APH, PHSD Confirm New COVID-19 Cases

More COVID-19 cases are being reported across the region.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed one in Elliot Lake and another in the Central and East Algoma area - bringing its total to 167, nineteen "active" including one in hospital - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts has reported its 520th case - like most of the region's cases, it's in Greater Sudbury - though the number "active" is down slightly to 81.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reported three more linked to the outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing and another in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - bringing the health unit's total to 279, 80 "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed sixteen in the Thunder Bay area, bringing the health unit to 1001, 142 "active", including one in hospital.

APH Issues Opioid Poisoning Warning for Street Drug Users

Algoma Public Health's warning anyone who uses street drugs to take "extra precautions".

Noting a rise in opioid-related calls for Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Services, the health unit's warning that street drugs can be mixed with dangerous substances that can cause opioid poisoning - which you may not be able to taste, smell, or see - emphasizing "opioid poisoning does not discriminate".

It emphasizes those who use street drugs should not do so alone, starting with a low dose and increasing slowly, never mixing substances, have naloxone to counteract opioid poisoning, and - if you suspect an overdose or opioid poisoning - call 9-1-1.

PHSD Confirms 8th & 9th COVID-19 Deaths

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its eight and ninth, one a resident of the Amberwood Suites retirement home in Greater Sudbury, the other a resident of an apartment building in Finlandia Village - both are in the midst of outbreaks, with the health unit declaring another at the Chartwell Southwind Retirement Residence, also in Greater Sudbury.

It has also confirmed six new cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing its total to 519, 86 currently "active".

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed a seventh death at Extendicare Kapuskasing - bringing the region's death toll to sixteen - while reporting a new case in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, bringing the health unit's total to 275, 80 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed fourteen cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing the health unit to 985, 143 "active", including one in hospital.

Algoma Public Health currently has seventeen active, one in hospital.

More COVID-19 Deaths & Cases Confirmed in Region

More COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in neighbouring regions, as cases rise across the region.

The Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed two more deaths linked to an outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing - the fifth and sixth residents of the facility to die - bringing the region's death toll to fifteen.

The health unit also confirmed eight new cases, including five in the Hearst and Hornepayne area.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 27th COVID-19 death - though no further details have been provided - while reporting eighteen cases in the Thunder Bay area and one in an unspecified First Nation community, bringing it to 971, 143 "active" including one in hospital.

It's also warning of possible low risk exposure on a pair of Air Canada/Jazz flights from Toronto to Thunder Bay January 25th and 26th.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health confirmed three cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area - bringing the health unit to 165 total, eighteen "active" including one in hospital - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported four more in Greater Sudbury - bringing it to 513, 91 "active".

Porcupine Health Unit Confirms 13th Death, More Cases Across Region

Another COVID-19 death's being reported in a neighbouring region while case numbers continue to grow for much of the region.

The Porcupine Health Unit says a fourth resident of Extendicare Kapuskasing has died from the virus, which has been in an outbreak for most of the month, though it has finished vaccinating asymptomatic residents who'd tested negative for COVID-19.

They're the thirteenth COVID-19 death reported by the health unit, which is also reporting nine new cases linked to the outbreak, as well as four cases in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, at least one linked to the Foyer des Pionniers Nursing Home in Hearst, prompting an outbreak declaration for that facility.

In total, the health unit's reported 256 cases, 72 currently "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - is reporting seventeen new cases in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 499 total - 95 "active" - while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting nineteen in the Thunder Bay area, seven in unspecified First Nation communities, and another three in unspecified "district communities" - it has seen 952, 186 currently "active", including one in a hospital ICU.

Algoma Public Health - on the other hand - is declaring an outbreak at the F-J Davey Home in Sault Ste. Marie, saying six staff members have tested positive - the health unit's website isn't showing any new cases, with only eight "active" - one in hospital.

New COVID-19 Cases Reported Across Region

More COVID-19 cases are being reported in the region.

Algoma Public Health's reporting four in the Central and East Algoma areas, and another in the Sault Ste. Marie area - two stem from close contact with a known case, the rest are unknown.

This brings the health unit to 155 cases, 15 currently "active", including one in hospital.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit - which reported its 12th COVID-19 death yesterday - is reporting two cases in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - bringing the health unit to 241, 59 "active" - while the neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit reporting 28 new cases in the Thunder Bay area - 23 linked to outbreaks at the Thunder Bay District Jail or Thunder Bay Correctional Centre - and another four in unspecified First Nation communities.

It has reported 923 cases since the pandemic began, 170 currently "active" - one in a hospital ICU.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - which reported five cases in Greater Sudbury yesterday - has 82 "active".

Chapleau Raises Multiple Issues at Virtual ROMA Conference

Chapleau's looking for action from the provincial government on a few key issues.

Mayor Michael Levesque says the Township took advantage of the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association virtual conference to press on three major issues, the first being infrastructure grants.

Mayor Levesque says the next main issue relates to Hydro One and power outages, both scheduled and unscheduled.

Mayor Levesque notes the Township's delegation also pressed Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney on driver test services.

The mayor expresses hope there may be some changes to address these concerns.

