Ottawa Public Health is reporting a significant increase in flu test positivity in the city.

Flu data show a test positivity rate of 23.4% for the week of November 13-19 out of 688 tests, compared to 10.9% for the week of November 6-12 out of 625 tests and 9.4% the previous week. out of 544 tests. According to DPO data showing the average of the past three years, flu test positivity peaked in early February at around 9.5%.

There have been 123 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Ottawa so far this flu season, including 51 cases reported from Nov. 13-19, compared to 25 for the week of Nov. 6-12.

Of all the cases reported so far, 13% have been in children under the age of five, 21% in people aged 5-19, 38% in adults 20-64 and 28% in people aged 65 and over. more. The majority of cases are influenza A.

“To control both COVID-19 and the flu and keep our community safe, we ask all residents to continue to follow public health measures,” says Ottawa Public Health.

INFLUENZA EPIDEMICS

• 1 in a hospital
• 1 in a retirement home

A full list of locations with active outbreaks is available at OPS Outbreak Dashboard.

TWO COVID-19 DEATHS IN OTTAWA OVER THE WEEKEND

OPH also reported two new deaths from COVID-19 in the city over the weekend.

To date, 963 people in Ottawa have died from COVID-19, with 383 COVID-19 deaths reported this year.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are down, with OPH reporting 11 residents hospitalized with an active COVID-19 infection, down from 36 last Tuesday.

OPH hospitalization figures only represent Ottawa residents who are hospitalized with an active case of COVID-19. Local hospitals are reporting higher numbers, which include patients who were admitted for reasons other than COVID-19 but tested positive and patients who are not from Ottawa.

• The Ottawa Hospital: 66 patients
• Queensway Carleton Hospital: five patients
• Hôpital Montfort: 19 patients (as of November 18)
• CHEO: Three patients

The COVID-19 sewage signal also tends to drop.

The COVID-19 sewage signal tends to drop. (613covid.ca/wastewater)

KEY STATISTICS ON COVID-19 IN OTTAWA

• COVID-19 cases per 100,000 (November 14-20): 23.9
• Seven-day average positivity rate in the Ottawa community, including long-term care: 14.6%
• Known active cases: 302

COVID-19 VACCINES IN OTTAWA

Updated November 14.

• Ottawa residents with 1 dose (5+): 923,306
• Ottawa residents with 2 doses (5+): 890,630
• Ottawa residents with 3 doses (5+): 606,755
• Ottawa residents with 4 doses (12+): 283,320
• Percentage of the population aged five and over having received at least one dose: 93%
• Proportion of the population aged five and over receiving at least two doses: 90%
• Proportion of the population aged five and over receiving at least three doses: 61%
• Percentage of the population aged 12 and over having received at least four doses: 31%

*Statistics for Ottawa residents who received one or more doses include anyone with an Ottawa postal code who was vaccinated anywhere in Ontario.

AROUND THE REGION

• Eastern Ontario Health Unit: 12 in hospital, 2 in intensive care
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health: 7 in hospital, 2 in intensive care (updated Tuesdays only)
• Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health: 31 in hospital, 4 in intensive care (updated Tuesdays only)
• Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit: 9 in hospital, 1 in intensive care (updated Tuesdays)
• Renfrew County and District Health Unit: 3 in hospital, 0 in intensive care (updated Thursdays)
• Outaouais (Gatineau and western Quebec): 71 in hospital, 0 in intensive care

COVID-19 OUTBREAKS

Ottawa Public Health is currently reporting active outbreaks in the following locations

• 11 in hospitals
• 6 in long-term care homes
• 10 in retirement homes
• 1 in a group home
• 1 in a shelter

A full list of locations with active outbreaks is available at OPH COVID-19 Outbreak Dashboard.

CITY OF BAGUIO: As the Christmas season is in full swing, the summer capital continues to be under low risk status (Tier 1) in terms of Covid-19 infections despite the city’s growth rate peaking in two weeks less 2% to 44% of cases.

At the regular meeting of the Local Officials Management Committee on November 8, 2022, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Health Officer Rowena Galpo said the city’s Covid-19 positivity rate over the past last two weeks had also fallen from 8.34% to 18.57%, while its weekly infection rate rose slightly from 1.15% to 1.62%.

