This website provides updated information about services and supports in Durham Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information on our website is coordinated with the Durham Housing Advisory Network’s daily Service Updates. We are grateful to all the service providers who are continuing to provide services one way or another during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for sharing information about their services with us for you.
We are in this together.
☀ 🌡Signs of Heat Exhaustion and What to Do 🌡☀
Please continue to be vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion that you may see. These include: cool, moist skin with goosebumps in the heat, heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea or headache.
People experiencing these symptoms should stop activity, take off extra clothing, move to a cooler place and drink water or sports drinks.
If you are with someone showing signs of heat exhaustion, seek immediate medical attention if he or she becomes confused or agitated, loses consciousness, is unable to drink, or if you are concerned for any other reason.
DURHAM REGION HEAT WARNING AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (HWIS)
Durham Region Health Department gives local municipalities and community partners early notification of extreme heat events as they have services for those who are more vulnerable to heat. To subscribe to early notification emails https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/extreme-heatand-humidity.aspx#subscribe
💧Cooling Locations
💧Oshawa
In the event that Environment and Climate Change Canada and Region of Durham declare an extreme heat event for Oshawa, cooling centres will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the following City recreation facilities:
- South Oshawa Community Centre – 1455 Cedar Street
- Arts Resource Centres – 45 Queen Street
The health and safety of our community members and staff is the City’s top priority. Cooling centre users will have access to washrooms and drinking water. The cooling centres will follow safety protocols (including protocols for screening, entry, exiting and cleaning) and adhere to health authority guidelines to ensure users can practise physical distancing.
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (A.O.D.A.), the City’s public buildings welcome service animals; pets cannot be accommodated in the cooling centre locations.
https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/cooling-centres.asp
💧Ajax Public Library
To provide relief for Town of Ajax residents during heat alerts, the Main Branch of Ajax Public Library will act as a Temporary Cooling Centre, starting Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
Hours of operation for the Temporary Cooling Centre will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, while heat warnings for the Region remain in effect.
The Library is following Durham Region Public Health’s guidelines for operating a cooling centre. These include having a controlled access, separate entrance and egress, providing masks and gloves to customers, providing access the hygiene stations, social distancing and increased cleaning. No Library services (other than Wifi) are permitted.
Within Main Branch, the Rotary Room has been selected as the designated cooling area. Residents will access the branch via the Harwood Ave doors only, with access controlled by a security guard who will manage sign-in, screening and monitoring capacity.
Exterior and interior signage will advise residents on access points, wayfaring and instructional/behavioural expectations while in-branch. For additional questions/concerns, please call us at 289.943.5001 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
💧Pickering
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Centre 11 am – 6 pm
1867 Valley Farm Road
· Leashed pets are welcome provided they are well controlled by their owner
· Extra seating and water is provided in the banquet hall
Services (click below)
Supports (click below)
