Ontario Government Triggers Provincewide Emergency Brake

Premier Doug Ford's triggering a "provincewide emergency brake".

Ford's announced the brake will take effect Saturday, April 3rd - lasting at least four weeks - prohibiting indoor organized public events and social gatherings while limiting outdoor events to five people - or just one household - while personal care services, indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness, and day camps are prohibited.

In-person shopping will be restricted to 50% capacity for grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies - 25% for all other retail, including big box stores - while indoor and outdoor dining's prohibited, though takeout, drive through, and delivery are allowed.

Weddings, funerals, and other religious services will be restricted to 15% occupancy per room indoors, though there is no outdoor limit, except that physical distancing must be maintained - social gatherings associated with these services, like receptions, face the same limits as other social gatherings.

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and the province's science advisory table had been recommending a provincewide stay-at-home order for at least two weeks - four, in certain areas - with newly released modelling suggesting that could bring cases down to 1000 to 1500 a day by the end of April, otherwise they could hit 6000 a day, a level never seen before in Ontario.

It also suggests ICU admissions could top 800 - double the current amount, which is already the highest of the pandemic - which could force doctors to start implementing a triage protocol, noting two-thirds of all new infections in Ontario involve variants of concern, which are causing more serious forms of COVID-19, including in younger people - that's caused a 41.7% jump in overall hospitalizations over the last two weeks.

Science Table co-chair Dr. Adalsteinn Brown emphasizes that public health measures "only work if people can understand them and follow them", warning "partial measures, half-hearted adherence, and denial" simply risk prolonging and worsening the pandemic.

An open letter from more than 150 Ontario doctors has also called for changes, urging Williams to stop basing restrictions on available ICU beds.

Meanwhile, the NDP are panning the PC government and Premier Doug Ford for disregarding the science table's warnings in February that loosening restrictions amid growing variant cases would lead to a third wave, requiring a spring lockdown.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its lowest daily case count in more than two weeks.

The health unit's confirmed ten new cases - seven in Greater Sudbury, three in an unspecified Sudbury District community - bringing its total to 1439, though the number "active" has fallen to 316.

It's also reporting eight more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 408.

APH Reports 3 COVID-19 Cases Screened Positive for Variants of Concern

Algoma Public Health's warning three recent cases have screened positive for variants of concern.

The health unit says laboratory screening results show evidence of variants in a pair of cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and another in the Elliot Lake area - identification of the specific strains is not available at this time, however, pending additional lab information.

It notes about 60% of COVID-19 cases in Ontario at this time are positive for mutations or variants of concern, which can spread much more easily and may even cause more severe disease.

With the Easter holiday about to begin - and Spring Break approaching - Algoma Public Health warns of "ongoing aggressive spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern across the province and in Northern Ontario", asking everyone be "extra vigilant and to do your part to stop the surge".

Algoma Public Health currently has ten "active" cases.

Chapleau Mayor Seeks to Clarify Council's Position on CHS 100th Reunion

Chapleau Council's seeking to clarify its position on the upcoming Chapleau High School 100th reunion.

Though he says Council "has no problem" with the reunion - even stating support on several occasions, calling it "a positive means to unite the community" - Mayor Michael Levesque says the Township isn't in the best position to provide further support.

Mayor Levesque further notes 2020 was a "rough financial year" for the Township.

Levesque further defends Council's decision, noting they were told the Reunion Committee had received a "substantial donation" from a local corporation and had a "long list of volunteers ready to help with the event", with the fifteen month timeline to the July 2022 target date giving plenty of time to organize and prepare, so he says "success is unavoidable", but adds Council wishes the best for the reunion, offering to assist in regard to advertising and use of the recreation centre.

Argonaut Gold Moving Forward on Magino Construction

Progress is being made in the construction of a new mine in the region.

Argonaut Gold says "the overall Magino construction project is tracking on schedule and ahead of schedule in relation to logging activities", with 100% of the process plant site cleared as Argonaut's actively preparing the site for earthworks, which would be followed by concrete pouring and steel erection so the process facility building's enclosed prior to the next winter, allowing construction to continue internally.

The company adds other activities conducted include pioneering of roads and worksites, earthworks to level the process facility site area, installation of construction offices, completion of a pad for a 144-person camp, and installation of the first 88-person camp units.

Eligibility Expanding for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in Region

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are expanding in the region.

North Algoma COVID-19 vaccine clinic partners say adults 70 and older are now eligible to book an appointment, along with school staff that provide ongoing healthcare services and direct patient care to children with special needs, such as nurses, social service professionals, teachers, and education assistants.

Those eligible can call Wawa's central appointment line at 705-914-0464, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre, or White River's Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is also expanding vaccination eligibility.

The health unit notes 96 percent of adults 80 and older - and over 80 percent of adults 75 to 79 - have either been vaccinated or booked appointments to be, with 30,137 people in its region already receiving their first dose - 3081 fully vaccinated.

That means over 16% of the region's population is immunized - a higher proportion than Ontario's 14.68%.