Galpo also said that the city’s average daily attack rate over the same period increased from 3.2/100,000 to 4.6/100,000 while average tests (reverse transcriptase chain reaction -polymerase) performed in the past two weeks increased from 136 to 108.

The city’s hospital critical utilization rate increased from 12.93% to 19.79% (75/379), while isolation facility bed occupancy remained constant at 5.6 % (15/267).

As of November 5, Omicron remains the dominant Covid-19 variant of concern in the city, causing 70% of infections, Galpo said.

It is followed by the Delta variant at 17%; Alpha, 9%; and Beta, 4%, she added.

DENVER (KDVRName) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and EnvironmentThe COVID-19 data dashboard shows cases are at their highest in our state since late August.

On Monday, the state’s seven-day positivity rate was 9.8%. The positivity rate measures the number of positive COVID tests compared to the total number of tests performed.

According to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentincidence rates have increased over the past seven days.

There are three counties in the state with a high community level over the past week, the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention said.

1. Moffat County
2. Rio Blanco
3. Routt County

The CDC said communities with a high community level of COVID-19 should do the following:

Here is an overview positivity rate for each county over the past seven days:

• Adam: 9.7%
• Alamos: 13.4%
• Arapahoe: 9.6%
• Archuleta: 7.9%
• Baca: less than 10 tests last week
• Folded: 8.5%
• Rock: 9.4%
• Brush field: 11.9%
• Heat: 14.7%
• Cheyenne: 8.6%
• Clear stream: 8.3%
• Conejos: 17.9%
• Costille: 15.4%
• Crowley: 9.1%
• Custer: 16.7%
• Delta: 12.4%
• Denver: 9.6%
• Dolores: Less than 10 tests last week
• Douglas: 10.5%
• Eagle: 13%
• Not: 13%
• Elbert: 11.3%
• Fremont: 8.9%
• Garfield: 8%
• Gilpin: 7.1%
• Large: 2.7%
• Pistol: 10.1%
• Hinsdale: less than 10 tests last week
• Huerfano: 10.8%
• Jackson: less than 10 tests last week
• Jefferson: 8%
• Kiowa: Less than 10 tests last week
• Kit Carson: 20%
• La Plata: 14.4%
• Lake: less than 10 tests last week
• Larimer: 11.5%
• Las Animas: 2.7%
• Lincoln: 4.9%
• Logan: 2.9%
• Mesa: 18.3%
• Mineral: less than 10 tests last week
• Moffat: 3:15 p.m.
• Montezuma: 15.9%
• Monterose: 16.3%
• Morgana: 3.3%
• Other: 3%
• Ouray: 0.0%
• Park: 11.5%
• Phillips: 0.0%
• Pitkins: 22.9%
• Masters: 4.3%
• Peublo: 9.2%
• Rio Blanco: 31.5%
• Rio Grande: 5.5%
• Road: 13.7%
• Saguache: 14.3%
• San Juan: less than 10 tests last week
• San Miguel: 16.7%
• Sedgwick: less than 10 tests last week
• Peak: 16.6%
• Cashier: 14.3%
• Washington: 0.0%
• Welding: 10.5%
• Yuma: 1.9%

What is the percentage of positivity?

According Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the percentage positive is exactly what it sounds like: the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that are actually positive, or: (positive tests)/(total tests) x 100%. The percent positive (sometimes called the “percent positive rate” or “positivity rate”) helps public health officials answer questions such as:

• What is the current level of SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) transmission in the community?
• Are we testing enough for the number of people infected?

The percentage of positive results will be high if the number of positive tests is too high or if the total number of tests is too low. A higher percentage positive suggests higher transmission and that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who have not yet been tested, Johns Hopkins shared.

The need for positivity, and perhaps a few drinks, was palpable as Manawatū’s business community shrugged off Covid pressure to celebrate.

The biennial Manawatū Business Awards, which returned to its glitzier roots at the Awapuni Function Center on Friday night, celebrated companies that had made their mark despite the obstacles brought by the pandemic and the rising cost of living.

