Good morning, Greater Sudbury, here are a few stories to start your day.
Ontario Catholic teachers reach tentative agreement with the province
There appears to be some light at the end of the teachers' strike tunnel. Late Thursday afternoon, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the province and is suspending strike action during the ratification process. OECTA president Liz Stuart issued a statement at around 4:30 p.m. on March 12. “OECTA has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association and the Government of Ontario on central terms for a new collective agreement. Details of the agreement remain confidential pending ratification," Stuart's statement reads.
All publicly funded Ontario schools closing for two weeks after March Break as part of COVID-19 response
Ontario is closing all public schools for two weeks following March break amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday. It came as the province announced 17 new confirmed cases — its biggest surge to date — bringing the total to 59. The decision to close schools from March 14 to April 5 is based on advice from Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Ford said in a joint statement with Health Minister Christine Elliott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce. "We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe," they said.
Quick-acting Good Samaritans perform CPR on pedestrian hit by truck on Notre Dame
A night out playing darts turned into a scene from a movie for four Sudburians who witnessed a pedestrian get hit by a vehicle March 11. Josee Boudreau said she and three other people were driving home from Onaping just before 11 p.m, where they had been playing darts. They were at the intersection of Notre Dame Street and King Street when Boudreau said a two women attempted to cross the street against a red light. One of the women was hit by another vehicle. Greater Sudbury Police said a 36-year-old woman suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the collision.
OHL and NBLC suspend season until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns
The NHL announced yesterday afternoon that it is suspending the remainder of the regular season over coronavirus concerns. The NBA already announced this week that it is suspending its season over the virus outbreak. All three CHL leagues, including the OHL, are pressing pause on the 2019-2020 season until further notice. The Sudbury Wolves game tonight in Peterborough is cancelled as of now. Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that it is suspending spring training and delaying the opening day of the season by two weeks. The National Basketball League of Canada also announced today that it is suspending the season effective immediately and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.
Ontario reports 17 new cases of COVID-19, including a baby
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario has risen by 17 overnight to 54, including one baby at North York General Hospital, all in southern Ontario. Ontario has approved 4,185 tests for the virus so far. Of those, 3,590 have been negative. There are 536 cases under investigation, with 54 confirmed positives. Five patients have recovered. There are no deaths in Ontario attributable to COVID-19 so far.
HSN sets up extra COVID-19 triage, no need to call ahead anymore
Health Sciences North has no admitted patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital said in a health bulletin yesterday morning. "We continue to monitor our situation closely," the bulletin reads. "At this time, we continue with regular operations." If you are heading to the ER with suspected symptoms of COVID-19, you are asked to come alone and not bring a visitor with you.
Opinion: Sudbury doc offers advice, perspective on COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Peter Zalan, the former president of the medical staff at Health Sciences North, penned a column on COVID-19, what health agencies are doing to address it, and what the public can and should be doing to keep themselves safe and keep themselves from panicking.
Ontario's first wave of COVID-19 assessment centres all in southern Ontario
Dedicated COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario are set to open in the next several days. The government says the first wave of such centres will be facilities at Brampton Civic Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, North York General Hospital, Mackenzie Health in York Region, Scarborough Health Network, and Trillium Health Partners in Peel Region. The centres will be located in separate spaces to protect other patients. More centres are set to be established across the province in the next few weeks.
