Algoma Sees 20th COVID-19 Death, APH & PHSD Report Rising New Cases

Algoma Public Health's confirmed its 20th COVID-19 death.

Citing "respect for the family", the health unit isn't giving any further details about the death, which comes just a week after its nineteenth.

The health unit's also reporting 104 new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area plus seven in Central and East Algoma, and five in the Elliot Lake area - it currently has 402 "active", three in hospital.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 186 in Greater Sudbury, thirteen in the Sudbury District, and two in the Manitoulin District.

It has a record 816 "active", fourteen in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - it doesn't specify the community, but an outbreak was declared at Chapleau's Bignucolo Residence last Thursday.

LDHCF Recommends New Year's Resolution - Supporting the Hospital

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation's suggesting residents make a different new year's resolution for 2022.

Acknowledging resolutions are often about changing our own lives for the better - like losing weight or being more active - it's suggesting "a resolution that keeps giving through the whole year and supports our local hospital", joining its monthly giving club for as little as $5 a month - and it suggests challenging a friend, business, or organization to do the same.

This comes as the foundation's annual Wish campaign is heading into its final week, which Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas reminds is meant to address the hospital's greatest needs, seeking to raise $100,000 for a new piece of equipment as part of a "Meditech expansion".

The Wish Campaign ends January 8th, though the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

TBDHU Reports 70th COVID-19 Death, Cases Confirmed in Marathon & Manitouwadge Areas

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

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's giving no details about its 70th death related to the illness, which comes just shy of two weeks after its 69th.

The health unit's also reporting 100 new cases in the Thunder Bay area and two more in district communities, leaving it with 312 "active", including four in hospital.

Though it doesn't name specific communities, the Marathon Family Health Team's reported six cases in the last week - with five "active" as of Tuesday - while Sante Manitouwadge Health is reporting two new cases as of yesterday, both still "active".

Meanwhile, the Porcupine Health Unit's added 103 cases in the Timmins area, nineteen in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, twelve in the Kapuskasing, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty, Moonbeam, and Fauquier-Strickland area, nine in the James and Hudson Bay region, and three in the Hearst and Hornepayne area - that brings the health unit to 479 "active" cases, about three-quarters in the Timmins area.

PHSD & APH Reporting Rising COVID-19 Cases

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

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting 152 in Greater Sudbury, ten in the Manitoulin District, and eight in the Sudbury District, leaving the health unit with 650 "active" - including nine in the northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - though the health unit says confirmed case figures "are an underestimate of the true number of people with COVID-19 in Sudbury and districts, given that access to PCR testing is increasingly limited, positive rapid antigen test results are not reported to [the health unit], and the likelihood that people with asymptomatic infections may not seek testing".

Algoma Public Health's added 58 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, three in Central and East Algoma, one in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation.

The health unit's reported 1922 cases since the pandemic began, with 307 currently "active", three in hospital.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's warning of potential "high risk" exposure on Air Canada flight 8436 from Toronto to Timmins at 6:27 pm last Thursday, December 23rd, specifically those in rows seven to eleven.

Charges Expected After Standoff in Wawa

Charges are expected after a domestic call led to an increased police presence in Wawa yesterday.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed to JJAM FM News that they were responding to a call that was "domestic in nature" on Mackey Street Tuesday morning, though the individual in the residence refused to leave - Emergency Response Team members were called in to assist local officers to help resolve the incident peacefully, which police say it was, with the situation declared "resolved" by 10 o'clock last night.

No charges have been announced at this time, nor has the accused been publicly identified.

Lady Dunn Health Centre Tightening Visitor Restrictions

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre's tightening restrictions amid concerns about the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The hospital's announced - starting tomorrow - it is further restricting visitors, prohibiting visitors in the Emergency Department or Outpatient visits - including the Dubreuilville clinic, Wawa Family Health Team, diagnostic and imaging lab - with an exception for a fully vaccinated care partner for those with communication, physical, or cognitive impairments or a mental health crisis.

