PHSD Reports 174th COVID-19 Death

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting the death in Greater Sudbury - the 152nd in the city, and the 174th for the health unit, which last reported a death last Wednesday.

It's also reporting 66 new cases since Friday - 59 in Greater Sudbury, one in the Sudbury District, and six in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down to 209, with 40 in hospital, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include three in the northern Sudbury District - half the six reported Friday - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's showing thirteen "active" outbreaks: one in Espanola, the rest in Greater Sudbury.

Tim Hortons Wawa Kicks Off Smile Cookie Campaign Supporting WAVS

As you pick up your morning coffee or a meal this week, you could get an extra smile to help support a local cause.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign kicks off today, with proceeds from "Smile Cookie" sales at Tim Hortons Wawa supporting Wawa and Area Victim Services, which WAVS Executive Director Beverly Boyd explains deals with victims of crime or tragic circumstance.

Boyd says plans are for funds raised by the Smile Cookies to start a new fundraising campaign.

Kicking off today, the Smile Cookie campaign continues to the end of the week.

Tim Hortons says Ryan DiTomasso's Dunnville store actually sold the most Smile Cookies last year, with 48,000 - particularly impressive as the community only has a population of 6000 - DiTomasso and his sister, Ashleigh McLeod, became owners of Wawa's Tim Hortons in July.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 72 since Wednesday - 66 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 246, though the number in hospital is down to 34, one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include six in the northern Sudbury District - up from the four reported Wednesday - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting 32 since Tuesday - 24 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, four in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - with known "high risk active" cases up to 107 - 16 in hospital, two in ICUs.

CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament Arrives

Golfers are hitting the greens this weekend to support the local women's shelter.

CHADWIC Home Community Outreach Worker Pam Carruthers explains the organization's annual charity golf tournament is meant as a fun fundraiser raising awareness about the services they offer.

Carruthers thanks all sponsors of the event, including Wesdome and Argonaut Gold for sponsoring green fees, Northern Lights Ford for providing a hole-in-one prize, and Dynamic Roofing, whose donation helps cover the registration prize of a 58-inch television.

The golf tournament starts at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Wawa's Terry Fox Run Returns, But Remains Virtual

The 42nd annual Terry Fox Run is almost here - though don't expect large crowds of runners in Wawa's streets.

Local organizer Brian Lachine explains this year's event remains virtual, like the last couple years.

Lachine also encourages people to donate for school events, which will be held later this month, reminding the Terry Fox Run supports the Terry Fox Foundation's efforts.

A link to the local school events can be found through the Wawa Recreation Facebook page, while details about the run can be found at terryfox.org/run.

PHSD Reports 4 COVID-19 Deaths in Greater Sudbury, Cases in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting four in Greater Sudbury - bringing the city's death toll to 151, out of 173 reported by the health unit since the pandemic began - it last reported a death on September 7th, though that was later retracted.

The health unit's also reporting 52 new cases since Monday - 39 in Greater Sudbury, five in the Sudbury District, and eight in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 228, with the number in hospital down to 41, including one in an ICU.

The "active" cases include four in the northern Sudbury District - up from the three reported Monday - the communities aren't specified, but the region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

APH Reports 3 COVID-19 Deaths, New Cases in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's reporting three, bringing its COVID-related death toll to 66 - 45 this year alone - it last reported a death last Thursday.

The health unit's also reporting 53 cases since Thursday - 43 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, seven in the Elliot Lake area, one in Central and East Algoma, and two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations) - though known "high risk active" cases are down to 91, including 21 in hospital, one in an ICU.

Chapleau Moving Forward With Municipal Accommodation Tax

Chapleau's struck a deal regarding administration of its "Municipal Accommodation Tax".

Mayor Michael Levesque reminds the tax approved by Council in May is a surcharge for hotels, bed and breakfasts, or AirBnB-style rentals.

Levesque notes the funds would not go directly into the Township's general coffers.

Emphasizing the Township will administer the tax, Mayor Levesque explains Council's now approved an agreement with the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation for administration of the funds meant for a regional tourist association.

The tax is set to take effect November 1st.

North Algoma Seniors Expo & Active Living Fair Returns to Wawa

Wawa seniors are being encouraged to learn more about services in the community, as the annual "North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair" returns.

Alzheimer Society First Link Coordinator Chris Rask explains a key feature is the expo itself.

