More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Sudbury, Timmins & Thunder Bay

More cases were confirmed in the region over the weekend.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported two more late Friday - bringing its total to 214 - though it also recorded nine more "resolved" cases over the weekend, bringing its "active" cases down to thirteen.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 106th case - like the 105th, located in Timmins - leaving it with four "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported eleven more cases in the Thunder Bay area - eight from close contact with a known case, the others are unknown - that brings its total to 218, 69 of which are "active", with a facility-wide outbreak declared at a Thunder Bay long-term care home.

As of this morning, that region has now joined the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - among others - in the yellow "protect" category of Ontario's tiered restriction framework.

Algoma Public Health currently has one "active" case out of the 58 it has reported.

Rotary Club of Wawa Launches Online Auction

Rotary Club of Wawa is taking its annual Radio Auction online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Club President Liz Talian-Clarke explains the club is holding its first ever Rotary Online Auction after cancelling the spring event due to the pandemic - after a number of items had already been donated.

Talian-Clarke notes it's quite simple: just go to the site and sign up.

Talian-Clarke adds you can bid often or even set up automatic bids to a certain amount, expressing hope that the change to a multi-day event will help raise more money.

The Rotary Online Auction starts today, continuing until 11 pm Saturday.

Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory Lifted

Some good news for Chapleau residents: the town's drinking water advisory is over.

Issued Wednesday night - after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the Water Treatment Plant - the advisory was lifted Saturday, with Public Health Sudbury and Districts Health Protection Division Manager Burgess Hawkins explaining "the bacteriological quality of the water supply has been tested with no adverse results being reported".

He adds "residents in the affected areas may notice chlorine odours and discoloured water", recommending those who do run cold water faucets for five minutes or until the water runs clear, run water softeners through a regeneration cycle, drain and refill water heaters, and remove and rinse faucet screens.

The Township is reminding citizens should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours, adding that emergency preparedness information is available at its website or the Civic Centre.

Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory Continues

Chapleau residents are being warned against consuming the water - but there is an option to get some usable water.

While the Township says a drinking water advisory remains in effect, it has received permission to distribute potable water to residents who attend the Water Treatment Plant with their own containers, with supervised watering stations open from 8 am to 6 pm today, and from 9 am to noon tomorrow - residents are reminded to adhere to public health guidelines for COVID-19.

The advisory was issued Wednesday night, after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant - pressure's since been restored, but Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water".

It won't be lifted until after testing of two water samples taken 24 hours apart - the health unit will then review the results and decide whether to lift the advisory.

Until then, residents are reminded not to use the water for human consumption, such as: brushing teeth; washing uncooked fruits and vegetables; cooking; drinking; or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking.

The water can be used for laundry or bathing, but not small children who could swallow it.

Chapleau Setting Up Watering Stations Amid Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau remains under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant last night - but residents are being offered a way to get water.

The Township says it has received permission to distribute potable water to residents who attend the Water Treatment Plant with their own containers, with supervised watering stations open until 8 o'clock tonight, from 8 am to 6 pm tomorrow, and from 9 am to noon on Saturday - residents are reminded to adhere to public health guidelines for COVID-19.

The advisory was issued last night, after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plan - while pressure's since been restored, Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", advising against using the water for human consumption until testing indicates it's safe.

According to the Township, a flushing program was performed last night, with results showing the discolouration was minimal and chlorine residual levels were within the acceptable range, but the advisory can't be lifted until testing of two water samples taken 24 hours apart - the health unit will then review the results and decide whether to lift the advisory.

Until then, residents are reminded not to the water for: brushing teeth; washing uncooked fruits and vegetables; cooking; drinking; or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking.

The water can still be used for laundry or bathing, but not for small children who could swallow it.

More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Region

Several more cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 211th case, which is located in Greater Sudbury and stems from close contact with a previously confirmed case - that leaves it with 22 "active" cases.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 105th case - which is located in Timmins, and is still under investigation - leaving it with three "active", while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting eleven more - all in the Thunder Bay area, stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing its total to 200, 58 of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health - which last reports a case on Sunday - has three "active".