Pointing to that progress, the health unit says - starting Saturday - it'll start accepting appointment bookings for adults 70 to 74 years old, while those able to book appointments will also be able to do so through the province's online booking system, in addition to the health unit's phone booking system.

APH Transferring Mental Health & Addictions Programs to CMHA Algoma

Algoma Public Health's transferring mental health and addictions services to another organization.

The health unit says the community alcohol/drug assessment and community mental health programs it currently administers will be transferred into the renamed Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma tomorrow, assuring there should be no disruption in services.

It adds CMHA Algoma's in the process of redesigning its service model to include a single point of access for incoming calls and referrals, aligning with best practice priorities for mental health and addictions by allowing clients to be immediately linked to a staff person who'll connect them to the appropriate services.

CN Sells Algoma Central Railway

CN is selling off the Algoma Central Railway, along with lines south of the border.

The Montreal-based railway's announced a deal to sell "non-core lines and assets on the Soo subdivision" from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba - about 250 miles of track - along with roughly 650 miles of branch lines of Wisconsin Central Ltd. in Wisconsin and Michigan.

The purchaser is service and logistics company Watco, one of the largest short-line railroad holding companies in the US, with more than 5000 miles of track while railroads controlled by Watco currently operate over 600 miles of track in Wisconsin.

In addition to promising to continue freight operations on the Algoma Central line - and the Agawa Canyon Train Tour - Watco's signed a memorandum of understanding with the Missanabie Cree First Nation regarding "partnership opportunities for the Algoma Central Railway".

Missanabie Cree's been trying for years to revive passenger service on the line - which halted in July 2015 - though it's unclear whether this change in ownership for the line means the Mask-Wa Oo-Ta-Ban - or "Bear Train" - proposal's gaining traction.

PHSD Reports 20th COVID-19 Death, APH Confirms 229th Case

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says another person has died in Greater Sudbury, the fourth death this week after three were reported in Greater Sudbury Monday.

The health unit has seen twenty COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began.

This comes as the health unit's reporting 32 new cases - one in the Manitoulin District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 1429 - 344 "active" - while 15 more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 400.

Algoma Public Health - meanwhile - has confirmed its 229th case of COVID-19, an Elliot Lake area resident exposed by close contact with a known case.

The health unit has ten "active" cases.

LDHCF Touts Legion Donation

Wawa's hospital foundation is thanking the local Legion for a major donation.

The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command Branches and Ladies Auxiliaries' Charitable Foundation have donated $5200 to support the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation, dedicated to the purchase of capital equipment for the hospital.

The hospital foundation notes Wawa's Legion Branch 429 has a "long history of supporting health care in the local community", donating over $76,000 to the Lady Dunn Health Centre since 2001.

TBDHU Reports 4 COVID-19 Deaths, More Cases in Region

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed four more deaths, bringing its death toll since the pandemic began to 51, though it isn't giving any further details about these deaths.

It's also reporting 20 new cases in the Thunder Bay area and another five in unspecified "district communities", bringing its total to 2826, though the number "active" has fallen to 199, 17 in hospital, three in an ICU.

The Porcupine Health Unit - meanwhile - has confirmed its 352nd case - this time in the Timmins area - leaving it with six "active" cases.

Algoma Public Health currently has nine "active", while Public Health Sudbury and Districts has 340.

PHSD Reports 19 New COVID-19 Cases, 2 More Screen Positive for Variant of Concern

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed nineteen - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 1397 - 340 "active" - while two more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 385.

The health unit reported three more deaths yesterday - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing its death toll since the pandemic began to nineteen.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed one more case in the Hearst and Hornepayne area, the health unit's 351st case - it currently has five "active" cases.

Northern Ontario Health Units Report COVID-19 Caution Ahead of Easter & Spring Break

Northern Ontarians are being urged to "do your part" to stop the surge this Spring Break.

A joint release from Northern Ontario's health units - including Algoma Public Health and Public Health Sudbury and Districts - warns that we must "work together to prevent another surge in COVID-19", noting infection rates in many parts of the North have "been at some of the highest levels since the pandemic began" while COVID-19 activity's rising across the province, with the rapid spread of variants of concern leading to "aggressive outbreaks" and more severe illness, even in younger people.

They acknowledge that "everyone has made tremendous sacrifices for over a year" and "there is ongoing hope, as more vaccine becomes available, week by week", but "at this very moment in time...the vast majority of our community members are not yet immunized", meaning "risky activities like gatherings and travel must still be avoided by all", even with Easter and Spring Break approaching.

Emphasizing steps must be taken to "protect the most vulnerable in our communities and to stop the surge from overwhelming our local hospitals and frontline health care workers", the health units are urging everyone stay at least two metres from anyone you don't live with - particularly indoor places, which they warn are "risky" - to avoid "non-essential" travel or receiving visitors - particularly between places in different zones of the province's tiered restrictions framework - and to get tested "straight away" if you have symptoms - even mild - isolating from everyone until you have results, and everyone you live with should also isolate, not going to work or school.

