PHSD Reports 2 COVID-19 Deaths As New Highly Transmissible Variant Detected

A highly transmissible COVID-19 variant's been detected in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the new Omicron subvariant, XBB - including XBB.1.5 - has been found in its service area, noting it may be the most transmissible variant detected to date and projections for this week are that it will make up over 20% of all strains detected in Ontario.

In response, the health unit's urging everyone continue practicing personal protective measures, particularly staying up-to-date with vaccinations, getting the bivalent booster when eligible - it will hold an “appointment only” vaccination clinic for those at least twelve years old at its Chapleau office this Thursday.

This comes as Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting two COVID-19 deaths in Greater Sudbury - one in which it was the underlying cause, another in which it contributed but was not the underlying cause - bringing its death toll to 199 - 173 in the city - it last reported a death Wednesday.

The health unit's also reporting 28 new cases since Wednesday - 25 in Greater Sudbury, two in the broader Sudbury District, and one in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases stayed at 112 - nineteen in hospital, one in an ICU.

There are no longer any "active" cases listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Death, Still No Cases in Northern Sudbury District

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting is 197th - the 171st in Greater Sudbury - it last reported a death ten days ago, though it later removed one of the deaths reported in Greater Sudbury.

The health unit's also reporting 25 new cases since Monday - 21 in Greater Sudbury, one in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 112 - 22 in hospital, three in ICUs.

There are no longer any "active" listed for the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Mischief Charge Over White River Domestic Dispute

A mischief charge has been laid after a White River domestic dispute.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a reported dispute on Ontario Street Sunday morning, with investigation leading to the arrest of a 72-year-old from White River on a charge of domestic mischief.

Their identity is being withheld due to the domestic nature of the incident, to protect the victim's identity.

They've been released from custody, set to appear in court in Wawa next month.

Drug Trafficking & Firearm Charges in Marathon

Two Marathon residents are facing firearm and drug-related charges.

Marathon OPP say officers executed a search warrant at a Marathon residence Tuesday night, seizing an unspecified amount of suspected illicit substances such as cocaine, crystal meth, oxycodone, suboxone, and psilocybin, along with drug trafficking-associated items and Canadian currency.

Arrested are a 34-year-old and a 36-year-old, each facing eleven charges including: possession of weapon for dangerous purpose; careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition; and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

They've been remanded into custody.

PHSD Warns of Increased Overdoses in Greater Sudbury

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is warning of an increase in overdoses in its region.

The health unit says it has received reports of "an increase in overdoses from the use of substances" in the City of Greater Sudbury, adding that - while it can't confirm the substance that caused the overdoses - it's an "important reminder" that street drugs could be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos, fentanyl, or carfentanil, and more toxic substances may be circulating locally.

PHSD recommends avoiding using drugs when you're alone - but not using it at the same time as an accompanying friend - to avoid mixing drugs or alcohol, to carry a naloxone kit, and - in the case of a suspected overdose - call 9-1-1.

APH Reports 87th COVID-19 Death, New Cases in North Algoma

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

Algoma Public Health's giving few details about its 87th COVID death - except that it was the underlying cause - the health unit last reported a death nearly a month ago.

It's also reporting 33 new cases since Thursday (but shows 35 more in the regional breakdown as two reported Thursday were previously unattributed) - 28 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three 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) - though known "high risk active" cases are down slightly, to 62, with twelve in hospital, two in ICUs.

PHSD Reports New COVID-19 Cases, No Longer Any Active in Northern Sudbury District

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region - but not locally.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 41 since Friday - one in the Manitoulin District, the rest in Greater Sudbury - with known "active" cases down to 121, with 22 in hospital.

The health unit's no longer showing any "active" cases in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations).

Chapleau Council to Hold 1st 2023 Meeting

Chapleau Town Council's set to hold its first meeting of 2023.

Included on tonight's agenda is a delegation from Chapleau Public Utility manager Jason Rioux, by-laws to set an interim tax levy and adopt an Emergency Management Program and Response Plan, and resolutions to: permit cannabis retail stores; appoint a board member for Public Health Sudbury and Districts; approve the 2023 schedule of fees; and authorize purchase orders for LED streetlights and a telescopic loading chute for the trackless.

There are also three "in-camera" items about identifiable individuals such as municipal or local board employees.

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

PHSD Reminds Parents to Keep Kids Up-to-Date on Immunizations

A local health unit's reminding parents to keep their kids up to date on immunizations for preventable diseases.

Acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted regular programming - such as student immunizations - Public Health Sudbury and Districts says it will be sending out reminder letters to all secondary school students lacking up-to-date immunization regards, to remind Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act requires students under age 18 to have up-to-date records to attend school in person.

The health unit notes there are about 4200 students in secondary schools across its service area - which includes Chapleau - emphasizing a lack of vaccine protection can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases, like the meningitis outbreak seen in Toronto last summer.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 23 since Wednesday - seventeen in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District - pushing known "active" cases up slightly, to 133 - 20 in hospital, one in an ICU.