Update on Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau remains under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant last night.

While the Township says the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant, it notes pressure's since been restored, though a drinking water advisory's in effect until further notice, as Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss of pressure "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", advising against using the water for human consumption until testing indicates it's safe.

That means residents should not use the water for such as brushing teeth, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, cooking, drinking, or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking - though the water can still be used for laundry or bathing, but not for small children who could swallow it.

The Township flushed the water mains last night, as the loss of pressure caused sediment in the water mains to be "agitated", resulting in discolouration, though it adds this may need to be repeated, depending on water sample test results.

Chapleau Under Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau's under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant.

A statement from the Township explains the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant last night, and - even though pressure's been restored - a drinking water advisory's in effect until further notice.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns residents should not use the water for human consumption - such as drinking, making juice, infant formula, or ice, cooking, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - further warning boiling the water still may not make it safe for drinking - instead, it advises an alternate source like bottled water should be used, though it should still be boiled for making infant formula.

The health unit does note the water can still be used for laundry or bathing, though not for bathing small children who could swallow the water.

Health Protection Division Manager Burgess Hawkins explains the advisory, noting "the loss of water pressure created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", and "until bacteriological testing of the drinking water indicates a safe supply, the drinking water advisory will remain in effect as a precaution".

Those seeking more information about the advisory are referred to the health unit.

More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Neighbouring Regions

Dozens of new cases have been confirmed in the Thunder Bay area.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting a total of 24 new cases - it's unclear how two of the people were exposed, while the others stem from close contact with a known case.

An outbreak's also been declared at a Thunder Bay long-term care home, as a staff member tested positive - so far, no-one else at the facility have been identified as showing symptoms.

This brings that health unit to 189 reported cases, 52 of which are currently "active" - including one in hospital.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported its 105th case - leaving it with three "active" - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has 21 "active" and Algoma Public Health has four.

PHSD Reports 210th COVID-19 Case

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Figures on the Public Health Sudbury and Districts website show 210 total cases - up one from yesterday, evidently located in Greater Sudbury and stemming from close contact with a previously confirmed case.

Sixteen more cases are now considered "resolved", leaving the health unit with 27 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed five more cases in the Thunder Bay area - all stemming from close contact with known cases - bringing its total cases to 165, 41 of which are "active", all in the Thunder Bay area.

Algoma Public Health's recorded several more "resolved" cases - leaving it with four "active" - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has two "active" cases.

Chapleau to Seek PUC Board Members

Chapleau will be looking for prospective members of the Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation (Chapleau Hydro)'s board of directors.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains there are five members of the board, with three of those seats open, due to changes made early in his term, staggering their terms.

Mayor Levesque says the three "civilian" members are able to re-apply, but all interested residents are encouraged to apply.

The other two seats are filled by Council members, which change in line with Council terms.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, with the agenda including a COVID-19 update, a "Continuity of Operations Plan", and annual review of the procedural by-law.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, set to include resolutions rescheduling December meetings and supporting a 2nd annual Ice Candle Celebration Day, and a by-law to adopt a new Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees.

There are also four "in-camera" items: a personnel issue about staffing; a legal issue about employee benefits; a legal issue relating to a Code of Conduct complaint; and a "corporate matter" about "Municipal Transformation".

Aside from the "in-camera" portion, the meetings will broadcast on the Muncipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 tonight.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Algoma & Sudbury

Algoma's confirmed its 58th case of COVID-19.

The health unit says the case stems from close contact with a known case, and is located in the Central and East Algoma area - it adds there is evidence of community spread in that region, which has seen fewer than five cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Combined with more recoveries, APH has ten "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has confirmed two more cases - bringing its total to 209 - one is located in Greater Sudbury and stems from an outbreak - the health unit's only reporting one at this time, at Pioneer Manor in Greater Sudbury - though details about the other case aren't being provided, as the health unit has changed how it reports cases, dropping individual case announcements in favour of twice daily updates of figures on weekdays, or once per day on weekends.