Currently, Algoma Public Health - including Wawa, Dubreuilville, and White River - is in the "Yellow-Protect" category of Ontario's tiered restrictions framework, while Public Health Sudbury and Districts - including Chapleau - is in the "Grey-Lockdown" category.

Ecole Saint-Joseph Grade 5 Students Mobilize to Help Turtles

Some Wawa students have mobilized to help turtles.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says Grade 5 students at Ecole Saint-Joseph in Wawa approached teacher Kelsey Boisvenue after learning about the endangered Eastern Musk Turtle, presenting posters and ideas for helping the turtles, and Boisvenue - along with Annette Morden - obtained a turtle adoption kit, with the students learning about a turtle the Ontario Turtle Conservation Center found, rehabilitated, rescued, and freed.

The students also involved their families and friends, with events held via Facebook to raise funds for the organization, including selling cupcakes and key chains in the shape of a turtle.

PHSD Reports 3 COVID-19 Deaths, APH Confirms 2 New Cases

It's a tragic day for Public Health Sudbury and Districts, as the health unit's confirmed three COVID-19 deaths.

The health unit's giving few details, except that the deaths were in Greater Sudbury - it brings the region's death toll since the pandemic began to nineteen.

PHSD previously confirmed sixteen new cases - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 1378 - 335 "active" - while six more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 383.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting twelve more cases - nine in the Thunder Bay area, three in unspecified "district communities" - bringing its total to 2801, though the number "active" has fallen to 207, 19 in hospital, four in an ICU.

Algoma Public Health's confirmed one more in the Sault Ste. Marie area and another in the Central and East Algoma area, bringing the health unit's total to 228, ten currently "active".

It's also warning of potential "low-risk" exposure at the Bath and Body Works in Station Mall between 11 am and 4:30 pm Saturday, March 27th.

The Porcupine Health Unit isn't reporting any new cases, but it is advising that three confirmed cases in Timmins have screened positive for a variant of concern, expected to be the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the UK.

TBDHU Confirms 47th COVID-19 Death, Cases Reported Across Region

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in the region.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed its 47th - with no further details - while reporting 50 new cases over the weekend: 36 in the Thunder Bay area; eight in unspecified First Nation communities, and six in unspecified "district communities".

Despite the new cases, the health unit's reporting fewer "active", down to 216, nineteen in hospital, four in an ICU.

While the health unit doesn't specify communities where cases are reported, the Marathon Family Health Team's confirmed another case in that community, leaving it with eleven "active", eight in hospital, though many of the cases are linked to Chronic Care with the North of Superior Healthcare Group.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported 59 cases over the weekend - two in the Manitoulin District, one in the Sudbury District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - leaving it with 343 "active".

It's also reported 29 more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 377.

Algoma Public Health - meanwhile - confirmed its 226th case on Sunday - in the Sault Ste. Marie area - leaving it with fifteen "active".

It's also warning of possible exposure at the Tim Hortons at Great Northern Road and Third Line in the Sault between 5 am and 1:30 pm March 23rd and 24th - that location has temporarily closed, with a sign citing "the evolving health situation".

And the Porcupine Health Unit's added three cases - all in the Timmins area - leaving it with six "active" while one screened positive for a variant of concern, believed to be the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the UK.

Chapleau's Bear Bins Return for Season

Chapleau's bear bins are back.

The Township's reminding residents the bear proof containers are only meant for household waste in "normal size" refuse bags and no refuse can be left outside the container.

Small white bags, animal excrement, cardboard, grass clippings, building products, wood, metal, paint, automotive batteries, fireplace ashes, fluorescent bulbs, and broken glass are all prohibited while medical appliances must be in an appropriate "puncture proof" container.

The containers will be unlocked from 9 am Monday to 2:30 pm Friday (also closed during holidays), though curbside pickup's continuing otherwise.

PHSD Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are expanding for Public Health Sudbury and Districts.

The health unit says it's moving into Phase 2 of the provincial vaccination plan, accepting appointment bookings for those 78 and older starting today, and for those as young as 75 starting tomorrow - additional age groups are expected to be announced next week.

Booking details are available on the health unit's website, which notes a clinic is planned for Chapleau April 7th.

Algoma Public Health's similarly expanded appointment bookings, with North Algoma COVID-19 vaccine clinic partners noting that includes their clinics, booking through a Wawa central appointment line, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre and White River's Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

PHSD Reports 16th COVID-19 Death, APH Sees 225th Case

Another COVID-19 death's been reported in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed its sixteenth since the pandemic began, noting it was an individual in Greater Sudbury but no further details will be provided "out of respect".

The health unit's also confirmed another case in the Sudbury District and nineteen in Greater Sudbury, bringing its total to 1303 - 319 "active" - with 25 more cases "screened positive for a variant of concern", bringing that total to 348.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 225th case - it's located in the Sault Ste. Marie area, stemming from close contact with a known case - leaving the health unit with eighteen "active" cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting another fifteen cases in the Thunder Bay area and five more in unspecified district communities, bringing it to 2739 total, with 259 "active", 28 in hospital, four in an ICU.

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