.7% | 78.2% |
| Ontario | 84.6% | 79.1% |
| Canada | 84.7% | 78.6% |
| United States | 75% | 64% |
| United Kingdom | 78% | 72% |
| Germany | 76% | 74% |
| France | 80% | 77% |
| Italy | 83% | 76% |
| Japan | 80% | 79% |
| World | 63% | 53% |
Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.