The big winner of the evening was Team dh, who won the coveted Supreme Business Award after being judged as the best large company and winning the construction, manufacturing and trades category.

The paint company, which also specializes in asbestos testing and removal, was praised by the judges for its modern premises, ease of doing business, diverse workforce, commitment social media and a positive work environment for its staff.

READ MORE:
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dh team manager Dave Hurn said the night exceeded all expectations.

“I came here to at least get feedback from the judges and see how I could improve the business.

“I’m so grateful to my staff and to come to this, I’m just overwhelmed.”

The accolades come on the heels of national recognition at the Master Painter of the Year Awards in October, where the DH team took home 13 awards.

Steve’s Tire Service in Palmerston North has won both the Small Business Award and the Spirit of Manawatū Award, which recognizes community investment and charitable giving.

In business for nearly a decade, owner Steve Deans and his team have been praised for their $10 flat tire repair initiative, with all proceeds going to Arohanui Hospice.

Deans said his wife joked that the business should have been in the not-for-profit category, but he said they believe strongly in community support.

“It’s not easy to start a business and we spent three or four years depending on my wife’s salary. But I was lucky to be mentored and to see people give things where the opportunity arose.

“We have grown to where we are today thanks to my staff who, you know, are just as passionate as I am… But most importantly, seeing the community coming back to us and supporting us is truly rewarding.”

A Lifetime Service Award went to Vicki and David Stewart, owners of Miter 10 Mega in Palmerston North.

The family bought the big-box hardware branch in 2015 after selling their longtime electrical business.

David Stewart said his family’s roots in Palmerston North retail go back to the 19th century and he would like his late father to come back for just one day to “look around him” and see what the business is up to. family had become.

Vicki Stewart shared the merits of the family’s “three S” mantra: People, Service and Stock.

The Nonprofit Business Excellence Award went to the Just Zilch Food Bank.

Upon receiving this honor, founder Rebecca Culver called for a new building so the service could expand and reach more of Manawatū’s most vulnerable residents.

Manawatū Chamber of Commerce CEO Amanda Linsley said the awards play an important role in promoting and strengthening economic development in the region, while being a showcase for other regions on “the vitality and the strength of our business community”.

The night was a sigh of relief for a business community that had been reeling from the aftermath of the pandemic. Daniel Goymer, chief sponsor Yorb’s technical director, described 2022 as “a year to remember, or perhaps forget.”

But there was hope and belief among the business leaders gathered that greener pastures awaited us in 2023.

“Hi new belly,” Ashley Graham wrote on Instagram Stories on Wednesday. “You are very different from what I am used to. But I like you. Accompanying a photo of her post-pregnancy belly — faded stretch marks, loose skin and all — the model reminded us all to appreciate our bodies in whatever form they take.

After giving birth to her twins, Roman and Malachi, in January, Graham kept it real on Instagram — just like she did after the birth of her first son, Isaac. Sharing photographs that document the realities of breastfeeding, as well as pregnancy itself and all the feelings, pains, and bodily changes in between, her account isn’t just a great place to visit for a dose of body positivity. , but also for the struggles and incredible realities of motherhood, no matter who you are. Which is comforting to say the least.

Graham joins Selena Gomez publicly celebrates her belly. In August, Gomez posted a TikTok in which she said “real stomachs are coming back,” as she frolicked on a yacht in a floral swimsuit. While as women we so often feel the need to “suck” our stomachs, Gomez let hers do its thing – and she looked sensational.

The message? No matter your shape, size, age, or race, it’s time to start loving yourself and every part of your body, no matter how they look. Selena and Ashley said so.

Editor’s Note: This is the latest in an occasional series about young leaders and entrepreneurs trying to make a difference in Texarkana.

TEXARKANA, Texas — When opportunity presents itself, Westlawn Elementary Principal Elodia Witterstaetter responds and welcomes new challenges to grow for herself, her family, her campus, and her community.

As a first-generation student, Witterstaetter earned multiple degrees, rose through the ranks in her career as an educator, and uses her experience and knowledge to encourage students, teachers, and her own children to achieve their goals, stay optimistic. and persevere through all obstacles.

