PHSD Urges COVID Safety After Reporting "Cluster" of New Cases in Sudbury

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is pointing to a "cluster" of new COVID-19 cases as proof of a need to be COVID-safe.

The health unit's confirmed eight new cases in Greater Sudbury, noting that's a total of 21 since December 21st, or 275 since the beginning of the pandemic - leaving the health unit with seventeen "active" at this time - and it comes as the province reported a record-high 2923 new cases.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says eight of the cases reported over the holiday season have been linked to common exposures including a Christmas Eve gathering, adding "seeing cases that come from activities that are frankly against public health advice and current shutdown measures is frustrating at best", emphasizing "lives and livelihoods are in the balance", pointing to recent surges in the Timiskaming, Thunder Bay, and Simcoe Muskoka areas.

Sutcliffe reminds the provincewide shutdown - which is in effect for Northern Ontario until at least January 9th - restricts indoor gatherings only to those in your household, while outdoor organized events and social gatherings are limited to ten people, who must comply with physical distancing advice.

APH Extends Advisory Against Travel to Chippewa County

Algoma Public Health's extending a warning for those who travel to Chippewa County for work or school to seek virtual options, if possible.

Citing "ongoing high COVID-19 activity" in the Michigan county - which has seen more than 37,000 cases, with more than 500 currently "active" - the local health unit says it's extending the advisory originally issued in early November to January 26th, 2021.

The advisory recommends avoiding cross-border travel - using virtual options, if possible - and those who must go should 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.

Those who do cross the border should also stay home "as much as possible" for fourteen days after returning to Algoma, not having close contact with others - especially not with vulnerable people, like the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

PHSD Confirms 267th Case of COVID-19

Another COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says its 267th case is in Greater Sudbury - the 238th case for the city - but it's not yet known how the person was exposed to the coronavirus.

This brings the health unit's number of "active" cases to ten.

Algoma Public Health still has three "active" cases, while the Porcupine Health Unit has nine, and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit 84.

APH Honours Wawa Pastor for Efforts Amid COVID-19

Algoma Public Health's honouring a Wawa pastor for his efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local health unit says Pastor Mike Paquette of Wawa Baptist Church was nominated as a Mental Health and Wellness Champion, for going "above and beyond during this pandemic", offering to obtain groceries for those who may not be able to do so themselves, continuously making calls and Zoom conversations with members of the community, and stepping up "to make sure that members of his community are safe".

APH announced its annual Public Health Champions earlier this month - including the Wawa Family Health Team and Doctors Sean Robinson and Jamileh Shaffaf as "Amplifier Champion" - though it has decided to highlight other nominees for their "amazing work".

All Local Health Units Report More COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health reported its 65th case on Boxing Day - the 59th in the Sault Ste. Marie area - leaving it with three "active" resident cases, and another two of non-residents "temporarily in Algoma".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed five cases since Christmas Eve - mainly in Greater Sudbury, but some in the Sudbury District - bringing it to a total of 266, with eleven "active".

Over the same time, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed 24 more cases in the Thunder Bay area, including five where fifteen residents have died from COVID-related causes - the health unit's seen seventeen COVID-related deaths out of 569 cases, with 85 cases still "active".

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported another case in Timmins, bringing the health unit to 128 cases, nine "active".

LDHCF Wish Campaign Continues Through Holidays

While Christmas is behind us, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation is reminding there's still time to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign continues into the new year, and Foundation Intern Angele Guy explains it supports an important equipment purchase.

Vice Chair Susan Switzer reminds people should not go to the hospital to donate, but there are options.

The Wish Campaign ends the first week of 2021, though Switzer reminds the Foundation will accept donations any time of year.

Wawa's 2nd Ice Candle Celebration Day Going Ahead With Changes Amid Shutdown

A recent Wawa tradition is going ahead this weekend - but in a different manner.