APH Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccination is underway for Algoma long-term care residents.

Algoma Public Health says Ontario Finnish Rest Home resident Larry Grekula was the first Algoma resident to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, getting the shot just after 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon - shortly after the health unit announced it has received its first shipment of Moderna's vaccine.

Per the province's vaccination program, those doses are allotted for residents of long-term care homes, with the health unit saying it'll work with all long-term care homes to provide first doses to over 1000 residents over the next two weeks, with the second dose to be given 28 days later.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts announced earlier this week it's set to receive enough of the Moderna vaccine over the next two weeks to immunize all residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes by February 5th.

It started vaccinating residents of three Greater Sudbury long-term care homes - Pioneer Manor, Extendicare York, and Extendicare Falconbridge - yesterday, though residents, staff, and essential caregivers of the Wiikwemikoong Nursing Home on Manitoulin Island were the first recipients in the region, receiving the first dose of the vaccine two weeks ago.

APH Updates Chippewa County Travel Advisory

Algoma Public Health's updating a warning about travel to Chippewa County.

While it acknowledges COVID-19 activity's been "improving" in recent weeks, the health unit warns rates of new cases in the Michigan county "continue to reflect ongoing risk of exposure from community spread".

It's still recommending those who work or attend school in Chippewa county seek virtual options instead of cross-border travel, but - if you must go - avoid crowded indoor spaces, stay at least two metres from other people at all times, wear a face covering at all times, wash or sanitize hands often, and avoid any non-essential activities, keeping track of your daily activities, including when and with whom you go anywhere.

Once returning to Algoma, it urges avoiding close contact with others - especially the vulnerable, like the elderly or those with underlying health conditions - and to monitor for symptoms, isolating and getting tested if you do become sick.

PHSD Moving Chapleau Office

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is moving its Chapleau office.

The health unit says its current Pine Street office will close at 4:30 Friday afternoon to begin the moving process, reopening at its new location on 34 Birch Street - with an entrance on Lorne Street - at 8:30 Monday morning.

Its phone and fax numbers and emails will remain the same, and the health unit assures services such as email, phone, and website will be fully operational during the move, with no changes or delays to service for the public.

Deceased Identified in Fatal Snowmobile/Pickup Truck Collision

Ontario Provincial Police have identified a Sault Ste. Marie man killed in a collision between a snowmobile and a pickup truck on Highway 556 near Ranger Lake Sunday evening.

Sault Ste. Marie OPP say 40-year-old Michael Tremblay was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation's underway, under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

APH Set to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations are set to begin for Algoma long-term care residents this week.

Algoma Public Health says it has received its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine, allotted for residents of long-term care homes per the first phase of the province's COVID-19 vaccination program.

The health unit says it will work with all long-term care homes to provide first doses to over 1000 residents over the next two weeks, with the second dose to be given 28 days later.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Loo calls this "great news for our community", which "helps us build another strong layer of protection around our long-term care residents".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts announced earlier this week that it's set to receive enough of the Moderna vaccine over the next two weeks to immunize all residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes by February 5th.

Local Communities Getting Provincial Boost for Infrastructure, Transit

Local communities are getting some provincial support for infrastructure.

The Ontario government's announced nearly $38-million for Northern Ontario municipalities through the Ontario Community Infrastructure fund, including $270,157 for the Municipality of Wawa, $138,091 for the Township of Chapleau, $94,414 for the Township of Dubreuilville, and $131,969 for the Township of White River.

This comes after the government confirmed $375-million through the Gas Tax program to help 109 municipalities operate and expand public transit, including $25,891 for Wawa and $18,630 for Chapleau.

PHSD, Porcupine Confirm New COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting thirteen in Greater Sudbury, bringing the health unit to 477 cases, 86 currently "active".

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's reporting four more linked to the outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing, another in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, and one in the Timmins area - that brings it to 233 cases, 56 currently "active".

Drug Trafficking and Other Charges for Wawa Pair

Two Wawa residents are facing drug trafficking and other charges.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a search warrant was executed at a Mackey Street residence Friday afternoon, with the search finding quantities of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, and cannabis - a total street value of about $18,000.

Charged are a 30-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioid other than heroin for the purpose of trafficking, possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, alter or offer to alter chemical or physical properties of cannabis by the use of an organic solvent, and possession of weapon for dangerous purpose.

The man's also facing charges of failure to comply with undertaking, unauthorized possession of weapon, and two counts of possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, while the woman's charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.

Both were released from custody, scheduled to appear at Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in March.

Multiple Breach Charges Laid After Wawa Domestic Dispute

Multiple breach charges have been laid against a Wawa resident over a domestic dispute on Hillcrest Avenue Sunday evening.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say a 31-year-old's been charged with four counts of failure to comply with undertaking and two of failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court.

They're being held in custody, pending a bail hearing.

Assault & Other Charges Over Wawa Domestic Dispute

A Wawa resident's facing assault and other charges after a domestic dispute in town.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to the incident Saturday afternoon, leading to the arrest of a 51-year-old on two counts of spousal assault and four of failure to comply with undertaking.

They've been released from custody with a March court date, in Wawa.

Cart (0)