Special COVID-19 Statement from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Public Health Sudbury & District has issued a special COVID-19 statement following an increase in coronavirus cases.
Health agency medical officer, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says there has been an alarming increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Greater Sudbury.
She says Greater Sudbury is considered a COVID-19 hotspot, with a case rate that is among the highest in the province.
She emphasizes the trend signals a call to immediate action asking for individuals to ramp up COVID-19 precautions, such as vaccination, masking, distancing, working from home, and importantly, staying home when even unwell.
In its most recent report, the agency has 209 active cases and 11 people have been admitted to hospital.
Dr. Sutcliffe adds there are currently seven outbreaks all within the Greater Sudbury area, so everyone must make an effort to bring the numbers down to prevent a surge in the virus.
To view Dr. Sutcliffe’s full statement click here https://www.phsd.ca/special-covid-19-statement-from-medical-officer-of-health-public-health-sudbury-districts-dr-penny-sutcliffe/
Children and the vaccinations
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says the province won’t be adding COVID-19 shots to the list of vaccinations required by children before they can attend school … at least, not yet.
Doctor Kieran Moore says, so far, they’ve been able to manage caseloads in schools, and local health units are ready to respond to any outbreaks.
But he adds that, if COVID-19 persists year after year, and poses a threat to public health, then they’ll review whether the inoculations should be added to the list of mandatory vaccines, like measles and polio.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says rapid-testing kits will be available at all schools by mid-November.
Long-term care legislation
Opposition parties say the Ford government has missed an opportunity to transform Ontario’s long-term care industry.
The government has introduced legislation to give effect to several pledges it’s made in recent months.
Those include the hiring of more inspectors, higher fines for violating the rules, and mandating yearly surveys of residents and their families.
The bill would also see new regulations established to improve the quality of life for those living in long-term care.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the legislation won’t solve the problems facing an industry in crisis.
Liberal leader Steven Del Duca says the government has done nothing to support the expansion of non-profit care in the long-term field.
Around four-thousand residents and staff died of COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic.
Hillier called to the carpet
Members of the legislature have called on eastern Ontario independent MPP Randy Hillier to apologize for what they call a “string of disreputable conduct” when it comes to COVID-19.
Hillier has posted false information and conspiracy theories since the pandemic began.
Last week, he published the photos of ten people he said had died due to a COVID-19 vaccination.
Relatives of several of those pictured have denied his claim.
A motion, which passed unanimously, calls on Hillier to refrain from further conduct that it calls “inappropriate and unbecoming” of a member of the legislature.