Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Video: First ventilated COVID-19 patient discharged to applause, smiles:
Health Sciences North celebrated the discharge of its first COVID-19 patient who had been ventilated. Staff lined up and clapped as the unidentified man was wheeled out of the intensive care unit in a wheelchair.The man waved, smiled and profusely thanked the frontline health-care staff for the care they provided, giving a thumbs up to the camera as he was wheeled by. You can watch that video clip here.
Police: Road rage on The Kingsway led to multi-vehicle crash:
Greater Sudbury Police is seeking witnesses to a road rage incident that led to a collision on The Kingsway this past weekend. Around 6:45 p.m. on April 19, officers were called to the scene of a motor-vehicle collision on The Kingsway near Levesque Street. Leading up to the collision was a road rage incident involving a red Ford F-150 pickup and a black/dark grey Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. Both drivers were driving aggressively, causing other vehicles to become involved in the collision. No injuries were reported. “We are seeking witnesses to the road rage incident and the collision, as well as, the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of the Dodge Ram 2500,” said police in a news release. The Dodge Ram 2500 is described as being a four-door pickup truck with a short box and diesel engine. It is black or dark grey in colour and at the time of the incident had a truck cap on the box that was flush with the roof line. It may also have a suspension lift with large tires. Anyone with information is asked to contact Const. Hinds of the traffic management unit at 705-675-9171 ext. 2416.
Blue Jays broadcaster triples up on PPE deliveries to Northern Ontario hospitals:
The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of millions of Canadians, putting people out of work, forcing them to stay home and cancelling most forms of entertainment. For baseball fans, April is normally one of the most looked-forward-to months of the year, as professional baseball returns to the airwaves and stadiums are packed with hot dog-devouring, cap-wearing fans of America's favourite pastime. While the players are on standby, so too are the people that bring you the games, as broadcasters have been left without teams to cover as the MLB season sits on hiatus. For Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell, the delayed start to the MLB season has been anything but an increase in free time, as he's volunteered his time with Conquer COVID-19, a volunteer-driven organization that has been helping get critical supplies to the health-care community during the pandemic. "I'm honestly busier now than if I had a baseball season to tend to every day," said Campbell, who stopped at Health Sciences North on April 17 to drop off 102 boxes of N95 masks and 50 boxes of ear loop masks. Get the full story here.
Woman in her 20s is Sudbury's 47th confirmed case of COVID-19:
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting the 47th case of COVID-19 in the area. The latest case is a woman in her 20s who was exposed by close contact with another case. She was tested on April 21 and is currently self-isolating. There have been 2,629 people tested for COVID-19 in Greater Sudbury to date, with 2,288 negative tests and 47 positive tests. To date, 37 cases have been resolved and one person has died. There are currently 296 tests that are under investigation.
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe: Positive COVID-19 modelling ‘not a signal’ we can relax social distancing:
Despite COVID-19 modelling for Ontario released yesterday that “produced some optimistic findings and messaging,” the medical officer for health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts said physical distancing still needs to continue for now. “This is not a signal that we now need to relax those measures,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe in a video posted to the health unit’s Facebook page Tuesday. “It’s tough,” Sutcliffe added. “It’s tough on everybody to be isolated in their homes, whether you’re with your children, trying to help to school them, or only going out for essential reasons. It’s very difficult. But we have to maintain that right now. We have been effective, and the only way for us to continue to be effective is to keep up with these measures.” You can watch Dr. Sutcliffe's statement here.
Seven more cases, 11 more COVID-19 recoveries reported in Northern Ontario:
Northern Ontario health units reported seven more cases of COVID-19 since Tuesday afternoon, along with 11 recoveries. One of these cases was reported by the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) and four by the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU), following its investigation into the outbreak at the Timmins and District Hospital. The two remaining cases were reported by Public Health Sudbury and Districts, the most recent of which is a woman in her 20s who is believed to have contracted the virus through close contact with another case. Another four recoveries in the area were announced along with this update, bringing the total number of active cases in the area down to 10. Two recoveries were also reported by the NWHU, three by the Algoma Health Unit, one by the North Bay and Parry Sound District Health Unit, and one by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. A total of 208 individuals have been confirmed to have the virus in the region to date resulting in the deaths of four. There are currently 63 active cases, following the testing of 9,749, of which 6,713 have been negative.
Ford calls in Canadian Armed Forces to help fight COVID-19 in long-term care homes:
The Ontario government is requesting help from the federal government — including from the Canadian Armed Forces — to fight COVID-19 in the province's long-term care homes. To further support ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19 in Ontario's long-term care homes, the federal government has offered resources that could include personnel and other supports from Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Armed Forces, said a press release from the province. This support would be deployed to five priority long-term care homes as one element of the government's Action Plan. The Ontario government was expected to make a formal request Wednesday to access those extra reinforcements. Full story and video from Premier Doug Ford's Wednesday press conference here.
Trudeau announces $9B COVID-19 support for post-sec students, recent grads:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a nearly $9 billion support package for post-secondary students and recent graduates amid COVID-19. The plan will help provide the financial support they need this summer, help them continue their studies in the fall, and help many get the experience they need to start their careers, said a press release from the federal government. “The future of our economy and our country relies on the opportunities and support we provide to Canadian students today,” said Trudeau, in a press release. “To promote a sustainable economic recovery, we need a strong workforce and good job opportunities for young people. That means giving them the support they need to continue their studies and encouraging them to serve their communities. Together, we will get through this difficult time.” Watch Trudeau's press conference here.
Thursday Weather:
It's going to warm up a little bit out there today. Mostly sunny skies for Thursday with the high sitting at around 6. Clear skies overhead into the evening with the low dipping to -5. Overnight low will be -5, warming up by Friday morning. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
