Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Back-to-school FAQ: What if a student or staffer tests positive for COVID-19 at my child’s school?:
The kids heading back to school amid COVID-19 this month has brought a lot of uncertainty for students and their families. Sudbury.com reached out to our readers for their back-to-school questions, and we've endeavoured to find some answers. Thursday’s question: What happens if a student or staff member at my child’s school tests positive for COVID-19? Answer: Public Health Sudbury & Districts recently put out some information related to exact this scenario. PHSD said each specific situation will be handled based on the findings of public health’s investigation. Public health will work very closely with school principals in these instances. Anyone who was in close contact with the infected person will be advised to go home and self-isolate for 14 days and get tested for COVID-19. This could include other students or teacher(s) from the person’s class, school transportation, extracurricular activities, and before- and after-school programs. If two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases in students or staff in a school are linked to each other, an outbreak will be declared by public health. If this happens, the medical officer of health will determine who must stay away from school and self-isolate and be tested. Get the full story here.
Rainbow board reminds parents to screen children daily for COVID-19 symptoms:
The Rainbow District School Board reminds parents and guardians they are required to screen their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms. They are required to keep their child home from school if they or anyone in the household are sick or have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. Secondary students can self-screen and monitor for symptoms. “Safety is a shared responsibility between the school, the home and the community, and families play a critical role in limiting the spread of COVID-19,” said Rainbow board director of education Norm Blaseg, in a press release. “As we get set to start a school year unlike any other, we remind parents/guardians and students that they must screen for COVID-19 as part of their morning routine.” A screening tool in the form of a questionnaire can be accessed at rainbowschools.ca.
Province providing nearly $15 million for mental health and addictions services:
The Ontario government is providing an additional $14.75 million to increase access to mental health and addictions services across the province. This funding will help support people from all walks of life during this unprecedented time, including families, young people, children, frontline workers, and Indigenous communities. The details were provided Thursday in Sudbury by Premier Doug Ford and Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "We know mental health is just as important physical health," said Ford. "Everyone, including our heroic frontline workers, can sometimes experience burnout, depression or anxiety. Even though you may feel alone or helpless, we want you to know that we have your back. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to some of the amazing mental health and addictions agencies in your local community. They are caring, compassionate and knowledgeable people who can help." This investment was provided through the Support for People and Jobs Fund and will help community-based mental health and addictions programs meet increasing service demands. You can watch the full press conference from Thursday here.
Marathon of Hope turns 40 with first-ever virtual Terry Fox Run:
It’s not the way the Terry Fox Foundation wanted to mark the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, but the stage is set for the first virtual Terry Fox Run on Sept. 20. This year, the global pandemic has changed so much about our lives from how we work, whom we spend our time with, where we go, said the foundation in a news release. But it has not changed the desire to help others, to make a difference, to bring light into the dark, just like Terry did in 1980. On Sept. 20, Canadians will show up again for Terry and for cancer research, not in person, but in spirit, in neighbourhoods across Canada as they participate in the first-ever virtual Terry Fox Run. One Day. Your Way. More on this story here.
Province confirms 170 new COVID-19 cases Thursday:
Public Health Ontario confirmed 170 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, up from 149 on Wednesday. One new death was reported today. There have been 2,814 deaths in total. Of the new cases, 55 are reported in Toronto, 28 in York Region, 22 in Peel and 12 in Ottawa. To date, Public Health Ontario has confirmed 43,855 cases of COVID-19 and reported 39,474 recoveries. There are 54 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus. Fourteen are in intensive care and nine are on ventilators. The province has confirmed Ontario labs have processed another 24,669 COVID-19 tests, up from 17,605 on Wednesday. There have been 3,213,336 tests processed in total. There are confirmed outbreaks at 16 long-term care homes in the province. There are 36 confirmed cases among residents and 39 among staff. One new case has been reported in Northern Ontario, out of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. In Northern Ontario there are two known active cases.
Winner takes home $83K from HSN 50/50 Cash Lottery for the North:
Shelley Gosselin couldn’t believe her ears when she got the call that she had won Health Sciences North’s August 50/50 draw fundraiser and the $83,120 prize that went along with it. The HSN August 50/50 Cash Lottery for the North was sponsored by Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation, HSN Volunteer Association, NEO Kids Foundation and Northern Cancer Foundation. Gosselin, a New Liskeard resident, won with her winning ticket No. C-4082811. She said she’ll use the money to take her eight grandchildren on vacation. The September HSN 50/50 Cash Lottery is now live, with a guaranteed minimum prize of $5,000. Tickets can be purchased online at HSN5050.ca at a rate of 10 for $10, 30 for $20 and 100 for $40.
Sudbury Arena Gordon Lightfoot concert postponed until 2021:
The City of Greater Sudbury has announced that the promoter has officially postponed the Gordon Lightfoot concert that was supposed to take place at the Sudbury Community Arena Nov. 10. The concert is postponed until 2021, with the exact date yet to be determined.If you purchased tickets for the “Legendary Gordon Lightfoot Concert” online or at the Box Office with a Credit Card, your card will be automatically refunded. Please allow a minimum of 14 business days to receive this return to your credit card. If you purchased your tickets with a Debit Card or Cash at the Box Office, hold on to your tickets and contact the Arena Administration team at [email protected] to schedule an appointment to receive your refund.
Friday Weather:
Sunshine and some warmer temperatures return for Friday. Mainly sunny today with the afternoon high getting up to 18. A few clouds will roll in this evening. Overnight low will drop to 6. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
