October 26, 2020

October 26, 2020 5:55 am Published by Jen Marsh

October 26rd is the 300th day of the year. There are 66 days remaining until the end of the year.

C-K Public Health Unit is reporting as of Friday afternoon, there are a total of 388 cases, 16 of which are currently active.

Over the weekend, the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has contacted dozens of people who may have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 during a blood donor clinic held last week in Chatham.

Health officials confirmed 1,042 new COVID-19 cases in Ontario on Sunday. It comes after the province saw 978 infections on Saturday.

The majority of cases were found in Ontario’s four COVID-19 hotspots, which are currently in a modified Stage 2. There are 309 new cases in Toronto, 289 in Peel Region, 117 in York Region and 80 in Ottawa.

The local public and Catholic school boards are offering support to its school communities as it recognizes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on one’s mental wellbeing.

A couple of resources are available for students and caregivers under the Catholic school board. Referrals for counselling services can be made by a teacher or through self-referral by filling out an online form. Once a form is submitted, individuals will be contacted within 72 hours.

For immediate mental health supports, students or caregivers can text 226-402-1593 or visit the Mental Health and Wellbeing website.

Director of Education for the Lambton-Kent Public District School Board John Howitt said like the Catholic board, counselling services are available. However, referrals are done by school principals.

Since most large events such as the Dresden Christmas Night Market were placed on hold during the pandemic, organizers said they were motivated to bring the community together with an ambitious goal to decorate as many buildings as possible.

Dresden Shines is a collaborative effort between several community groups and organizations that will be decorating homes and businesses with lights as well as hosting a series of safe, family-friendly activities throughout the holiday season.

Organizers are encouraging Dresden and area residents to decorate their homes with lights as part of the Illumination Tour. The initiative will give residents and visitors the opportunity to drive throughout the community and enjoy the displays.

More information will be made available on the event’s social media pages as well as on Dresden’s official website.

Anyone interested in volunteering can email organizers at DresdenShines@dresden.ca.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture destroyed the first nest of Asian giant hornets, also known as the “murder hornets,” by vacuuming the insects out of a tree near Blaine, Washington.

Crews wearing thick protective suits vacuumed the invasive insects from the cavity of a tree into large canisters Saturday. The suits prevent the hornets’ 6-millimeter-long stingers from hurting workers, who also wore face shields because the trapped hornets can spit a painful venom into their eyes.

The nest was found after the state Agriculture Department trapped some hornets this week and used dental floss to attach radio trackers to some of them.