Public Health Ontario is reporting 148 new COVID-19 cases in the province today.
For the last two weeks, new daily confirmed cases have dipped as low as 88 and as high as 148. 148 cases were reported on Saturday and Friday, marking the highest number of new daily cases reported since July 24 in the province.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Two new cases reported by Algoma Public Health this week
A new case of COVID-19 was reported to Algoma Public Health this week, but the Ontario Finnish Resthome later stated that a second test produced a negative result.
On Thursday, the F.J. Davey Home reported that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the home declared a presumptive outbreak.
Currently, there is one active case in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Thursday:
- 25,927 tested
- 29 positive
- 25,571 negative
- 0 deceased
- 28 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 24 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 2 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
School boards adopt staggered back to school plans
The ADSB has released its staggered entry to school schedule for Sept. 8 to 11 for its JK to Grade 12 students.
Read the full story by SooToday's Darren Taylor here. More information on ADSB's guidelines for reopening can be found by clicking here.
Additionally, the French Catholic board has implemented a gradual return to class.
Students attending in-class instruction at Notre-Dame-du-Sault (Sault Ste. Marie), École Saint-Joseph (Blind River), and others within the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon board will be divided into groups in order to stagger their return.
Learn more about the French board's plans here.
Just ahead of the back-to-school season, education directors and medical officers of health say they are working 'tirelessly' to prevent COVID-19 in schools. More details on their statement can be found here.
Meanwhile, Northern Ontario bus drivers say they are worried about back-to-school busing plan. School buses are expected to be at maximum capacity, and drivers are asking for limits. Learn more about drivers' concerns here.
Sault mayor calls out Education Minister on Twitter
Over the weekend, Mayor Christian Provenzano responded to Twitter comments by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce after he tweeted that the province will 'do whatever it takes to keep kids safe.'
Read what the mayor had to say here.
NOJHL hopes for mid-October return
Pending the go-ahead of government officials and area health authorities, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League could begin regular season action as early as Oct. 15.
In an update released on Friday night, the league announced a two-phased Return to Play outline for the upcoming season.
Read more from SooToday's Brad Coccimiglio here.
Union calls on Ford government to restore basic workplace rights for healthcare, front-line workers
Unionized healthcare workers and other front-line workers staged a protest in front of Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano’s office Wednesday morning decrying the impacts of Bill 195.
Read the full story by SooToday's James Hopkin here.
Recreational programming for seniors to restart next week
After months without recreational activities for adults 55+, the city is slated to resume programming at the Drop-In Centre and the Northern Community Centre on Tuesday. Learn more about the restrictions and guidelines here.
Long-term care residents can now leave the home
On Friday, the provincial government announced that long-term care home residents can spend time away from their long-homes for day trips or overnight absences. Read more on the guidelines from the government here.
Federal government contributes $391M to help with Ontario's back-to-school plan
The federal government is providing more than $380 million to help Ontario's back-to-school preparations. The money comes as part of a $2B funding package.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces will decide how they spent the additional funds, and the Ontario government says about $70 million of the $381 million in new funding will be use to hire more educators.
Watch Trudeau's full press conference here.
The Ontario government has also agreed to a one-year, $147M extension of child-care funding to help offset costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on that funding can be found here.
COVID-19 restrictions extended on international travel until Sept. 30
On Monday, the federal government extended travel restrictions by one month to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Learn more about the restrictions here.
Ontario expands driver testing services
As of Tuesday, residents of Ontario will be able to book class G road tests and access all classes of drive tests at DriveTest centres. Learn more about what will and won't be allowed here.
Arts, tourism industry work to overcome COVID-19 challenges
Locally, the arts and music industry in the Sault is coming back to life. Live entertainment has started back up, and while the dynamics are a little different than the pre-COVID-19 scene, and bar owners are faced with new costs and health and safey concerns, many people have gone out to enjoy live music. In Northern Ontario, film production is also working on restarting.
The regional tourism industry is also feeling the pinch of COVID-19. Many family-owned lodges have reported their seasons were 'decimated' by COVID-19. In response, te federal government has promised to invest $4 million for 16 tourism-related projects n northern Ontario.
Small business fund now open for COVID-19 relief
Small businesses across the country looking to recover from the impact of COVID-19 are now eligible for relief funding under the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. Learn more here.
Additionally, small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also apply for funding to help with energy bills. Learn more about that funding here.
Meanwhile, local organizations who have been serving vulnerable and equity-seeking populations that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic have received over $200,000 in funding. Learn which organizations received funding here.
Charities, local organizations go virtual in light of COVID-19
COVID-19 is not stopping local charities and organizations hoping to raise money for their respective causes. The Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie has taken their annual fundraiser online this year, as has the local Alzheimer Society.The Terry Fox Run will also take place virtually on Sept. 20.
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival has also revealed its film roster for the pandemic version of the annual event, which will run from Sept. 19-27.
