April 1, 2021 Vol. 21, No. 13
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Covid Case Counts Up In South, Central Frontenac, As Vaccinate Rates Mount by Jeff Green OVID outbreaks at Queen’s University in Kingston and at Land O’Lakes Elementary School in Mountain Grove caused concerns in recent weeks, they seem to be resolving without resulting in significant community transmission, if any.
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The 5 cases associated with the Land O’Lakes are all listed as resolved on the Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health (KFLAPH) COVID dashboard. Other cases have been creeping up, however. In the week between March 22 and March 29, 6 new cases were confirmed among South Frontenac residents and 3 among Central Frontenac residents. At the same time, there were 24 new cases in Kingston. When population density is considered, however, the levels in the rural townships gain a bit of context. The 3 Central Frontenac cases, on a cases per population of 100,000, translate to almost 70 per 100,000, well into the Red zone. The 6 cases in South Frontenac, translates to 32 cases, in the orange zone. The 24 Kingston cases, on the
other hand, represent only about 11 per 100,000, barely in the yellow zone. (Ed note - These numbers can be misleading because with smaller sample sizes drawing statistical conclusions is less reliable.) At the same time, thanks to multiple vaccination streams, the percentage of KFL&A residents who have been vaccinated is increasing. As of March 29, 76.7% of the over 80-year old population in KFL&A had received at least 1 dose, as had 25% of those who are between 75 and 79, and 16.7% of residents aged between 70 and 74. The impact of the pharmacy pilot project has been felt as well. 68.8% of those between 60 and 64 had received one dose, as had an even 25% of those between 65 and 69 (the Astrazeneca vaccine, used in the pilot, was re-classified for use in the over 65 population a week into the 3 - week project). The single dose vaccination rates for everyone in the region who is between 16 and 59 ranges from 10% to 13% by age group. The recipients of these vaccines are mostly
essential health care workers and people with compromised immune systems. Over the “eligible population”, people 16 and over, 22.7% of KFL&A residents had received at least one dose of vaccine and 1.4% had received 2 doses by Monday. That percentage compared favourably with Ontario and Canada, which were at 14.5% and 15% respectively. Over 41,000 KFL&A residents had received at least one dose, and the average number of vaccinations per day over the previous week was about 1,500, down from over 2,000 the week before. The pharmacy vaccination pilot project ends this week, and there have been no updates as to when new vaccines will arrive at pharmacies. Ontario announced on Monday, that the Astrazeneca vaccine, which is the one that has been used in pharmacies thus far, will only be used on people over 55 for the time being. Dr. Moore of Public Health, indicated last week that the region will be receiving 5,000 Pfizer doses per week, for the upcoming next four weeks, in addition to a still undetermined amount of Moderna vaccines.■
Verona, The Movie; Filming In June by Jeff Green ebastian Back grew up near Verona, and has since moved to Toronto, where he attended film school.
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He wrote the screenplay for this, his first film, which he describes as a “humid slice of life from a forested suburb. Four dreamy summer days shifting between Camila's deteriorating relationship with her girlfriend, her mother's wanderlust, and her father's reckoning with his traumatic past.” Although the storyline of the film is not specific to any particular location, Sebastian’s memories of his youth are strong, and he has always envisioned the film as a story taking place just outside of Verona. “I went to Prince Charles, played at the beach, and all of that left an impression on me. When I come back here, Verona looks and feels like it did when I left in 2007,” he said. “It fits the way I see this film in my head.” The fact that Verona shares its name with Verona, Italy, one of the most famous cities in the world and the setting for numerous iconic romantic films, is something that also appealed to Sebastian, and Maeve Kern, the film’s producer. The project received a first film grant from Telefilm Canada and plans are coming into place for 18 days of shooting in June, all in the Verona area. “There are a lot of COVID rules that we need to follow, and everything is run through the Kingston film office,” said Maeve Kern. The film’s actors and crew will form a bubble, and will be housed at an empty
Queen’s residence during the filming. In addition to filming the interior scenes in local houses, some location shooting will take place in ‘downtown Verona’, at the Verona Convenience Store and Trinity United Church, among other possible locations. Maeve Kern and Sebastian Back were in Verona last weekend looking at sites and making arrangements for filming. They have also compiled an eclectic list of things they are hoping people in the region will consider loaning to them, for use in the film. The list of props includes: taxidermy animals (deer, bulls, etc), a hearse, and a well trained german shepherd dog. They are looking for some vehicles: a convertible car, a sedan, 2 pick-up trucks, an SUV and a dirt bike. They also need some locations: a house (for 3-7 days filming), a backyard with a fire pit, a field of cows, and a grocery store. Finally, what would a small town film shoot be without an opportunity for some locals to have a chance to become a star We are looking for local individuals who may be interested in acting as background extras, during a church congregation scene and a party scene. No experience acting is necessary. The roles are open to any ethnicity/gender, age 15 plus,” said Maeve Kern. Anyone interested in any of the above is welcome to email veronathefilm@gmail. com for further information. ■
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Filmmakers Sebastian Back and Maeve Kern were in Verona last weekend looking at sites and making arrangements for filming.
Search Continues For Missing Boy
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hree- year old Jude Leyton went missing from a location near Fermoy on Canoe Lake Road, 10 minutes southeast of Westport at midday on Sunday (March 28).
A concentrate search has been conducted under the leadership of the Ontario Provincial Police ever since. As of Tuesday, March 30 at noon, the search was continuing. A helicopters, canine units, and dive teams were engaged, as well as OPP officers on foot. A Frontenac Paramedic Services ambulance has been on standby at the site. “Information from the family, lead OPP uniform members, Emergency Response Team
(ERT), Canine Unit, and the Marine Unit continue to search the area and ERT members continued the search overnight. The search is continuing with the OPP helicopter assisting and updates will be provided” said an OPP release on Monday afternoon. “Search continues for missing 3-year old boy in South Frontenac. OPP utilizing extensive resources on land, in air and on local waterway. Trained volunteers with are assisting,” the OPP said at 2pm on Tuesday, March 30. (Updates to this story will be posted on Frontenacnews.ca) ■
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