It's also limiting the maternity ward to two fully vaccinated care partners - both may be present during the birth, but only one at a time during postpartum time - while two fully vaccinated care partners will be allowed at the same time in the Critical or Trauma unit or for Palliative Care/End of Life, with exceptions for additional care partners will be made on a compassionate case-by-case basis.

In the Acute Care area - including Alternate Level of Care or Respite - two fully vaccinated designated care partners will be allowed but only one can make a single visit each day - between 8 am and 8 pm - there is no visiting hour restriction for youth in that area.

For the Long-Term Care Unit, two fully vaccinated designated caregivers will be allowed to visit - both at the same time, if they wish - but no general visitors.

Those who do visit - if allowed - will be screened each time, will need to show proof of vaccination or proof of a valid exemption, and will need to follow other measures - regular testing will also be required for designated care partners for the acute and long-term care units.

COVID-19 Outbreak Declared at Chapleau's Bignucolo Residence

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Chapleau's Bignucolo Residence.

Services de sante de Chapleau Health Services says those who've tested positive are in isolation while staff, designated caregivers, residents, and patients are tested using PCR nasal swabs with repeat tests today and next Wednesday, and increased infection prevention measures are in place as it screens and monitors staff, residents, and patients for symptoms.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts isn't saying how many cases have been linked to the outbreak declared last Thursday at the long-term care facility - Chapleau Health Services notes an outbreak is declared after two confirmed positive cases connected within a defined period of time - but multiple cases have been reported in the northern Sudbury District in recent weeks - that region includes Chapleau, Cartier, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The health unit's added a total of 350 cases since Thursday - 309 in Greater Sudbury, 28 in the Sudbury District, and twelve in the Manitoulin District - leaving it with a record 531 "active": 433 in Greater Sudbury; 40 in the Manitoulin District; 38 in the western Sudbury District; nine in the eastern; and nine in the northern.

It's also reporting 204 cases confirmed or presumed to be variants of concern, and warning of possible exposure on an Ontario Northland bus from Yorkdale Mall in Toronto to Sudbury December 20th.

PHSD is holding an "appointment-only" vaccination clinic at its Chapleau office today and another at the Chapleau and District Family Health Team office tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Algoma Public Health's added 31 cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area, five in Central and East Algoma, two in the Elliot Lake area, and two in North Algoma, leaving it with 264 "active", three in hospital.

North Algoma - which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - has seen three new cases in recent days, though the exact community has not been revealed.

APH Reports 100 COVID-19 Cases Over Holiday Weekend

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

Algoma Public Health added 100 over the weekend - 81 in the Sault Ste. Marie area, thirteen in Central and East Algoma, five in the Elliot Lake area, and another in North Algoma, which includes Wawa, Dubreuilville, White River, Michipicoten First Nation, and Missinabie Cree First Nation - leaving it with 252 "active", three in hospital.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit added ten in the Thunder Bay area and another in an unspecified district community, leaving it with 153 "active", including three in hospital.

The Porcupine Health Unit is warning of possible exposure at The Surge in Timmins on December 17th and 18th, Air Creebec Flight YN871 from Timmins to Fort Albany December 20th, and the Polar Bear Express from Cochrane to Moosonee December 24th.

LDHCF Reminds Wish Campaign Continues Into 2022

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 campaign continues into the new year, and Foundation Chair Susan Switzer explains there are two ways to support it.

Vice Chair Lorraine Pihelgas reminds the campaign supports the hospital's "Meditech expansion".

As of last week, the campaign had raised nearly $45,000.

The Wish Campaign ends January 8th, though the Foundation reminds donations are accepted any time of year.

APH Reports 19th COVID-19 Death, More Cases Across Region

Algoma's seen its nineteenth COVID-19 death since the pandemic began.

