durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 4 P: 905-430-4300 E: info@whitby.ca whitby.ca What You Need To Know This Week in Whitby Get Involved The Town is looking for 100+ volunteers to support the 15 boards and committees that advise Council on diversity, active transportation, heritage, accessibility, and more. Scan the QR code to apply by November 28 or learn more at whitby.ca/AdvisoryCommittees Town's Financial Statements Did you know the Town's financial statements are available to the public? The Town's consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Learn more at whitby.ca/Budget Last Chance To Have Your Say: New Skatepark And Pump Track Design The Town is planning to construct a Skatepark and Pump Track at the future Whitby Sports Complex, and we want to hear from you. View the proposed design and share a comment by November 18 at connectwhitby.ca/SportsComplex Looking for something fun to do this holiday season? We've got you covered! From Whitby Lights the Night, to Christmas in the Village, to the Downtown Whitby BIA's Christmas Market, to the Santa Claus Parade, mark your calendars and learn more about all the activities available to get you in the festive spirit: whitby.ca/Events cine at Lakeridge Health. "The number of children that are admitted to hospital lately is two to three times more than we are seeing at this time of year, according to our pediatric head and our infectious disease head," said Howlett. "They are running out of pediatric beds and we are seeing an uptick in respiratory illnesses," he said. Howlett said that "last week there were 30 people waiting in one of our hospitals and half of them were children." The largest increase in admissions over the two month period was at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, which saw a 538 per cent increase, from eight to 51 patients under 18. The increases at Lakeridge Health Port Perry were 400 per cent (from six to 30 patients), 320 per cent at Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering (15 to 63 patients) and 215 per cent at Lakeridge Health Oshawa (33 to 104 patients). Howlett points to a significant increase in the latter part of October in the number of COVID-19 cases, as well as a rise in influenza A, a rise in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other respiratory viruses that are increasing right now. One of those bringing her child to Lakeridge Health Oshawa's ER on Oct. 27 was Heather Windsor Rennie of Whitby, who brought in 22-month-old daughter Nova. "My daughter was admitted (to the ER) for two days mainly for an ear infection, but she still had a cough, and deep chesty breathing that sounded like croup," Windsor Rennie said. Nova was swabbed and came back positive for RSV, which is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. The virus infects the lungs and breathing passages and can cause breathing problems. Rennie Windsor said NEWS See DOCTORS, page 6 Lakeridge Health advises that these pharmacies have children's Tylenol and Advil advailable in compounding form. However, make sure you call the pharmacy before you go to see if a doctor's prescription is required. Lakeridge Health graphic Continued from page 3 'I WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE REST OF THE WINTER'S GOING TO BE LIKE IF WE'RE JUST IN NOVEMBER'