Local health agencies are taking a pro-active stance in dealing with the potential of the coronavirus appearing in the area.
Convened by Public Health Sudbury & Districts and hosted by the City of Greater Sudbury, 40 agencies from the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts participated in a coronavirus workshop yesterday.
An agency press release states it was held to strengthen the links between community partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response to potential community spread of COVID-19.
The workshop was designed to move participants beyond their comfort zones to consider difficult, yet realistic scenarios related to COVID-19 spread. In meeting together, participants critically assessed their readiness and their response plans. Participants included, for example, representatives from diverse sectors such as municipal, emergency services (fire and EMS), public health, police, community-based organizations, business, social services, health care, and education.
“Today we rolled up our sleeves and acted on the World Health Organization’s end of February warning—that COVID-19 is a reality check for every government on the planet and that we have a duty to wake up and be ready,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury & Districts Medical Officer of Health. “All participants understand how severe or deadly this virus will depend not only on the virus itself but also on how we respond to it. Local preparedness is essential,” said Dr. Sutcliffe.
“We understand that infectious diseases know no borders and we have to work together seamlessly, so Greater Sudbury is pleased to host stakeholders from across the City and the surrounding districts,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor, Brian Bigger. “I know some may be worried and that’s normal in these circumstances. Our hope is people will be reassured by having accurate information and by knowing that our communities are working hard together to be ready,” said Mayor Bigger.
The goals of an effective community response to potential community spread of COVID-19 include decreasing health impacts, maintaining health system capacity, minimizing societal disruptions (infrastructure and economy), and keeping the public informed. Public Health has a central role in linking and coordinating with the many sectors whose combined efforts achieve these goals.
Everyone has a responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19. There are practical steps that you and your family can take to prepare if COVID-19 starts to circulate in the community. It’s important to assess your own personal situation and plan accordingly.
In the Algoma District, Mayor Dan Marchisella is stressing the importance for the public to access the Public Health Algoma website for the latest information.
He says the agency is providing travel advisories, school and community protocols and more.
Municipal leaders are receiving up-to-date information from their respective health agencies to be able to respond to the virus if it potentially appears in the North.
Coronavirus in Canada
Canada is reporting its first coronavirus death, a B-C man in his 80s who lived in a long-term care residence.
B-C officials are also reporting five new cases, bringing to 35 the total number in the province.
In Ontario, one new infection has been diagnosed.
All 35 cases in our province are reported to be relatively mild, with patients recovering at home in self-isolation.
But the provincial government is urging long-term care homes to step up the screening of residents, staff and visitors.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says they are “very concerned” about residents in long-term care facilities, following the death in B-C.
Federal health officials are also recommending people avoid taking cruises for now.
Coronavirus World
The Italian government is extending a severe set of restrictions to the entire country, to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
All travel is being banned, unless urgent.
All educational institutions, museums, and cultural sites are being closed, and all sporting events have been cancelled.
In Ireland, the government has banned all St. Patrick’s Day parades and Israel says all citizens returning from abroad must go into quarantine for two weeks.
The number of coronavirus cases, worldwide, now stands at more than 114-thousand, with 38-hundred deaths.
While most of them have been in China, that country’s infection rate continues to decline.
PUBLIC HEALTH ALGOMA SITE: http://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-illness/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus
PUBLIC HEALTH SUDBURY & DISTRICTS SITE: https://www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/diseases-infections/coronavirus
