Local Health Units Report Several More COVID-19 Cases

Several new COVID-19 cases were reported across the region this weekend.

Algoma Public Health confirmed nine more in the Sault Ste. Marie area and two in the Central and East Algoma - nearly all stem from close contact with a known case.

They bring the health unit to 121 cases, 49 "active" plus one "non-resident case" currently in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts saw cases jump by 27 - mostly in Greater Sudbury - hitting 345 total, 64 of which are "active".

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported two cases in the Kapuskasing area and fifteen in Timmins, including at least two workers at the Kidd Mine in Timmins, prompting an outbreak declaration there.

That brings the health unit to 160 cases, 31 "active", though two are currently outside its region.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed 25 - one in an unspecified First Nation community, the others in the Thunder Bay area - with three stemming from travel outside of northwestern Ontario.

That brings the health unit's to 662 cases, 67 "active", including three in hospital, two of them in the ICU.

It's also warning of "low risk exposure" on an Air Canada/Jazz flight from Toronto the Thunder Bay January 7th, a WestJet Encore flight from Toronto to Thunder Bay January 4th, and two on the 5th.

Gogama Water Advisory Lifted

Gogama's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory issued late last week - after mechanical issues caused a loss of water pressure for the municipal water system - has now been lifted, as tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption.

The health unit notes residents may notice chlorine odours or discoloured water, and suggests running cold water faucets or drinking fountains for five minutes or until the water runs clear, running water softeners through a regeneration cycle, draining and refilling hot water heaters, and removing and rinsing faucet screens to get rid of sediment.

Gogama Water Advisory After Mechanical Issues

Gogama's under a drinking water advisory after mechanical issues.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says there was a loss of water pressure and - while it's been restored restored - that "compromised the safety of the drinking water", so those who take their water from Gogama's municipal system are warned against using it for human consumption until testing confirms the water's safe.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported by Local Health Units

Algoma Public Health's reporting six more cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area - most stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit to 110 total cases, 45 of them reported since December 31st.

44 are currently "active", plus one "non-resident case" currently in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting fourteen more cases - eleven in Greater Sudbury, three in the Manitoulin District - bringing its total to 318, 46 currently "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed four more cases in the Thunder Bay area, and one more in an unspecified "district community" - one of the new cases stems from travel outside of northwestern Ontario.

That brings the health unit's total to 635, 49 still "active", including four in hospital.

The health unit's also warning of "low risk exposure" on an Air Canada/Jazz flight from Toronto to Thunder Bay December 28th, specifically rows 12 to 18.

The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - has seven more cases - five in the Timmins area, one in the Kapuskasing area, the other in the James and Hudson Bay region - bringing its total to 143, twelve "active", though two are self-isolating outside of the health unit's region.

Time Nearly Up for Wawa Website Photo Contest

Time is running out for Wawa photographers to get their pictures on the municipal website.

As part of the redesign of the website, the municipality's holding a photo contest in search of fifteen to twenty high-resolution photos of the community in all four seasons - but today is the deadline.

To submit a photo, email info@wawa.cc with "Photo Contest" in the subject line.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Thunder Bay and Other Parts of Region

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed eight more cases in the Thunder Bay area, with one more in an unspecified "district community" - one of the new cases stems from travel outside of northwestern Ontario.

That brings the health unit's total to 630, 54 of which are "active", including four in hospital, one in the ICU.

The health unit's also declared outbreaks at the Thunder Bay District Jail and Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, after two individuals associated with the facilities have been confirmed to have COVID-19.

The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - is reporting an outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing, as the health unit's 136th case is linked to the facility - the health unit has five "active" cases, though two are self-isolating outside of the health unit's region.

This comes as Algoma Public Health's declared an outbreak at the Great Northern Retirement Home in Sault Ste. Marie, after a staff member tested positive.

The health unit reported ten new cases in the Sault area last night - bringing the health unit's total to 104, 39 currently "active" with one "non-resident case" currently in the region - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts also reported ten new cases, bringing its total to 304, 32 of which are "active".

APH & PHSD Pass Unfortunate Milestones in COVID-19 Pandemic

Both local health units have surpassed key marks in COVID-19 cases.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed ten more in the Sault Ste. Marie area - nearly all stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit's total to 104 - 39 of them reported since December 31st, nearly all in the Sault area.

Additionally, it's warning of possible exposure on a December 28th Air Canada flight from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie, specifically rows three to nine and flight crew.

