First-timers still coming in for vax - that's good news say health officials
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on with Omicron sweeping through local communities, some in Oxford and Elgin counties who were once vaccine-hesitant appear to be coming around.
More than 300 people were expected to take in a popup vaccine clinic in Aylmer Friday.
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) Director of Vaccines Susan MacIsaac said she’s pleased to still be seeing new faces.
“There are some people who have waited and we are seeing some first doses today, which is wonderful. Anyone who makes that decision, it’s great news. You know they hear that we have had some deaths and I think that’s worrisome for people, so they’re deciding to make that decision to give them the best protection as possible,” said MacIsaac.
Thirty-one year old Dylan Grant-Wilson, formerly of Toronto now residing in Aylmer, came for his booster.
“Basically to protect my family,” he said. “I personally am not too concerned with this variant, but I still think it’s important to do what you can and have a baseline vaccination.”
Jaxon Vonk was happy to get his first dose. Of course, he’s only nine-years-old, but his mom Julie Smith said he took it upon himself to make sure he got to the clinic.
Jaxon Vonk, 9, and his mother at the COVID-19 vaccine pop up clinic in Aylmer. Jan. 21, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)“Actually it was his decision,” she said. “I asked him if he wanted to be vaccinated now that there are vaccines for children his age, And he said ‘yes I’d like to be safe.’ And that’s why were here today.”
The push to get people vaccinated comes amid a surge of COVID hospitalizations in Elgin and Oxford counties, along with a COVID outbreak at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital.
In a news release the hospital said fewer than five patients have tested positive.
According to Southwestern Public Health, there are currently 52 COVID hospitalizations in the region, with 10 in the ICU.
All the more reason to come in for a shot, said MacIsaac. “So people who are vaccinated, it really does give some protection from hospitalization and that really is our goal.”
SWPH is hosting a popup COVID-19 vaccination clinic Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tillsonburg Community Centre. Appointments are required.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE | Ceremony opens daylong memorial marking graves detection at site of Canada's largest residential school
A daylong memorial began Monday in Kamloops, B.C., at the site of what was once Canada's largest residential school on the one-year anniversary of the announcement of the detection of unmarked graves.
Thousands in Ont., Que. still without power after storm leaves at least nine dead
Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power after Saturday's powerful storm that left at least nine dead and caused extensive damage throughout southern Ontario and Quebec.
Monkeypox fears could stigmatize LGBTQ2+ community, expert says
A theory that the recent outbreak of monkeypox may be tied to sexual activity has put the gay community in an unfortunate position, having fought back against previous and continued stigma around HIV and AIDS, an LGBTQ2+ centre director says.
Russian sentenced to life in Ukraine's 1st war crimes trial
A Russian soldier who pleaded guilty to killing a civilian was sentenced by a Ukrainian court Monday to life in prison -- the maximum -- amid signs the Kremlin may hold trials of its own, particularly of the captured fighters who held out at Mariupol's steel plant.
First of three flights bringing Ukrainians to Canada to land in Winnipeg
The first of three charter flights bringing Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's invasion to Canada is to land in Manitoba this afternoon.
Walk out at trade meeting when Russia spoke 'not one-off,' says trade minister
The United States and four other nations that walked out of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group meeting in Bangkok over the weekend underlined their support Monday for host nation Thailand, saying their protest was aimed solely at Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
Military members urged to contact Habitat for Humanity amid housing crisis
An email encouraging members of the Canadian Armed Forces to consider contacting Habitat for Humanity if they can't find affordable housing is casting a spotlight on a growing challenge facing many military personnel and their families.
OPINION | Richard Berthelsen: What kind of King will Prince Charles be? Royal tour offers hints
The Canadian royal visit took place at a time when many are starting to view Prince Charles differently, given that his destiny to be King seems to loom closer, Richard Berthelsen writes in his exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
Wreckage found of plane that disappeared in Ontario with Alberta men onboard, police say
The wreckage of a small plane that disappeared last month in northern Ontario with two men aboard has been located in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Kitchener
-
“We want to give her her name back”: OPP plea for information in death of young girl found in the Grand River
Ontario provincial police are asking for the public’s help, as they continue to investigate the death of a young girl whose body was found in the Grand River in Dunnville.
-
Missing plane leaving Delhi, Ont. discovered in Northern Ontario
OPP say the missing plane that took off from Delhi, Ont. and never arrived at its destination was discovered Saturday in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about two kilometres east of Old Woman Bay.
-
Victoria Day: What's open and closed in Waterloo Region
The May Long Weekend is underway and Victoria Day celebrations are in full swing across Ontario.
Windsor
-
Northern Tornadoes Project investigating East London for possible Tornado
Cleanup is still underway from Saturday’s massive storm that hit Southwestern Ontario, and not everyone in the region has their power restored.
-
Three impaired driving charges laid in Essex County over the long weekend
OPP in Essex County have arrested three people for impaired driving over the long weekend.
-
IN PICTURES: Statue of baseball legend Fergie Jenkins unveiled at Wrigley Field in Chicago
Canadian baseball legend Fergie Jenkins was honoured by the Chicago Cubs Friday with the unveiling of a new statue at Wrigley Field.
Barrie
-
What's open and closed in Simcoe County on Victoria Day
The long weekend will bring a number of closures on the Victoria Day Monday.
-
Jimmy Cuddy Trio headlining June event for local hospices
Three local women are spearheading an event next month to give back to a cause close to their heart, with the help of some well-known musicians.
