Forest Fire Smoke Smoke Prompts Air Quality Statement for Region

Smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario and eastern Manitoba has prompted Environment Canada to issue special air quality statements for the region, including Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Chapleau, Gogama, and Foleyet.

Algoma Public Health's warning such air pollution can be harmful to health and aggravate heart or lung conditions, with "common, mild symptoms" of smoke exposure including sore and watter eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, mild coughing, or headache, while more serious symptoms including shortness of breath, severe wheezing or coughing, chest pain, or heart palpitations - it urges anyone experiencing the severe symptoms to seek prompt medical care.

It warns children, the elderly, pregnant women, those doing strenuous exercise or work, and anyone with a heart or lung condition is most at risk, recommending you limit or avoid outdoor activity and strenuous physical activities, keep windows closed and have your ventilation system recirculate, and - if you have asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems - use medication as prescribed.

APH & PHSD Confirm More COVID-19 Cases

A few more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Algoma Public Health's added one in the Sault Ste. Marie area - stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit's total to 405, with five "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed one in Greater Sudbury and one in the Manitoulin District - bringing it to 2178, with six "active" - it's also reporting eight more confirmed or presumed cases of a variant of concern, bringing that to 996.

The health unit’s also warning of potential exposure on an Ontario Northland bus from Toronto's Union Station to North Bay - and the transfer service to Sudbury - on July 13th.

The Porcupine Health Unit added five cases in the James and Hudson Bay area, bringing the health unit to 2140 - it last reported 35 "active", but that was before the latest cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit last had one "active", but it no longer updates figures over the weekend.

PHSD Warns Delta Variant Now Dominant Form of Coronavirus in Region

Public Health Sudbury and District is warning the "more transmissible and dangerous" Delta variant is now the dominant form of the COVID-19-causing coronavirus in its area.

The health unit notes 70% of its COVID-19 cases since July 1st have had this variant, which spreads more easily and is associated with higher rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death compared to the previously-dominant Alpha variant.

While it assures vaccines are effective against Delta, it warns there's evidence of "reduced protection against symptomatic disease" after just one dose, emphasizing that "two-dose vaccine coverage is important for everyone", and - given how infectious Delta is - vaccination rates need to be as high as possible to protect against community spread.

As of Friday, 79.8% of residents 12 and older in the health unit's region have received one dose, and 66.3% are fully vaccinated, though the health unit's aiming for 90% fully vaccinated.

APH Urges Students Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Algoma Public Health's urging students, parents, and teachers to be fully vaccinated by the new school year.

Noting there's only six weeks left, the health unit warns you need to wait 28 days between your first and second COVID-19 vaccine dose and it requires two weeks after the second before you're "fully vaccinated".

It also suggests post-secondary students look into the school's immunization policies or requirements before the fall semester.

The health unit reminds information about clinics can be found through its website.

LDHC Palliative Care Program Preparing for 3rd Memorial Butterfly Release

Wawa's hospital looking to continue a tradition started ahead of the pandemic, to honour those who've passed.

Wawa Family Health Team Nurse Practitioner Tricia Provost explains the Palliative Care Program's third annual "Memorial Butterfly Release" will be something of a mix of the first and second versions, given the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

Provost notes the in-person event will include live music, with the celebration to be livestreamed so people can watch and join in the release.

Butterflies can be purchased through an Eventbrite page - with a deadline of August 16th - and more information's available there or from Troy Dereski at the Lady Dunn Health Centre.

The event will be held August 25th.

Time Running Out in Call for Donations for Ghana

Time's running out to support a Wawa donation drive to support Ghana.

Father Michael Asorgoe of St. Monica's Parish says he's been sending items back to Ghana for the last five years, but there's a hitch compared to past years.

Asorgoe says he'd appreciate a few different items.

Donations can be dropped off at the Rectory porch - on Caverhill, across from the Royal Bank - by this Sunday, July 25th.

PHSD Reports Resolved COVID-19 Case

Some good news on the COVID-19 front in the region, as no new cases are being reported - but a couple resolved.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a single "resolved" case, leaving it with four "active": three in Greater Sudbury, and one in Sudbury District North, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

Likewise, the Porcupine Health Unit is reporting no new cases - the first time in nearly two weeks - though it is reporting one more "resolved", leaving it with 36 "active".

Algoma Public Health still has four "active", while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has none - it hasn't reported a case in more than two weeks.

Gogama Water Advisory Lifted

Gogama's no longer under a drinking water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory issued last Monday night - 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.

Wawa Public Library's Family Photo Scavenger Hunt Ending

Time is running out for Wawa families to join in a special scavenger hunt.

The Wawa Public Library's set to wrap up its week-long Family Photo Scavenger Hunt, and - with a little time left - Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell reminds there are some incentives.

Photos must be submitted by 6 o'clock tonight, with prizes to be awarded on Tuesday.

APH Warns of Increased Opioid-Related Harms

Algoma Public Health's warning anyone using "street drugs" to take extra precautions, amid reports of increased "opioid-related harms" in Algoma.

The health unit says Algoma's opioid-related emergency department visits have increased over the COVID-19 pandemic, along with confirmed and suspected opioid-related deaths, with Northern Ontario communities - including the Algoma region - among those with the highest rates of opioid mortality during the pandemic.

In fact, Algoma's have been "significantly higher" during the "pandemic cohort" than the "pre-pandemic cohort": 2020's reported opioid-related death rate was 46.5 per 100,000, three times 2019's rate of 14.9 per 100,000.

Emphasizing that "substance use and opioid poisoning does not discriminate", the health unit urges anyone who uses drugs to carry naloxone and always have someone with them when they use, starting with a low dose and increasing slowly - never mixing substances, even alcohol - and calling 911 immediately if you suspect opioid poisoning.