Wawa Cemetery Committee chair - and municipal councillor - Bill Chiasson explains shutdown regulations means the 2nd Annual Ice Candle Celebration Day will be held Sunday, but participants can't join in.

Chiasson notes "well over 251" ice candles were ordered this year - funds raised support cemetery beautification.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Wish Campaign Continues

With Christmas nearly here, the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's asking residents to help grant a wish from the local hospital.

The foundation's annual "Wish Upon A Star" campaign continues through the holiday season, with Foundation Intern Angele Guy reminding it supports an important equipment purchase.

Guy notes there's a slight change due to COVID-19: rather than honouring donors with a star on a tree in the hospital lobby, the stars are sent to the donors to put on their tree.

Donations can be made online or via mail - even after Christmas - with the campaign ending the first week of 2021.

Holiday Closures Begin for Local Municipalities

Local municipalities are closing for the holidays.

The Municipality of Wawa notes its offices and Information Technology/GIS Department are closed until January 4th, though Infrastructure Services is open today and most of next week - except New Year's Day - while the landfill is currently closed, but open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday next week.

The Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's closed at noon today, and will stay closed as long as the provincewide lockdown's in effect - it expects to reopen January 11th.

Chapleau's AW Moore Arena, is also closed at noon today "until further notice", while the Chapleau Civic Centre and Library are closed now until January 5th, with the landfill closing tomorrow through Monday, and again from January 1st through the 4th.

Wawa's St. Monica Parish Tightens Restriction Amid Province-Wide Shutdown

Wawa's Catholic church is tightening its own restrictions amid the provincewide shutdown.

St. Monica's Parish has announced - for fourteen days, starting Boxing Day - all masses will be restricted to only ten parishioners, who must pre-register.

The church assures Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses will be conducted as planned, though - as it announced last week - they're restricted to parishioners and guests who've pre-registered for those services.

PHSD Reports New Cases in Greater Sudbury & Sudbury District

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three new cases in Greater Sudbury - and another in an unspecified Sudbury District community, noting three stem from close contact with a known case, while the other is "travel related".

While this brings the health unit to 261 cases, it's also reporting four more are "resolved", keeping the number "active" at nine.

Algoma Public Health is currently reporting one "active" resident case in the Central and East Algoma area, but also two cases of "non-residents" temporarily in Algoma, more specifically the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Local Hospitals Warn of Changes Amid Province-Wide Shutdown

Local hospitals are warning of changes due to the upcoming provincewide lockdown.

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre warns certain non-urgent procedures and services will be suspended and others offered virtually - your health care provider should contact you directly if there's a change - while Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging services follow holiday hours, but people are asked to follow provincial direction and "stay home as much as possible, if appropriate".

Visitations to Acute Care patients are suspended during the lockdown - except for compassionate reasons, to be determined by the health care team - while the Emergency Department and outpatient clinics will be limited to those seeking care, though vulnerable patients and those experiencing a "life-altering event" can be accompanied.

Pre-approved care partners can continue to visit long-term care through Christmas, but - as of Boxing Day - only "designated caregivers" are able to visit long-term care residents - exceptions may be made for those in palliative care.

Visitors outside the Algoma District - or those who've had close contact with someone outside of Algoma - are not able to visit.

Services de sante de Chapleau Health Services similarly warns the lockdown restricts long-term care and alternate level of care visitors to "essential caregivers", though visits to in-patients are not allowed during the lockdown, and residents and patients must stay in the home.

More COVID-19 Cases in Thunder Bay & Timmins

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting 23 in Thunder Bay - 14 of them at a long-term care home in the city, where fourteen residents have died from COVID-related causes.

That brings the health unit to 545 cases, 106 of which are "active"

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting two in Timmins, both from contact with a known case - this brings the health unit to 127 cases, nine "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - which reported three more cases in Greater Sudbury last night - has nine "active" - with Vale confirming one at the Coleman Mine near Sudbury - while Algoma Public Health says a resident in the Central and East Algoma area is its 63rd case, though two "non-residents temporarily in" the Sault Ste. Marie area have also tested positive: it notes all three are "active", but only the resident counts toward its stats.

