On Wednesday's Tantramar Report:
NEW REC SUBSIDY PASSES, RETROACTIVE TO JULY 1
In a tight vote at their meeting last night, Sackville Town Council approved a new policy to give parents a financial assist with registration fees for youth programs in hockey, lacrosse, swimming, and skating. The program is retroactive to July 1, and means families can get reimbursed up to $300 per child for fees paid to join Sackville Minor Hockey, the Sackville Skating Club, Tantramar Lacrosse, and the Sackville Swim Club. We recap some of the discussion on today’s Tantramar Report. You can also read more about the issue here.
PAUL AND PAM VOKEY HONOURED AS CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
For the first time since the pandemic began, the citizens’ gallery at town hall was full of socially distanced spectators last night, but they weren’t there to watch the ins and outs of town business being conducted. Rather, they were there to cheer on Sackville’s newest citizens of the year: Paul and Pam Vokey. The couple were recognized for their “outstanding dedication to the local pickleball program.” Listen to the Tantramar Report to hear more.
DREW NURSING HOME UPDATE: ONE NEW CASE IN LAST ROUND OF TESTING
One more case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in a resident of the Drew Nursing Home after testing that happened just before the long weekend. Executive Director Linda Shannon sent a letter to families Monday night with the news. The Drew has had a total of 40 cases during this outbreak, 30 in residents and 10 in staff. Eight people have passed away with the disease at the Drew, and three cases are still active. Click here to read more on the Drew.
MITTON CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO DREW OUTBREAK
Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton is calling for a formal, independent investigation into the the outbreak of COVID-19 at the Drew Nursing home in Sackville.
Mitton says in a press release that she feels, “like government has been asleep at the wheel in Sackville,” and she wants to find out “what went wrong?”
It’s been a month since the first case in the outbreak was discovered at the Drew on Sept. 13. Public Health did not complete testing on all staff and residents until at least five days later. After one week, Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell said the multiple cases at the long term care facility did not constitute an outbreak.
Mitton says, “residents and their families need answers about why the outbreak was not brought under control by the province, as it had in previous outbreaks at other facilities.
CHMA hopes to bring you more from Mitton about her call for an investigation on Friday’s Tantramar Report.
HORIZON ON RED ALERT, SOME NON-URGENT SERVICES AFFECTED
Horizon will return to its red alert level protocols today, for at least two weeks, but the health network is reminding people to attend appointments as usual, unless they are contacted by their health care provider.
During the red alert level, some non-urgent elective surgeries, medical procedures and outpatient appointments may be postponed, but all affected patients will be contacted directly if their appointment is affected.
Horizon says that postponing appointments will allow the network to reallocate human resources and prioritize urgent and emergency services as part of the response to the fourth wave.
During the red alert level, no visitors are allowed in hospitals, with exceptions for people who qualify for a designated support person.
Horizon also says it urges patients to seek alternate options for non-urgent health care needs, rather than going to the emergency room.
FALL PRIDE WEEK POSTPONED
Fall Pride Week activities, including an annual parade from Mount Allison to town hall, are being postponed due to public health restrictions in place during the current ‘circuit breaker’ period. Mayor Shawn Mesheau said the Mount Allison Students Union informed him of the decision Tuesday afternoon. CHMA will keep you posted on new dates for the event.