Algoma Public Health isn't giving any further details about the death reported Thursday night, less than a week after its eighteenth.

It also reported nineteen new cases in the Sault Ste. Marie area and two more in the Elliot Lake area, leaving it with 251 "active", five in hospital.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts added 46 cases in Greater Sudbury, nine in the Sudbury District, and sixteen in the Manitoulin District, bringing it to 349 "active", including five in the Northern Sudbury District, which includes Chapleau, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit has added 100 cases in the Thunder Bay area and eighteen in unspecified district communities - leaving it with 152 "active", three in hospital, one in an ICU - while the Porcupine Health Unit added 40 in the Timmins area, one in the Hearst and Hornepayne region, fourteen in the Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls, and Smooth Rock Falls area, and three in the James and Hudson Bay region, bringing it to 191 "active".

Lady Dunn Health Centre Closures Over Holidays

Wawa’s Lady Dunn Health Centre is warning of a few closures amid the holiday season.

In addition to normal closures, the hospital warns that its Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging Services, COVID-19 Assessment Centre, Diabetes Education, and the Dubreuilville Clinic will be closed Monday, December 27th and Tuesday the 28th, as well as the following Monday, January 3rd.

It also notes the Diabetes Education program will be open 8:30 am to 1 pm Wednesday, December 29th through Friday, December 31st, while the Dubreuilville Clinic will be open from 8:30 am to 1 pm Friday, December 31st.

COVID-19 restrictions will still apply.

Wawa and Chapleau Closures Over Holidays

Local municipalities are set to close for the holidays.

The Municipality of Wawa notes its offices and Information Technology/GIS Department are closed December 24th through January 4th, while Infrastructure Services is closed December 24th through 27th, as well as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - the transit service will follow a similar schedule, while the landfill will also be open New Year's Eve.

The Wawa Public Library’s also closing December 24th through January 3rd - reopening on the 4th - while the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre's already closed, scheduled to reopen January 3rd.

In Chapleau, the Civic Centre and the Library will close December 24th - reopening January 5th - while the landfill's only closed the 25th through the 28th and January 1st through 5th, and the arena's only closed Saturday, December 25th and Sunday, December 26th then January 1st and 2nd, though ice rentals during that time must be booked by noon December 24th.

APH Changing COVID-19 Case and Contact Management

Algoma Public Health's changing the way it manages COVID-19 cases and contacts.

The health unit says it's redirecting resources to focus on immunization as it focuses on responding to rapid spread amid the highly transmissible Omicron variant, and high case counts in this region, which are expected to rise.

As part of that effort, the health unit says it will no longer provide "direct guidance" to all close contacts or updates to workplaces where there is an active case, instead focusing local case and contact management efforts on "highest risk settings" only - including hospitals, health care settings, long-term care and retirement homes, congregate living settings, schools, daycares, and First Nation communities - while the provincial workforce supporting case management in Ontario will contact individual cases not connected to a highest risk setting exposure, providing guidance on testing, self-isolation, and informing household members and other close contacts.

It does warn that there may be delays in being contacted - given the anticipated surge in cases - so anyone who's symptomatic or awaiting test results or have received positive test results should take action without waiting for a call by following guidance on its site, testing, self-isolating, and notifying any close contacts as directed.

Chapleau NDMNRF Thanking Community for Supporting Food Drive

Chapleau staff of Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry are thanking the community for supporting their annual food drive.

Wednesday's event at the Chapleau Valu-Mart was able to raise 663 food items and $1050 in monetary donations, all donated to the Chapleau Pentecostal Church.

Organizers particularly highlight the support of the Valu-Mart for hosting them, and Miss Muggins for supplying food and beverages for the day.

Early Bird Winner Announced for MVFA Cash Draw

Wawa's firefighters are congratulating a Wawa woman for claiming the first draw in an annual fundraising campaign.

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association President Kyle Ouellet says the "Early Bird" draw for their cash draw was held this morning.