PHSD Confirms 3 More COVID-19 Cases in Greater Sudbury

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Sudbury.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting three more in Greater Sudbury, but also four more "resolved" cases, leaving the health unit with nine "active".

It has seen 257 cases since the pandemic began.

Algoma Public Health reported its 63rd case late yesterday - it's in the Central and East Algoma area - though it's also reporting two other "active" cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, both noted to be "non-residents" temporarily in Algoma.

Wawa Council Considering 2021 Capital Projects

The Municipality of Wawa's seeking public input, as Council considers next year's capital projects.

In a recent meeting, staff presented Council with a draft 2021 Capital Budget, which includes over $10-million in proposed projects, nearly $3.4-million in projects Council approved in previous years, $1.6-million in recommended "high priority" projects, and more than $5-million that's "subject to funding".

Projects already approved to some extent include: a Strategic Plan and Corporate Review; work at Scenic High Falls Park, which was paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic; remaining work from the Connecting Link project; School Zone rehabilitation; sidewalk rehabilitation; water main valve replacement; a new fire hydrant in the Michipicoten River Village, near the water tower; and landfill expansion.

Other "high priority" projects discussed: new municipal financial software; an asset management update; Community Centre improvements and Arena modernization; a new parks mower; a new pump for a fire truck that otherwise can't be certified; a new tandem truck for Infrastructure Services; cemetery expansion, as only 75 plots remain at this time; asphalt preservation; a municipal phone system upgrade; firewall and security network; and a wireless mesh network for the municipality's network.

In an effort for long-term planning, the draft also outlines some projects through 2024, including a new Fire Pumper Truck, a new Fire Hall, and pavement rehabilitation.

Much of the project costs would be covered by grants or donations, followed by contributions from reserves, with a low amount expected to come directly from taxation, while items relating to the water system would at least partly draw on water and sewer fees.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality's YouTube channel - plans are to accept public input into January, in hopes Council will approve the capital budget January 19th, then receive the draft operating budget in mid-February, for approval in mid-March.

Chapleau's AW Moore Arena to Close Until Further Notice Due to Provincewide Shutdown

Chapleau's arena is extending its upcoming holiday break - indefinitely.

As planned, the AW Moore Arena will close at noon on Thursday, December 24th (Christmas Eve), but - instead of reopening days later - it's now set to stay closed "until further notice", depending on when the provincewide lockdown is lifted, and restrictions in force for the region at that time.

Wawa's Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's expecting to reopen January 11th, but may stay closed longer, depending on restrictions.

Ontario-Wide COVID-19 Shutdown Forces Change to Wawa's Ice Candle Celebration

Ontario's upcoming COVID-19 shutdown is forcing changes to Wawa's 2nd Ice Candle Celebration Day.

Wawa Cemetery Committee chair - and municipal councillor - Bill Chiasson explains shutdown regulations means participants can't join in, but the candles will still be placed.

Chiasson notes "well over 251" ice candles were ordered these year, with funds raised by those orders supporting cemetery beautification.

TBDHU Confirms New COVID-19 Death, More Cases

Another COVID-19 death's been reported at a Thunder Bay long-term care home.

Southbridge Roseview's website now shows 14 residents have died from the virus, while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed the 16th death in its region.

The health unit - meanwhile - reported fourteen new cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing the health unit's total to 522, 98 of which are "active", including fourteen residents and eight staff at Southbridge Roseview.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reporting three more cases in the James and Hudson Bay area, and one in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area - that brings the health unit to 125 cases, eight "active".

Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has ten "active", while Algoma Public Health says there's no cases among residents, though it is reporting two cases of non-residents "temporarily in Algoma", in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

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