PHSD - which entered the province's yellow "Protect" category of restrictions at midnight this morning - currently has 43 "active" cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed twelve more cases in the Thunder Bay area over the weekend - leaving it with 37 "active" cases, while the Porcupine Health Unit has three "active" cases.

ADSB Students Staying Home for "Transition Day"

Algoma District School Board students are staying home today, as the board transitions its elementary schools to a hybrid learning model.

The English public school board says elementary and secondary students are staying home for a "transition" day, having been provided with work on Friday.

Students can have "touch base time" with teachers via Microsoft Teams - for elementary students, it's 1:30 pm to 2 pm and for secondary students, it's 11 am to 11:30 am with their morning teacher and 2 pm to 2:30 pm with their afternoon teacher.

The move comes as the board's reorganizing elementary classrooms to blend virtual and physical students into one class, expected to be the final re-shuffle of the year, helping alleviate a teacher shortage.

High school students are not swapping to a hybrid model, though they are transitioning to "a new quadmester", with the hybrid model to be considered for the second semester, which starts in February.

Chapleau Council Hopes for Improvements to Truck Load Check

Chapleau's hoping for some improvements to a truck load check just outside of town.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains Town Council is concerned that the spot on Highway 129 has been getting "ugly and messy" as there is no trash receptacle or porta-potty, unlike other areas.

Mayor Levesque says Council's putting the request to the Ministry of Transportation.

PHSD Reports More COVID-19 Cases While Moving to Yellow "Protect" Category

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a few more COVID-19 cases, as tighter restrictions are implemented for the region.

The provincial government announced late Friday that the health unit is entering the yellow "Protect" category of its recently implemented tiered restriction framework, limiting hours of operation for certain settings, reducing recreational program sizes, adding enforcement and fines, and enhancing education for high-risk settings.

Speaking Friday, the health unit's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, noted case counts were at an all-time high with 42 of its 204 total cases reported over the previous week - and an average of 12 "high risk" contacts for each case - emphasizing the tougher restrictions "must be accompanied by a re-commitment of everyone to the basic public health prevention measures", limiting travel outside the home to essential purposes, limiting in-person social interactions to those in your household, staying home if you have any symptoms of illness - even mild - physically distancing and wearing proper face coverings properly while out, and practising proper hand washing.

The health unit reported three more cases over the weekend - two in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District - one is outbreak-related, the other two still under investigation - the only active outbreak in the region is the Pioneer Manor long-term care home in Greater Sudbury, though the health unit warns of potential high-risk exposure for anyone who attended the Foothill Farm Service farm equipment garage in Massey between November 4th and 6th.

PHSD has reported a total of 207 cases, 51 of which are still "active", while Algoma Public Health has 12 "active" - it remains in the green "Prevent" category.

Local MP Wants Tourism and Hospitality Jobs Protected

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing's NDP MP is calling on the federal government to protect tourism and hospitality jobs.

Citing speculation about bailouts for airlines, Carol Hughes notes travel-related businesses of all sizes are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, warning over 200,000 Canadian workplaces that support 1.8-million jobs are in danger, with the employees already facing numerous challenges due to the part-time or seasonal nature of many of the jobs, let alone the closures, stunted openings, and changes to pandemic relief programs.

In response, Hughes is calling for "sectoral relief" for the hospitality and air transport sectors to be contingent on full participation in the federal wage subsidy program, tying existing jobs to recovery efforts and ensuring the workers continue to receive a paycheque, though she also wants the government to make support conditional on a right of first refusal for laid off hospitality and tourism workers, as they currently have no guarantee former employers will restore their jobs or offer them back when the pandemic subsides.

PHSD Reports 12 More COVID-19 Cases

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting several more cases.

The health unit has confirmed twelve more - nine in Greater Sudbury, three in unspecified Sudbury District communities - seven are outbreak-related - the health unit has reported one at the Pioneer Manor long-term care home in Greater Sudbury - while one stems from close contact with a known case, and the other four are still under investigation.

It brings the health unit's total to 204, 66 of which are currently "active".

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting five more cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing its total to 148, 29 of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health - which reported its 57th case Tuesday night - currently has twelve "active" - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - while the Porcupine Health Unit has four.

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