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Dear Friends,

As we all see, hear and experience each day, the situation with the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to evolve in each of our communities, across the diocese, province, country and world. There are many positives, in particular the rollout of vaccines to more and more people. Our governments, and in particular our Health Units/Officers of Health continue to be vigilant in monitoring the spreading of this deadly virus and our ability to limit and manage its impacts.

While the increased levels of immunization create hope and promise to get us to a much better place in the longer term, we are seeing some troubling trends in the immediate situation. The “Variants” of the virus are rapidly spreading. These have proven to be more contagious and in some cases more serious or deadly than the original virus. In the last few weeks, all three of the Health Units in our diocese are seeing the numbers of active cases rising as well as  new B.1.1.7.1 Variant rates increasing. Hastings & Prince Edward is in the Green Stage of the provincial structure and remain fairly low. Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington remain in the Green stage however the numbers have risen rapidly. Leeds, Grenville & Lanark have recently moved to Yellow and the numbers continue to rise rapidly.  Based on the current numbers and trends, it is reasonable to assume that there will be further change in the levels within the Province’s Response Framework...[more].