“I personally think we’re taking this opportunity or turning our backs on this opportunity,” she said.

As a lifelong learner, she is currently continuing her education with the Bill Ratliff Academy for School Executives Alternative Superintendent Certification Program, in partnership with Region 8 ESC and Texas A&M University-Texarkana. She is expected to graduate in December.

“This program has given me a broader perspective in my current role as campus leader and how I can continue to align and support our goals and priorities for our districts,” she said.

Continuing her third year as Principal at Westlawn, Witterstaetter has worked to support teachers and help develop students who understand the value of being active members of their community and who also excel academically. The elementary campus is enrolled in FranklinCovey Education’s “The Leader In Me” program, encouraging students to explore the curriculum with an emphasis on leadership.

As if being responsible for more than 370 students in grades three through five wasn’t already a huge burden to bear, Witterstaetter began her journey as principal in July 2020, having to navigate the troubled waters of COVID-19. .

“In your head you think you’re ready for the role, but with COVID it was just uncharted territory,” she said.

Witterstaetter started as director with the introduction of virtual learning while trying to alleviate staffing issues caused by COVID.

“I feel like that year she became our beacon. When you think of the purpose of a light, she was our guide. During the pandemic, we were lost and in a sense it was a dark times for our school and our education as a whole,” Deputy Principal Kedrick Jones said.

The campus has returned to some normality, so Witterstaetter is now eager to grow as an administrator.

“Each year has brought so many new learnings,” she said. “The best part of all is seeing the growth of students and teachers, and I’m very proud of the work they do every day.”

Witterstaetter has worked at TISD for over 20 years.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some of the best of the best,” she said. “From the beginning of my career, I was surrounded by good mentors who allowed me to grow even in the most difficult moments.”

In 2003, she began working as a receptionist, then worked in various positions on TISD campuses as a public school volunteer campus contact, attendance clerk, and administrative assistant.

“Each position has given me the unique opportunity to learn and grow as a professional,” she said.

During her time in various school administrative positions, Witterstaetter pursued her teaching degree. In 2007, she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Texarkana College, and in 2009, she earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration in mathematics from A&M-Texarkana.

“I was one of the first to go through the Path to Education cohort, which got paraprofessionals into school, and through that program I got an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree here in Texarkana.”

The program allowed Witterstaetter to finally have his own classroom. She started at Texas Middle School as a seventh-grade math teacher and would stay there for several years.

In 2013, she earned a master’s degree in educational administration from A&M-Texarkana and eventually became vice-principal at Nash Elementary.

“One of my accomplishments that I was most proud of was being named TEPSA Region 8 Assistant Director of the Year 2020,” she said.

Community service is part of Witterstaetter’s mission as a leader. The 2019 Leadership Texarkana graduate is a member of the Junior League of Texarkana, the Tough Kookie organization, the Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association.

“I believe we all have a job to give back to our community,” Witterstaetter said. “Someone has invested in me, and so I pay for it by investing in other people as well.”

Being involved in various civic organizations has allowed Witterstaetter to see what Texarkana has to offer and how the community can keep young adults here. She hopes more businesses will cultivate relationships with teens in the community and give them the opportunity and experience to be involved in society.

As a mother of three — one enrolled at Texarkana College, another a senior in high school, and the youngest in sixth grade — Witterstaetter is determined to provide for her family and lead by example how they can become citizens. productive. Her daughter is particularly passionate about philanthropy.

“The fact that she was able to come with me to volunteer in the community ignited her fire,” Witterstaetter said. “She loves volunteering. She loves missionary work.”

Part of his passion to keep moving forward is to uplift others and hopefully light a fire in others. She does this on campus with her weekly memos full of positive quotes and celebrations and through her annual vision boards full of affirmations, uplifting phrases and goals for her and her staff to reflect on.

“When someone says, ‘You can do it,’ it really helps you move on,” she said.

A layer of frost crystallized on Bob Kovar’s winter coat as he lay face down on a snowy riverbank. Camera in hand, he waited for the first rays of sun to show up on the horizon and be reflected on the mirror of icy water stretched out in front of him.