There are two cases still "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), down slightly from Wednesday's four.

The health unit's also reduced its COVID-related death toll, removing a death in Greater Sudbury in which it was unclear whether COVID was the cause or merely contributed - such a death was reported last Monday.

Wawa Council Updated on Limited Predator Control Hunt

Wawa Municipal Council received an update on the ongoing limited predator control hunt in town.

During this week's Committee of the Whole meeting, Charlie Todesco outlined some details of the effort for new councillors, noting that it has been running for five winters, with a small group of hunters occasionally watching three locations - the Tamarack Street snow dump, the Michipicoten Golf Course, and Wawa Creek, behind the Township garage - in order to address the local predators, particularly coyotes, who had even attacked pets in previous years.

The hunters do not use bait and must follow time and firearm restrictions, with signage posted in the areas they'd be watching, as Todesco emphasized "safety is the foremost concern".

Todesco explained that the 2021-22 season saw a six predator hunts conducted - totalling nineteen hours, all at the golf course - with two predator sightings and two killed, but he pointed out constraints from the severe weather conditions and a related increase in snow removal efforts, as well as reduced hunter participation, noting they're also limited by the number of tags they are issued as the MNRF says they can't be deemed "agents" of the Municipality.

While Council's already given approval for this season's hunt - approval is given yearly - Todesco did request assistance with access to the golf course, as it is owned by the Municipality, with municipal staff saying they'd look into it.

Early Bird Deadline Arrives for Wawa Ice Fishing Derby

Time's almost up for early birds to register for Wawa's annual ice fishing derby.

Noting there's five Early Bird draws of $1000 each, Derby Chair Scott Popert reminds there are a few ways to register in time.

Popert notes there is a slight change for this year's derby, compared to last year.

The annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby will be held March 3rd through 5th.

LDHC Foundation Thanks Community for Supporting Wish Campaign

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's thanking the community for supporting its annual holiday fundraising campaign.

Foundation Chair Susan Switzer says the "Wish campaign" went quite well.

While Switzer says this leaves the Foundation about $60,000 shy of its $240,000 commitment to the "One for the Dunn" campaign, Foundation Vice-Chair Lorraine Pihelgas notes another fundraiser's already been launched to help.

As for the "One for the Dunn" campaign, Switzer reminds that's a major project including the meditech expansion.

The Foundation also reminds donations are accepted any time of year, supporting the local hospital.

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 nineteen since Tuesday - ten in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in the Elliot Lake area, two in North Algoma (which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, and the Michipicoten and Missinabie Cree First Nations), the other two are unclear - pushing "high risk active" cases up slightly, to 65, with seventeen in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting 168 cases over the last week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts but does show 48 in hospital, one in an ICU.

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

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting sixteen since Monday - twelve in Greater Sudbury, three in the broader Sudbury District, and another in the Manitoulin District - though known "active" cases are down slightly, to 131 - twenty in hospital, one in an ICU - with four "active" in the northern Sudbury District (which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations), up slightly from Monday.

The health unit's holding an appointment only vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today - book through the provincial system or call the health unit.

North Algoma's moved to appointments rather than clinics - in Wawa, call the local Algoma Public Health office; in Dubreuilville, the Dubreuilville Medical Centre; in White River, the Northern Neighbours Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's reporting 63 cases over the last week - slightly below the previous week - it no longer breaks that down by region nor reports "active" case counts, but does show eighteen in hospital, up from the previous report.

Wawa Council Approves 2023 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's approved the Municipality's 2023 capital budget - in principle.

The approval was given in last night's regular meeting, just weeks after the budget was presented ahead of the holidays - the presentation can be found on the Municipality's YouTube channel and website - it outlines projects not just for this year but through 2026, with a total of $1,626,000 in new recommended projects for this year, for a total of $5,019,716 when combined with previous commitments, all intended to align with the municipal strategic plan, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure needs.

Before approving the resolution, Council was provided with a report further outlining priorities in the Capital Budget - including the urgency of each item - while Councillor Joseph Opato questioned the decision to purchase a "rolloff truck" for the landfill, though he was assured by Treasurer Manuela Batovanja that municipal staff very much focus on savings and value for money in budget preparations.

With the Capital Budget now approved, plans are for the Operating Budget to be presented February 7th, so it can come up for Council approval March 7th.

Potential MMCC Canteen Operator Found Despite No Response to RFP

It seems someone has stepped forward to run the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's canteen.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Wawa Municipal Council was told that there were no applications under the Request for Proposals released just before Christmas, though Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noted he was approached afterward by a "local member of our business community" who was interested in operating the canteen, with a proposal expected this week - Patterson noted the individual he would not name has a history of being able to operate "this type of franchise".

Council agreed to Patterson's request for more time to receive that proposal and hammer out a legal agreement for the next Council meeting, which will be held January 24th.

Patterson was also asked whether the kitchen was available for tournaments, and replied that did not happen last weekend but a couple volunteers would run the canteen this coming weekend.

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