PHSD Reports 2176th COVID-19 Case, Located in Sudbury District North

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed another case of COVID-19.

The health unit says its 2176th case is in the Sudbury District, specifically the northern part of the region, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and nearby First Nations.

This leaves the health unit with 5 "active" cases, the new case and four in Greater Sudbury.

It's also reporting three more cases screened positive for variants of concern, bringing that total to 982.

Water Advisory Issued for Gogama | Update: Ended

Update: Gogama water advisory lifted Thursday, July 22nd.

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the issue caused a loss of water pressure and - while it's been 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.

It further warns that boiling may not make the water safe for drinking, suggesting an alternate source such as bottled water.

APH Reports 404th COVID-19 Case, PHSD Touts Vaccine Clinics

Algoma Public Health's reporting another case of COVID-19.

The health unit says its 404th case is in the Sault Ste. Marie area and stems from close contact with a known case - it reported three cases in the Sault area over the weekend, two of them from close contact, though the first was unknown at the time of reporting.

This leaves the health unit with those four cases currently "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported no change in figures for the second day in a row, leaving it with four "active" cases.

It is touting options to get a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, saying it has "several convenient opportunities" in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts this week, though the only one highlighted for Chapleau is an appointment-only clinic Wednesday.

Details on clinics can be found on the health unit's website.

Another Pair of Forest Fires Confirmed in Wawa District

A pair of new forest fires have been confirmed in the Wawa district.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry says "Wawa 10" is located about 50 kilometres west of town - it was not under control at nine-tenths of a hectare in size when the Ministry's report was issued, though a CL415 waterbomber and lead birddog aircraft were on the scene.

Also reported in the district: "Wawa 11", which was not yet under control at a tenth of a hectare in size, located north of Molson Lake, about 30 kilometres east of Marathon.

At the time of the update, there were twelve other active fires in the Northeast - including "Wawa 9", which is now listed as "under control" at 4.2 hectares in size - about 15 kilometres north of Highway 17, near Highway 614 - and "Wawa 8", listed as "under control" at 2.8 hectares in size northeast of Killala Lake, or north of Marathon, within the Restricted Fire Zone.

PHSD Offering Summer Catch-Up Vaccine Clinics for Students (Not for COVID-19)

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is offering summer catch-up vaccine clinics for students who missed receiving school program vaccines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As students in Grade 7 and 8 are able to receive hepatitis B, meningococcal, and HPV vaccines but may have missed out due to school closures amid the pandemic, the health unit's offering catch-up clinics, with appointments available by calling the health unit.

It emphasizes these are separate from COVID-19 vaccine clinics, which are also being offered.

MMCC Partially Reopening, Considering Broader Reopening

Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's reopening after several months closed by COVID-19 restrictions.

Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson says doors are opening to the public, but only for a few services.

Patterson adds a full reopening plan has been drafted, with hopes to reopen some normal summer services in early August.

Though the plan's still being reviewed by Algoma Public Health, Patterson says he doesn't foresee why it would be rejected, and expects - at the least - the gym should be able to reopen, with special function room bookings allowed again.

Forest Fires Reported in Wawa District

A few forest fires were reported in the Wawa district over the weekend.

Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry says "Wawa 7" reached a tenth of a hectare in size - east of Pukaskwa National Park - before it was declared out, while "Wawa 8" - also reported on Friday - grew from one hectare to 2.8, though it is now listed as "being held" northeast of Killala Lake, within the Restricted Fire Zone north of Marathon.

One other fire is burning in the district: "Wawa 9" - reported Saturday - which is not under control at 4.2 hectares in size, about 15 kilometres north of Highway 17, near Highway 614.

The fire hazard is mostly extreme in the Wawa District - dropping to high or even moderate in the southeast - while the Chapleau District's mostly high, with sections of extreme or moderate hazard.

APH Reports 1st COVID-19 Cases in 3 Weeks, PHSD & PHU Also See More

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

After more than three weeks without a new case, Algoma Public Health reported one each of the last three days, bringing it to 403 total, though only those three "active".

All three cases are in the Sault Ste. Marie area - two stem from close contact with a known case, though the first is still under investigation.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed three on Friday - all in Greater Sudbury - bringing its total to 2175, with four currently "active".

The Porcupine Health Unit's added eleven cases in the James and Hudson Bay region and two more in the Timmins area, bringing it to 2123 - it last reported 23 "active", but that was before these cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit last reported one "active" case, but it no longer issues figures on the weekend.

PHSD Urges Region to "Aim High and Stay Low"

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is urging the region to "aim high and stay low".

The health unit emphasizes the path out of the province's Step 3 restrictions requires low case counts and high immunization rates: at least 80% of those 12 or older must have one dose, at least 75% two, and every health unit must have a two-dose rate of at least 70%.

The health unit is nearing those marks, reporting 79% have at least one dose and 60.9% have two, but it's launching an area-wide challenge aimed at getting 90% of those twelve and older fully vaccinated, urging those who have yet to get both doses to book appointments.

For Chapleau, 72.1% of residents 12 or older are fully vaccinated, the highest rate for any region covered by the health unit.

Chapleau Council Considering "R-Zone" Policy

Chapleau Town Council is looking into implementing a policy focused on respect.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains the planned "R-Zone Policy" stems from concerns about "numerous attacks on social media".

While he concedes there are "free speech" considerations, Levesque emphasizes the Township's "obliged" to protect its workers from harassment, with the policy to address "respect of the individual and the acceptance of responsibility on both parties", outlining steps to respond to problems.

The mayor expects the policy to come before Council in next month's meeting.