A look at the local numbers
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting a COVID-19 related death in Greater Sudbury.
A total of 26 deaths have now been reported across our service area since the beginning of the pandemic.
The agency is reporting 11 new cases of COVD-19 on Monday.
Considering resolved cases, there are 96 active cases of the virus in the agency’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North has 35 admitted patients, 23 confirmed and 12 waiting for test results.
Of the 35, there are ten individuals in intensive care.
Algoma Public Health is reporting four new cases, all in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Considering resolved cases, 38 active cases in the Algoma District.
Four of the active cases do not reside in the district but are receiving care.
The unit says there are two people in hospital.
No paid leave deal with Ontario
The federal government won’t help Ontario increase payments to those taking time off work due to COVID-19 unless some changes are made.
The Ford administration wants Ottawa to double payments under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit to one-thousand dollars a week and it will pay the difference.
But federal officials say that won’t happen until Ontario mandates paid sick leave in provincially-regulated businesses.
Labour Minister Monte MicNaughton confirms the province won’t be proceeding with its own plan for paid sick days.
Earlier this month Premier Doug Ford promised “one of the best programs in North America” for those who have to take time off due to COVID-19.
Ontario seeks help from other countries
Ontario is appealing to other countries for trained medical staff to cope with the COVID-19 overload in provincial hospitals.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says the government has already asked the United States and the Philippines for assistance and more countries may be approached.
So far, there’s been no response.
Nine health care volunteers from Newfoundland begin work in Toronto today and armed forces medical teams are to be deployed in three hospitals in southern Ontario.
Mail delays due to COVID
If you’re expecting mail from outside Canada expect delays.
Canada Post has been ordered to keep an afternoon shift of workers home from its giant Gateway sorting facility in Mississauga, after a dozen employees tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week.
They’ll be in self-isolation for the next ten days.
Canada Post officials say they’re putting contingency plans in place to try to reduce delays at the plant, where international mail is cleared by the Canada Border Services Agency and sorted.