-
New beer-themed spa opens in heart of Muskoka
An existing business in Muskoka is expanding its offerings to include a unique experience right in the heart of Torrance.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Death toll after Ontario storm rises as crews work to restore power to 200K customers
Crews continue to try and restore power to more than 200,000 customers across Ontario after a storm ripped through the province over the weekend, leaving at least 10 people dead.
-
Suspended truck driver almost hits police cruiser on Hwy. 17
A suspended, uninsured driver of a tractor-trailer almost hit a police vehicle last week, East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police said Sunday.
-
Missing plane found
Ontario Provincial Police say a missing aircraft was discovered Saturday evening in Lake Superior Provincial Park, about two kilometres east of Old Woman Road.
Ottawa
-
110,000 Ottawa homes and businesses still without power two days after the storm
Hydro Ottawa says it could take three to four days to restore power to tens of thousands of Ottawa homes and businesses following Saturday's powerful storm.
-
Hydro damage 'significantly worse' than the ice storm and tornadoes, Hydro Ottawa says
Hydro Ottawa says the damage from Saturday's storm is "simply beyond comprehension", and is "significantly worse" than the 1998 ice storm and the tornadoes that hit the capital three years ago.
-
Here's what's open and closed in Ottawa on Victoria Day
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what's open and closed in Ottawa over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Death toll after Ontario storm rises as crews work to restore power to 200K customers
Crews continue to try and restore power to more than 200,000 customers across Ontario after a storm ripped through the province over the weekend, leaving at least 10 people dead.
-
Woodbine Beach saw two shootings, one stabbing and fireworks wars, police say
Police are investigating three separate violence incidents as well as a number of instances of people discharging fireworks at each other and at police in the Woodbine Beach area on Sunday night, and are taking extra precautions as a park nearby is set to host a fireworks display on Monday.
-
What 3 Hamilton stakeholders want out of this Ontario election
The Ontario election campaign may not be generating the same level of interest as some previous races but Kojo Damptey says that the result will nonetheless be "critical" for Hamilton.
Montreal
-
Hundreds of thousands of Quebec homes still without power after weekend storm
Hydro-Quebec states at the height of the storm, 550,000 customers were without power.
-
What's open and closed in Montreal this Victoria, Patriots' Day long weekend
Whether you call it Victoria Day or Patriots' Day, here's a list of what's open and closed on Monday, May 23.
-
Thousands in Ont., Que. still without power after storm leaves at least nine dead
Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power after Saturday's powerful storm that left at least nine dead and caused extensive damage throughout southern Ontario and Quebec.
Atlantic
-
One fisherman dead following incident on remote lake near Saint John
New Brunswick RCMP say a Saint John man has died following an incident Saturday afternoon on Loch Alva Lake, near Musquash.
-
'I'll be back next year to win it again': 2 Halifax runners win Blue Nose Marathon Sunday
Two new Haligonians won the Blue Nose Marathon Sunday, and for both, it was their first time winning a marathon.
-
Halifax-area building under construction collapses; no one on-site at the time: developer
An investigation into how and why a building under construction in the Halifax area collapsed on Sunday is underway, according to the developer behind the project.
Winnipeg
-
First of three flights bringing Ukrainians to Canada to land in Winnipeg
The first of three charter flights bringing Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's invasion to Canada is to land in Manitoba this afternoon.
-
Manitoba man charged with manslaughter following deadly hotel assault
Officers with the Manitoba RCMP have charged a 30-year-old man with manslaughter following a fatal assault at a Thompson, Man., hotel.
-
'Sounds from the Sky:' First Nations pilot aims to inspire young Indigenous flyers
Timothy Atik (Tik) Mason has fond childhood memories of boarding large aircraft that would take him from Winnipeg to loved ones in his home community of St. Theresa Point First Nation in northern Manitoba.
Calgary
-
Wreckage found of plane that disappeared in Ontario with Alberta men onboard, police say
The wreckage of a small plane that disappeared last month in northern Ontario with two men aboard has been located in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
-
Flames trying to shake off 'worst' playoff effort in 4-1 loss to Oilers
If the Calgary Flames thought their second-round series was going to be a cakewalk after scoring nine goals in the opening game, they forgot the firepower of their opponent.
-
43 CP Rail cars carrying potash derail east of Fort Macleod, Alta.
Clean up is underway after 43 CP Rail train cars carrying potash left the track Sunday morning east of Fort Macleod, Alta.
Edmonton
-
Kane hat trick fuels Oilers 4-1 win over Flames to take series lead
Evander Kane scored a natural hat trick during an electric six-minute span and captain Connor McDavid provided more magic with three assists in another dominant performance as the Edmonton Oilers downed the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series.
-
Family of man killed in Chinatown attack hope for solutions to create a safer community
Family members remember one of the men killed in Chinatown this week as a kind and hardworking man, and hope that his needless death will lead to change.
-
'Will change the lake': Residents worry about proposed feedlot operation near Pigeon Lake, Alta.
Residents south of Edmonton are concerned about a proposed feedlot near Pigeon Lake.
Vancouver
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Ceremony opens daylong memorial marking graves detection at site of Canada's largest residential school
A daylong memorial began Monday in Kamloops, B.C., at the site of what was once Canada's largest residential school on the one-year anniversary of the announcement of the detection of unmarked graves.
-
B.C.'s rejected licence plate list includes GAS LOL, BONDVLN, WE VAPE
Some of British Columbia's more creative vehicle owners received bad news over the last two years: you can't put everything on a licence plate.
-
Inflation, supply chain and interest rate hikes lead to 'strategically' priced Vancouver real estate
CTV News spoke to a Realtor about what those involved in real estate at the luxury level should know before they start shopping.