Ouellet notes there's been good support for the campaign so far.

While ticket sales halted ahead of the draw, they've now resumed - available at many places in the community, and through local firefighters - with another $1000 draw set for Valentine's Day, then three more - and the $10,000 grand prize - at the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby.

Fort Frances 30yo Charged With Impaired Driving in Dubreuilville

A Northwestern Ontario driver's facing impaired driving charges after a complaint in Dubreuilville.

Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers received the complaint of a possible impaired driver on Rue des Pins after 1 o'clock Monday afternoon, with police locating the vehicle and - with subsequent investigation - determining the driver was impaired by alcohol.

The 30-year-old from Fort Frances has been charged with operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs and operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), scheduled to appear in Wawa's Ontario Court of Justice in January.

APH & PHSD Report New COVID-19 Cases

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

Algoma Public Health's added 36 in the Sault Ste. Marie area and five in Central and East Algoma, bringing it to 1697 total, with 248 "active", five in hospital.

It's also warning that - while no cases of Omicron have been confirmed in its region - "a number" are suspected and presumed to be that variant, pending lab results.

Meanwhile, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has added 29 COVID-19 cases in Greater Sudbury, eight in the Sudbury District - including at least one in the Northern part, which includes Chapleau, Foleyet, Gogama, and neighbouring First Nations - plus three in the Manitoulin District.

That brings its total to 4697, with 300 "active": four in the northern Sudbury District; one in the eastern part; 37 in the western; 34 in the Manitoulin District; and the remaining 221 in Greater Sudbury.

Both are urging everyone get fully vaccinated, including your third or booster dose, if eligible - Algoma appointments can be booked through APH's website while appointments in the Sudbury district can be booked through the province's online appointment site or by calling PHSD at 1-800-708-2505.

Harte Gold Remaining in Creditor Protection, With Financing Approved

The owner of White River's gold mine will remain in creditor protection into the new year.

Harte Gold says the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted an Amended and Restated Initial Order which extends the "stay period" until January 31st while increasing the amount authorized for borrowing under Harte's Debtor-in-Possession Financing Agreement to $10.8-million, the maximum offered in a financing agreement announced as a way for Harte to continue operations as it filed for creditor protection.

In addition, the Court's granted an order for Harte to conduct a "sale and investment solicitation process", including approving the execution of a subscription agreement with a numbered company that is a wholly-owned - but indirect subsidiary - of Australian company Silver Lake Resources Limited - that agreement will serve as a "stalking horse bid" to establish baseline consideration for Harte's business and assets, with "superior" proposals invited - if none are submitted, then the numbered company will be declared the successful bidder and become Harte's sole shareholder.

US Rail Regulator Approves CN Sale of ACR & Other Lines

The US rail regulator's approved CN's sale of the Algoma Central Railway and other lines south of the border to an American short-line owner.

CN and US service and logistics company Watco have announced the US Surface Transportation Board's approved the sale of about 250 miles of track or "non-core lines and assets on the Soo subdivision" from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba - along with roughly 650 miles of branch lines of Wisconsin Central Ltd. in Wisconsin and Michigan - with the two companies promising to work together in the coming weeks "to implement a seamless transition for customers on the lines".

Watco's already one of the largest short-line railroad holding companies in the U-S - with more than 5000 miles of track - while railroads controlled by Watco currently operate over 600 miles of track in Wisconsin.

Local Businesses Receiving Support Amid COVID-19 Restrictions

Several local businesses are receiving provincial support to adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines.

The provincial government's announced the Northern Ontario Recovery Program is providing more than $1.5-million for 74 businesses in the Algoma and Manitoulin regions, including over $91,000 for four businesses in Wawa, over $147,000 for six businesses in Chapleau, over $12,600 for a Dubreuilville business, over $22,000 for a White River business, $25,000 for a Manitouwadge business, and nearly $28,000 for one in Hornepayne.