Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Rate of new COVID-19 cases falling, testing rising provincewide
Ontario public health units logged 294 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday, in what stands as the lowest daily increase since March 31. Three of these cases were found in Northern Ontario, bringing the total number of cases confirmed in the region to 272, including 226 resolutions and 8 deaths, following the testing of 30,012. Read the full story here.
Two dead after canoe capsizes in Mudge Bay off Manitoulin
Two people died in a double marine fatality Saturday after a canoe capsized off Manitoulin Island. Neither of the men has been wearing a life jacket. They were later identified as 31-year-old Kyle Jokinen from Whitefish and 29-year-old David Adamczack from Espanola. Read the full story here.
Finlandia Village declares COVID-19 outbreak
Finlandia Village Nursing Home declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on Saturday, in response to an employee testing positive for the virus through the ongoing targeted surveillance of long-term care home staff and residents. The latest case was a Greater Sudbury woman in her 30s, who works within the administration department located in the Lepokoti apartment building, as confirmed by Finlandia Village later that day. Read the full story here.
Sudbury fire ban remains in place despite low fire risk
The calendar says it's spring, but Mother Nature isn't cooperating as Greater Sudbury was covered in a fresh blanket of snow on May 8. When the spring weather does finally decide to stick around, however, it's unlikely that Sudburians will be able to enjoy a backyard fire as the city and province's fire restrictions appear likely to remain in place for some time. Read the full story here.
Ontario to open provincial parks and conservation reserves
The Ontario government is opening provincial parks and conservation reserves for limited day-use access. The first areas will open on Monday May 11, with the remaining areas opening on Friday May 15. At this time, recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking, and birdwatching. Day visitors will also be able to access all parks and conservation reserves for free until the end of the month. Read the full story here.
Timelapse: Stir crazy staffer sculpts giant coronavirus out of snow
Greater Sudbury broke a record for snowfall on May 7 after two different spring snowstorms fell within a 24-hour period. Many Sudbury residents were not happy when they woke up on Friday to find eight centimetres of snow blanketing their patio furniture, lawns and driveways. But Sudbury.com staffer Heather Green-Oliver decided to make the best of the situation. Read the full story here.
Ontario to prop-up child-care providers with financial supports
The provincial government said it will help cover operating costs for child-care providers and waive their licensing fees in an effort to keep them from permanently shutting during the COVID-19 crisis. Education Minister Stephen Lecce said Saturday that the government will give out funding on a case-by-case basis and has not earmarked a set amount of money for the initiative. Read the full story here.
School board staff redeployed to fill critical shortages during COVID-19
School board employees have been granted the authority to work outside of the education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, to fill critical staffing shortage in congregate care settings. Congregate care settings being hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes and women shelters, which as stated in a provincial press release, are in dire need of custodial and maintenance workers. Read the full story here.
Manitoulin ferry opens to transport-only traffic on June 1
The Chi-Cheemaun ferry will open for essential transportation only on June 1. Essential transportation for commerce, including hydro or telecommunications workers, or trucks carrying goods, livestock or other commodities. Under these terms, the ferry will not be open to travellers for tourism or leisure purposes. Read the full story here.
Mainly sunny skies to welcome in the work week
Mainly sunny skies in the forecast for Monday, once early morning cloudiness clears around noon. Wind up to 15 km/h is expected to make the high of 5 C, feel more like -9 C in the morning but not effect the temperature much after that. Clear skies to carry into the evening, followed by increased cloudiness overnight. Wind up to 15 km/h promised to make the low of -6 C, feel more like -10 C overnight.