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Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
HSN boosts bed capacity by at least 40, converting space at Daffodil Lodge:
Health Sciences North (HSN) announced Monday it is creating "at least" 40 new hospital beds at the Daffodil Lodge Terrace that will be open in the New Year. HSN said creating the new beds is the hospital's response to the chronic overcrowding made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and in anticipation of the flu season, which usually peaks in February, according to Health Canada. “It’s important for us to continue to be proactive and create additional bed capacity to meet the needs of our surgical patients, increased demand during flu season and future COVID-19 hospitalizations,” said Dominic Giroux, President and CEO of HSN. “Since August, we have already opened 29 additional beds at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre, including two 12-bed wards. According to Ontario Health, HSN has the highest occupancy percentage in the province, when compared against Ontario hospitals with more than 100 acute beds. This is further evidence that HSN was built too small.” The hospital said in November it provided care for an average of 491 patients, peaking at 515 patients, in facilities designed for 441 beds. HSN said this number of admitted patients does not include the 60 patients receiving care from St. Joseph's Continuing Care Centre at the Clarion Hotel, which was set up back in April as part of the HSN pandemic surge plans. The decision to create more beds was also done to help reduce the pressure for HSN's surgical wait list. The hospital has bumped the volume of surgeries to 110 per cent, said the HSN news release, to reduce the wait list. More on this story here.
Health Unit reports four new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoulin District:
Another four new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Manitoulin District. As of Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., there have been 238 confirmed cases of COVID-19. One of the cases’ exposure category is listed as close contact of a confirmed case, while the other three are listed as information pending or missing. There are now eight active cases, said Public Health Sudbury & Districts. One more case has been resolved since the Dec. 6 update.
Ontario confirms third day of record COVID cases with 1,925 Monday:
Public Health Ontario reported 1,925 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, which is one more than Sunday's report of 1,924. For the last three days, the province has reported a record number of cases per day. On Saturday, the province reported 1,859 cases. Ontario's public health agency also confirmed 26 deaths in today's report. The deaths include one person between 40 and 59 years old, ten people between 60 and 79 years old, and 15 people over the age of 80. Thirteen of the people whose deaths were reported Monday were residents of long-term care homes. Since Sunday's update, 66 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and five people have been admitted to intensive care units with the disease. Of the 1,925 new cases reported Monday, 512 are from Peel, 167 are from York Region, 601 are from Toronto, and 133 are from Durham Region.
Snow days different in Southern Ont. this year, but it’s business as usual in Greater Sudbury:
Many Southern Ontario school boards are doing snow days differently this year, with some offering classroom instruction online for all students when buses are cancelled, and others shutting down schools entirely on snow days. These changes are related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boards closing entirely on snow days are concerned the smaller cohorts who attend school on those days might mix, increasing the possibility of infection. And, of course, remote instruction materials and infrastructure are much more commonly available these days. But local school boards say it’s pretty much business as usual when it comes to snow days in this region. In an email to Sudbury.com, Rainbow board spokesperson Nicole Charette said when transportation is cancelled due to inclement weather, the board’s schools will remain open and staff is expected to report to work. Get the full story here.
Show your neighbours some kindness, create ‘tiny treasures’ this December:
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invites residents to give some kindness to their neighbours with tiny treasures this December. What is a tiny treasure you may ask? It is a small decoration or kind message given to bring light and cheer to another. This holiday season, many people may be missing family and feeling the impacts of isolation more keenly. A simple gesture can help your neighbours feel less alone. This is a positive activity each of us can do with what we have at hand. It’s easy to participate. With simple materials from around your home, make decorations or kind messages. Walk around your neighbourhood and hang your tiny treasures on neighbours’ trees, mailboxes, or front doorknobs. Make a special effort for neighbours who live alone, or especially need a bit of extra kindness. Find out more here.
$83K in community support for Cambrian bursaries, food bank on Giving Tuesday:
Cambrian College announced it has received generous donations totalling $83,546 this year as part of Giving Tuesday, which was Dec. 1. All proceeds from Giving Tuesday will be directed to hardship bursaries for students and the Cambrian College Student Food Bank. “We’re just overwhelmed by the support this year and the total once again demonstrates that our community’s generosity knows no bounds,” said Cambrian’s director of development and alumni, Brandi Brathwaite, in a press release. “This has been an extraordinary year for everyone, and an especially difficult one for a lot of our students. They rely on those traditional part-time jobs that just aren’t there this year. But thanks to the amazing kindness of our community, we’ve exceeded our boldest expectations and we’re helping ease that burden on the students during this pandemic.” Cambrian’s efforts were also bolstered by the support of several corporate partners and community leaders who chose to match funds being donated. More on this story here.
Huntington unveils 'historic' Peruvian Canadian Institute:
Huntington University is celebrating the official launch of the Peruvian Canadian Institute. The Peruvian Canadian Institute, which will be housed at Huntington University, aims to support and foster enhanced relationships between both nations through activities such as a fellowship program, scholarships and the hosting of events in both countries. The founding of the institute was spearheaded by Dr. Kevin McCormick, president and vice-chancellor of Huntington University and founding president of the Peruvian Canadian Institute, along with Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré, chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, and founding chair of the Peruvian Canadian Institute advisory council. In a press release, McCormick call the establishment of the Peruvian Canadian Institute “truly historic” and the first institute of its kind to develop build bridges between Canada and Peru. Find the full story here.
Tuesday Weather:
Sunny start to the day with increasing cloudiness this afternoon. Tuesday's high will be sitting at around -2, feeling like -16 with the wind this morning. Periods of snow possible this evening. Temperature will be steady at -1 overnight, feeling like -9 with the wind chill. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
