Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Greater Sudbury’s 12th case of COVID-19 confirmed:
Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed Greater Sudbury's 12th case of COVID-19. A woman in her sixties was exposed to the virus through domestic travel and close contact with another person who tested positive for COVID-19. The woman was tested on March 28, and is currently self-isolating. In the area tested by Public Health Sudbury and Districts, this is the 12th confirmed case of COVID-19. Ten of the cases are in Greater Sudbury and two are in the Manitoulin district. There are currently 168 cases under investigation and three resolved cases. Public Health Sudbury and Districts has conducted 647 tests to date.
WATCH: We got an update on EI and other COVID-19 issues with Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre:
Sudbury.com editor Mark Gentili spoke with Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre on Tuesday. We gathered questions from you, our readers, over the last day or so. We received quite a number of responses, though many of you asked similar questions. Today, Gentili will be chatting with Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré for an update on the situation in areas around the city, as well as asking him questions sent in by readers. On Friday afternoon, Mayor Brian Bigger will be back to answer more of your questions. That live chat will also be held at 4 p.m. Watch Gentili's chat with Lefebvre here.
Public schools will remain closed to students until May 4:
Ontario's education minister Stephen Lecce announced the second phase of Learn at Home Tuesday, indicating that the province will be doing everything in its power to ensure that educators and students are provided the resources to ensure the transition is a smooth one. Due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak, the Ontario government announced that schools and child care centres will remain closed to protect the health and safety of students and staff. This extension is being made on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Public schools will remain closed to teachers until Friday, May 1, and to students until Monday, May 4. As these dates come closer, this decision will be re-evaluated based on public health advice. The closure may be extended if necessary to protect the health and safety of students, families and staff. Private schools, licensed child care centres and EarlyON programs will also remain closed until April 13, according to the Declaration of Emergency, which only allows closures to be extended for one 14-day period at a time. Select centres designated to support frontline health care workers and first responders will remain open.
Ontario invests $3.3B to increase health-care capacity:
The Government of Ontario has announced an additional $3.3 billion in funding to increase health-care capacity and support front line workers, not only improving upon their ability to respond to COVID-19 but general practice moving forward. “Our government will spare no expense to protect the health and safety of our front line health-care workers,” said Premier Doug Ford in a press release. “They’re always looking out for us and our government is looking out for them. We’ll do everything within our power to ensure our front line workers have the necessary resources to take down COVID-19 and keep individuals and families safe.” Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 includes $2.1 billion in new and urgent funding to combat and contain the spread of COVID-19, as well as $1.2 billion to continue the government’s long-term plan to improve upon the existing health care system. More on this story here.
Province: No new eviction notices will be issued during COVID-19 outbreak:
As April 1 arrives, the province is encouraging landlords and tenants to work together through the COVID-19 crisis to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their homes. However, in response to the outbreak that has seen an unprecedented number of layoffs across the province, the government has made temporary changes to residential rules and processes. Most notably, changes include no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice. Furthermore, sheriff’s offices will postpone any scheduled enforcement of current eviction orders. Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath is calling for an 80 per cent rent subsidy to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, and make it to the other side of the crisis without the crushing debt of months of unpaid rent behind them. Get the full story here.
Greater Sudbury develops resources to support businesses during COVID-19:
With the significant economic impact that COVID-19 is having on the local business community, the City of Greater Sudbury is providing support for businesses with resources and systems to help them navigate unprecedented situations. "Over the last couple of weeks, we have all been faced with some very difficult decisions," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger, in a press release. "For some of our local businesses, this means having to temporarily close their doors or change the way they provide services. We are working collaboratively with our partners in the community and from all levels of government to ensure our businesses know how critical they are to our economic strength. “I am proud to see how they are adjusting and responding during these times. I have seen examples of this innovation across our community, including restaurants offering takeout, athletic clubs offering online classes and distilleries making hand sanitizer." The city's economic development division has established a business continuity support group which connects to discuss challenges, resources and opportunities. Full story here.
A third person charged with stunt driving on March 28, says OPP:
Another driver was charged with stunt driving on March 28, said the Ontario Provincial Police. A 23-year-old driver from Etobicoke was caught speeding at 140 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone on Highway 69. Officers stopped the vehicle around 2:40 p.m. In addition to the charge, the driver was served a seven-day driver's licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused was released by way of a summons and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on July 6 in Sudbury. That's three drivers in one day charged with the same offence in the Greater Sudbury area, said the OPP.
Wednesday Weather:
Sunny to start the day Wednesday, becoming a mix of sun and cloud later in the morning. Brisk temperatures on tap for today, sitting at a high of 5. Partly cloudy tonight with the low dropping to -3. Sunshine and some warmer weather expected by Thursday morning. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
