Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Lo-Ellen outbreak: Public Health Sudbury ‘thoroughly investigating’ COVID-19 cluster:
Following the declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak associated with Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Public Health Sudbury & Districts says it is working closely with school authorities and “thoroughly investigating” the outbreak, the first at a local school. It’s doing so to “monitor the outbreak, further limit the spread of infection, and ensure ongoing measures are maintained to protect students and employees,” said a press release sent out by the health unit Monday afternoon. Three COVID-19 cases have now been reported at Lo-Ellen since late last week. As per provincial direction, a school outbreak is declared if there are two or more cases in a school that are linked and if there is evidence that at least one case could have been infected in the school, said the health unit. The cases and the outbreak declaration have required certain classes to be dismissed. Other individuals with exposures in specific parts of the school also have been notified and directed to self-isolate. The school has sent all parents and guardians a notice about the outbreak, which includes additional Public Health guidance. All individuals who have been directed to self-isolate have been issued a letter from Public Health and these individuals are also being contacted directly by Public Health staff. More on this story here.
Greater Sudbury mayor responds to Sudbury.com editorial:
Greater Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger penned a letter to the editor at Sudbury.com, in resonse to the recent editorial "Politicians’ attention to downtown has to be more than passionate lip-service" (https://www.sudbury.com/editorial/editorial-politicians-attention-to-downtown-has-to-be-more-than-passionate-lip-service-2817752). "It was, unfortunately, missing many facts that I’m happy to share with you in this letter. I can assure you, I, along with council, have done a great deal to take a holistic approach to the socio-economic health of our downtown," writes Bigger. "I too have been concerned, both about our most vulnerable, as well as our businesses. It is not an easy time for anyone, and COVID-19 has exacerbated the issue and brought it to the fore. With many people working from home or not being in the downtown at night, it has made the situation much worse. I am taking this escalated situation extremely seriously, which is why I called a meeting of our partners last Tuesday, and we have formed a task team, as the downtown is in crisis." Read the full letter here.
Ledo Hotel shuttered after firefighters find numerous safety issues:
A number of residents were displaced from their homes after a fire at the Ledo Hotel on Sunday morning. Greater Sudbury Fire Services responded to a fire that was contained to a single unit inside the Ledo Hotel on Sunday. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters who were on site noted a number of safety issues in the building. As a result, an Ontario Fire Marshal Immediate Threat to Life Order was issued and the building was closed. A notice posted by Greater Sudbury Fire Services on the door to the building indicated a number of safety issues that were discovered in the building. Those issues include a water leak from the roof that is continuously running through a live electrical panel, the main electrical room is unsecured with high voltage wiring exposed, the fire alarm system in the building is inoperable due to water leak and electrical to the building being disconnected. More on this story here.
Opioid death rate in the North almost twice that of the south:
The opioid crisis is hitting Northern Ontario communities harder because there is less access to most of the medical and social services that Southern Ontario residents take for granted. That was one of the key conclusions of a half-hour examination of the opioid crisis in Northern Ontario featured on the TVO Agenda program Oct. 22. TVO is a provincially funded public broadcast agency with The Agenda being the flagship news and current affairs program broadcast every weeknight. The participants included Marc Lionello, program manager for the Cochrane Temiskaming Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane Timiskaming Branch, Anne Marie Thibault, clinical director for the Gwekwaadziwin Miikan Youth Mental Health & Addiction Program on Manitoulin Island, Joel Boivin, a registered nurse and outreach worker with the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY) and Marion Maar, professor and co-chair of Northern and rural health at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Agenda host Steve Paiken told the panel that Ontario had more than 1,500 opioid-related deaths in 2019. Paiken said the trend so far in 2020 indicates things are getting worse. Get the full story here.
Sudbury seniors reportedly having a hard time accessing high-dose flu shot:
As demand increases for the flu shot this year amid a global pandemic, Sudbury residents might face longer wait times, but Public Health Sudbury & Districts insists that there are more than enough vaccines to go around. Seniors on the lookout for the high-dose vaccine, however, might have to opt for the standard dose, as those living in long-term care homes and hospitals will be prioritized. “Our message is really strong that we want people to get a flu shot,” said Karly McGibbon, a public health nurse with Public Health Sudbury and Districts. “Please don’t delay because you want to get the high-dose. If all that’s available is the standard, then please just get that. What we don’t want is people thinking they have to wait for the high-dose, and then they wait, and wait, and wait, and then they get sick.” Sudbury residents have reportedly been having a hard time accessing the high-dose vaccine locally. Get the full story here.
Clothing retailer Le Chateau plans to close all 123 stores, including New Sudbury Centre location:
Canadians who flocked to Le Chateau Inc. stores for the last 60 years will need to find a new place to pick up formal wear for dances, galas, clubbing and prom. The Montreal-based retailer that was beloved by shoppers looking for dressy apparel without the luxury prices announced Friday that it would seek court protection from creditors and wants to close its stores. Here in Greater Sudbury, Le Chateau has a location in the New Sudbury Centre. The retailer has spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic trying to refinance or sell its business to a third party that would keep it in operation, but the attempts were unsuccessful. "Its already evident impact on consumer demand for Le Chateau's holiday party and occasion wear, which represents the core of our offering, has diminished Le Chateau's ability to pursue its activities," the company said in a release. "Regrettably, these circumstances leave the company with no option other than to commence the liquidation process." Le Chateau intends to remain fully operational as it liquidates its 123 stores, but the eventual closures will mean the end of about 1,400 jobs — 500 at its head office and 900 at stores.
Police seeking information on driver of vehicle involved in incident in Val Therese:
Greater Sudbury Police are seeking the assistance of the public to identify the driver of a Honda SUV that was involved in an incident on Oct. 18. At around 5 p.m. on Oct. 18, vehicle was involved in an incident on RR 80 before driving down Jeanne D'Arc Street in Val Therese. The driver is described as a white male, who was seen wearing a ball cap. Anyone with information on the driver of the vehicle is asked to contact GSPS at 705-675-9171, or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-8477 (TIPS).
Tuesday Weather:
Mostly sunny skies in the forecast for Tuesday. The sun will be shining but it's going to be chilly with the high only getting up to 2. A few clouds heading into the evening tonight. Overnight low will be around -1. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.