The health unit currently has 39 "active" cases, plus one "non-resident case" currently in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is also reporting ten new cases - seven in Greater Sudbury, three in the Manitoulin District - bringing it to 304 total cases, 32 still "active".

APH Confirms 2 More Cases in Sault Ste. Marie

Algoma Public Health's reporting a pair of new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, both stemming from close contact with a known case.

That brings the health unit to 94 reported cases - 29 since December 31st, nearly all in the Sault area - with 30 currently "active", and one "non-resident case" currently in the region.

This comes as grocery giant Loblaws has confirmed a worker at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Sault Ste. Marie's Cambrian Mall is one of the recent cases - they last worked at the store on Sunday.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting four new cases in Greater Sudbury and two in the Manitoulin District, with one of the latest cases a resident of the Amberwood Suites retirement home in Greater Sudbury, prompting an outbreak declaration for the facility.

The health unit has reported a total of 294 cases, 24 of which are currently "active".

APH Reports 11 COVID-19 Cases, Warns of Possible Exposure at NYE Party & 2 Flights

Algoma Public Health's reporting eleven new cases in Sault Ste. Marie area, all stemming from close contact with a known case.

That brings the health unit to 92 reported cases - 27 since December 31st, nearly all in the Sault area - with 28 currently "active", along with one "non-resident case" currently in the region.

This comes as the health unit's warning of potential "high-risk" exposure at a New Year's Eve party in Garden River, which it says was held without the homeowner's knowledge - and defied the provincewide shutdown, which restricts indoor organized public events and social gatherings to your household - noting this warning's being issued because the health unit doesn't have information to contact everyone who attended.

It advises anyone who attended to immediately self-isolate and contact Algoma Public Health, emphasizing self-isolation means not leaving home for work or school, not using public transportation, and avoiding contact with others.

It's also urging anyone who took Air Canada flight 8498 from Windsor to Toronto December 30th - specifically rows 3 to 9 or flight crew - or Air Canada flight 8321 from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie December 30th - specifically rows 3 to 7 or flight crew - to contact your health unit because of possible exposure to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three new cases in Greater Sudbury, leaving the health unit with 23 "active" - it's seen 288 since the pandemic began.

The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed another case in Timmins - the 133rd case for the health unit, which has five "active", one self-isolating outside of its region.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit currently has 63 "active" cases, two in hospital including one in the ICU.

APH, TBDHU Confirm More COVID-19 Cases

Several more COVID-19 cases have been reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed three more cases - two in Sault Ste. Marie, one in Central Algoma - two stem from close contact with a known case, the other is unknown at this time.

The health unit's also declared an outbreak at Extendicare Maple View in the Sault, as two staff members tested positive over the weekend.

The latest cases bring the health unit's total to 81, nineteen "active", though the health unit notes there's also one "non-resident" case currently in the region.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting six more cases in the city, one at a long-term care home where nineteen residents have died from the illness - the health unit has reported 606 cases, 63 currently "active", including two in hospital - one in the ICU.

The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed one more in Timmins, bringing the health unit's total to 132, nine currently "active", one outside its region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has 20 of 285 reported cases "active" - it's also warning of a "potential low-risk exposure" from Ontario Northland bus 1904 from Toronto's Bay Street terminal to the Sudbury terminal on December 21st.

Annual LDHCF Wish Campaign Nears End

With the new year here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding there's still a little time to grant a wish from the local hospital.

Foundation Intern Angele Guy explains its annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign supports an important equipment purchase.

Vice Chair Susan Switzer says the foundation's close to meeting the target.

The Wish Campaign ends this Friday, January 8th, though Switzer reminds the Foundation will accept donations any time of year.

Wawa Council Cancels January 12th Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's delaying its first meetings of the year.

The Municipality says the Corporate Planning Committee and regular Council meetings scheduled for January 12th have been cancelled, with 2021's first meetings to be held January 19th instead.

APH, PHSD, TBDHU All Report New COVID-19 Cases

2021’s started off with several more COVID-19 cases reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health confirmed thirteen over the weekend - all are in the Sault Ste. Marie area, most stemming from close contact with a known case though one stems from international travel - it brings the health unit's total to 78, sixteen of them "active".

Two of the new cases are staff members at Extendicare Maple View in the Sault, prompting an outbreak declaration for the long-term care home.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has reported ten more cases - leaving it with twenty "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reported fifteen - one in an unspecified "district community", the rest in the Thunder Bay area - bringing it to a total of 600, 57 of which are "active", including one in a hospital I-C-U.

The Porcupine Health Unit still has eight "active" cases, one outside of its region.