Jean-Marc Lalonde arena chosen as mass vaccination center

Good Morning! Welcome to your latest TVC News. This week (Friday 12th March) in Clarence-Rockland's regional update:

An update on COVID-19 for Clarence-Rockland and Prescott-Russell;

Almost 13,000 vaccines have been administered in the area as the Eastern Ontario Health Unit continues its vaccine rollout plan.

As the end of the first phase approaches, the EOHU is working alongside municipalities to identify locations for mass immunization centers which will accommodate the start of the rollout for those outside of care.

Residents of 80 years or older will likely start receiving their vaccines from the 15th of march according Dr. Roumeliotis of the EOHU.

Vaccinations will take place locally at one of 6 mass immunization centers, with the Jean-Marc Lalonde Arena hosting the vaccination staff in Clarence-Rockland, as the Director of Protective Services, Pierre Voisine, told us.

With only six vaccination centers open across the EOHU region questions were asked as to why it would seem arenas were the only buildings looked at…

As we approach the one year anniversary of the first lockdown and the start of this global pandemic our local numbers continue to stabilize.

In Prescott-Russell there are currently 40 active cases, of which 14 are in Clarence-Rockland.

Worries do remain over the new variants, known as VOCs.

To date, there have been 15 detected in the area and Dr. Roumeliotis has urged everyone once again to follow all health measures as we now edge closer to the red zone - which would entail further restrictions.

Dr. Roumeliotis also confirmed that those receiving Pfzier and Moderna vaccines will have to wait longer for their second shot, though there are some exceptions some exceptions…

South Nation Conservation issue warning over rising water levels;

With the warming weather this week, South Nation Conservation have issued a yellow warning over rapidly rising water levels in rivers across the region.

This is due to the significant amount of snowpack that is expected to melt, changing the water flow as well as it’s levels.

SNC have advised residents to stay away from rivers as the weather forecast may rapidly increase river flows and banks might be unstable and slippery.

It is also vitally important to explain these dangers to your children.

This comes as a reminder to have a plan in place in case of an emergency, don’t wait until the last minute to get prepared.

We will be speaking to a representative from the Ottawa River over the next couple of weeks to discuss this year’s flooding risks and what people can do to prepare.

And a local business is forced to close their doors.

A few months ago, here on TVC22, we spoke to a local business owner who was struggling having opened her store at the start of the pandemic.

Despite being a new business and in dire need of financial aid she was falling through the cracks of the government aide schemes and unfortunately, months later, the situation hasn’t improved.

This week host Thomas Stockting spoke to Jill Wright, owner of Heart’s Content Consignments as she is left with no option but to close her store here in Clarence-Rockland…