Wawa Family Health Team Geriatric Program Coordinator Jolene Binda says it's helpful to let seniors know about options in town.

Binda notes there's also a free lunch - catered by Judy Page-Moore - and a couple presentations.

Rask adds there's also some "active living demonstrations".

Open to anyone - particularly seniors - the free event runs from 10 am to 3 pm at Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

JJAM FM's broadcasting live from the event from 10 am to 2 pm.

The North Algoma Seniors Expo and Active Living Fair's hosted by the Wawa Goose Seniors' Centre and Wawa Seniors-At-Risk Committee in partnership with the Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario, with funding support from the Government of Ontario.

APH Warns of Increased Opioid-Related ER Visits

Algoma Public Health's warning anyone using "street drugs" to take extra precautions amid an increase in suspected opioid-related Emergency Department visits in Algoma.

Emphasizing "substance use and opioid poisoning does not discriminate", the health unit's urging 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 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect opioid poisoning.

The health unit also asks members of the community "continue their support for residents at risk of opioid poisonings and their loved ones".

PHSD Rolling Out Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine

A variant-targeting COVID-19 vaccine's now available through a local health unit.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says Moderna's bivalent mRNA vaccine - which offers protection against the original strain and the Omicron variant - is now available for certain groups: those 70 or older; residents of long-term care or retirement homes, elder care lodges, or other congregate settings with assisted living and health services; First Nation, Inuit, and Metis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members; pregnant individuals; health care workers; and - at clinical discretion - moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals as young as 12.

That aligns with the provincial government's guidance announced Monday, and - in line with that - the health unit notes eligibility will expand to all adults eighteen and older on September 26th.

To be eligible, individuals must have received their primary - normally two dose - series of COVID-19 vaccine at least - the number of booster doses does not matter - and it must be at least six months since the last vaccine dose.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Including in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - including the northern Sudbury District.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 69 since Friday - 61 in Greater Sudbury, three in the Sudbury District, and five in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" are down to 229 - with 56 in hospital, two in ICUs - while the number "active" in the northern Sudbury District is up from Friday's two to three.

Chapleau Council to Discuss Plans for Municipal Accommodation Tax

Chapleau Town Council's set to consider plans for its municipal accommodation tax.

That's a key part of tonight's regular meeting, with the Economic Development Officer to deliver an update on the tax, while a by-law up for consideration would see the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation administer it.

Council will also consider a by-law to allow for deferral of assessment-related tax increases for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, along with resolutions to award the Monk Street Paving contract and to approve scope changes relating to the Water and Waste Water Condition Assessment.

There's also a single "in-camera" item, "concerning personal matters about an identifiable individual".

The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm tonight, in Civic Centre Council Chambers.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, Reduces Death Toll

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 72 since Wednesday - 64 in Greater Sudbury, four in the Sudbury District, and four in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up to 280, with the number in hospital skyrocketing from 50 to 63, including two in ICUs.

The health unit's also reduced its COVID-related death toll, apparently removing the death reported Wednesday in Greater Sudbury - that brings the health unit's death toll back to 169.

PHSD Warns of West Nile After Greater Sudbury Crow Tests Positive

A local health unit's warning about the dangers of West Nile virus as a bird has tested positive in Greater Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it has received confirmation an American Crow tested positive, but noted the virus hasn't been detected in mosquitoes in the region since 2018 and there have been no human cases in the region this year.

Still, the health unit emphasizes the bird testing positive "reminds us that although the overall risk of a person becoming infected is low, the virus is still present", urging precautions such as wearing Health Canada-approved insect repellent and light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing, ensuring there are no holes or tears in screen doors and windows of your home, and removing - or weekly changing - of standing water around your home.

Registration Deadline for CHADWIC Home Charity Golf Tournament

Time's running out for golfers to sign up for a golf tournament supporting Wawa's women's shelter.

As today's the registration deadline, CHADWIC Home Community Outreach Worker Pam Carruthers explains the best ball tournament for teams of three is supported by a few sponsors.

Carruthers reminds notes the charity tournament supports youth programs, violence prevention programming, and other services offered by CHADWIC Home, which supports not just Wawa but also Chapleau, Hornepayne, and many other communities in this part of the Algoma District.

Anyone wanting to register can contact CHADWIC Home at 705-856-2848 by the end of today - the tournament will be held Saturday, September 17th.

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