To advance health equity and effective health care and in support of Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (NAN) aspirations for self-determination over matters of health, RNAO signed a new partnership with NAN on March 24.

This is a media release that RNAO issued on April 8.

RNAO continues to monitor the expansion of variants of concern, in particular B.1.1.7 (originally identified in the UK), B.1.351 (originally identified in South Africa), and P.1 (originally identified in Brazil). B.1.1.7 is already dominant in Ontario and P.1 is expanding in BC, Alberta and Ontario. RNAO is watchful for public health measures that target people’s crowding and movement from region to region, as well as the speed and effectiveness of the vaccine rollout to vulnerable persons and regional/workplace hotspots.

Ontario’s health system is on the precipice of collapse and nothing short of a complete lockdown and stay-at-home order are needed to combat a fast and furious third wave of COVID-19 says the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). On Thursday (April 1), Premier Doug Ford announced what he is calling a province-wide 28-day “shutdown”. Under the plan, indoor dining and outdoor patio dining will no longer be permitted, with restaurants only able to offer take-out and delivery. Personal care services such as hair salons and barber shops will not be allowed to operate. However, under the government’s plan, many non-essential businesses will remain open with 25 per cent capacity, along with indoor religious services operating at 15 per cent capacity.