But when he looked up from his perch on the riverbank, he couldn’t find the sun.

Instead, he found himself staring at a wolf.

“This wolf came and pounced around the corner,” Kovar recalled. “We’ve heard wolves howl here, but I’ve never seen one here. He just stood there, and I thought, ‘that’s why I’m here.’

Kovar barely left his bed of blankets that morning to brave the sub-zero temperature on his daily pre-sunrise hike to Wild Rice Lake. But he followed this ritual for years, rising early before the summer sun and sleeping later in the dark winters to photograph the sunrise.

This morning, like the hundreds of mornings before it, Kovar found the hike worthwhile.

“There are things waiting for us to find,” he says. “You can only find them if you are there.”

It is an experience that fills Kovar with wonder, awe, peace and appreciation. When COVID-19 hit, these were the feelings Kovar knew the world needed more of.

“When the pandemic started, I challenged myself to start writing with my images and posting something positive every morning on Facebook,” Kovar says.

The practice added an element of intentional gratitude to his mornings.

“I’m a cross-country skier and cyclist, so I know how to train my body to stay in shape,” he explains. “But those pathways for positive and negative thinking, not so much. When I started writing it took me a while, but I wanted to be positive because the world was so negative.

Soon Kovar’s Facebook page was more complete than his one-room studio.

A recent photo on her virtual wall shows the sun setting over a sea of ​​floating cranberries. Another shows a smiling moon burst through a tree with faded yellow leaves.

Some of Kovar’s positive messages are poetic. Others are more disjointed.

He compiled them all into one book.
“The book is separated into these different mood sections, so wonder and joy and things like that,” he says.

The book is called Under the eagle tree, referring to Kovar’s sunrise perch by the river.

We walk there together now, crunching a path of fallen leaves.

Kovar points to the eagle’s nest and, closer to the river, finds the spot where he saw the lone wolf.

“I was laying there by the dock,” he said. “He came around that point and wanted to play.”

There are no wolves today, but against the backdrop of gray skies, a trio of swans floats by.

“Before the sun comes up and lights up the whole sky, it’s beautiful,” Kovar says. “But it’s its brevity that really amazes me. It is this ephemeral beauty. If you are not there, often the clouds come and it looks like a gray day. But it started out absolutely wonderful.

“It’s enough to make you have a gray day sometimes.”

Golden Valley resident Ron Henderson encourages positive thinking in his ninth book, “Activate Your Inner Shark.”

“My book is about the process by which everyone becomes the best version of themselves,” Henderson said. “When you stage yourself correctly, you activate the inner shark within you and you can become a predator of positivity.”

Henderson says that self-staging, much like how you stage a home to look its best, requires changing your outlook and emotions so that you are no longer controlled by actions and the words of others. Henderson says people should practice not reacting to triggers in a negative way.

“That’s what I call self-staging. So if something irritates you, acknowledge it for what it is. It’s an irritation, but you don’t have to be negative about it,” Henderson said. “Just like you catch a fish. Catch it and let it go. You don’t let it consume you so you can continue to have a great day.

Henderson crafted his message from life experience and drew on his experience as a personal trainer.

You can find more of Henderson’s message in his book, which is available on Amazon.

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Downtown Brooklyn | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | golden valley | sugar bush | A new hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale

The personalities of the news

Trent Hammond remembers Sam Westmoreland as a player full of joy. He was just a sophomore during Hammond’s final 2020 season as Tupelo football coach.

Westmoreland’s infectious smile continued as he became a benchmark for the Golden Wave.

Tupelo coach Ty Hardin viewed Westmoreland as a leader full of positivity.

WHAT WE KNOW:Mississippi State football announces the death of freshman offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland

Westmoreland continued his football career and brought his spark to Mississippi State.

Westmoreland’s infectious smile continued as he became a benchmark for the Golden Wave. Tupelo coach Ty Hardin viewed Westmoreland as a leader full of positivity. Westmoreland continued his football career and brought his spark to Mississippi State.

Westmoreland, a first-year offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, died Wednesday. He was 18 years old.