“When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
(Excerpt from “The Hill We Climb” – Amanda Gorman)
A year ago yesterday (January 25, 2020)marks the day that we were presented with one of the most difficult challenges in our history with the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Ontario. Since then, Ontario has tragically lost 5,846 lives to this deadly virus.
Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of Ontarians has been and remains the government’s top priority. Ontario was one of the first provinces to declare an emergency in response to COVID-19 to protect individuals, families and workers.
We have all had to face extraordinary challenges this past year – and time and again everyone has had to step up and do their part. Thank you to everyone for making these incredible sacrifices and putting in countless hours to keep our residents, patients and one another safe.
Until vaccines are widely available, you are urged to continue to follow all public health advice. Simply put, we must all continue to stay home, stay safe, and save lives as we continue to be part of Pandemic History.
Internal Updates
Staff Swabbing
All sites will be swabbing staff EVERY week. Please ensure to check your facilities swabbing schedule to make sure that you do not miss the times and days at your site.
Please remain vigilant and immediately self-isolate and report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection to your immediate supervisor.
Vaccinations
Work is still continuing within our local public health unit around the timing and distribution of the vaccines.
However we were advised on Sunday that each all residents at St. Joseph’s Villa and Villa St. Gabriel Villa will be vaccinated by February 5th.
We will keep you apprised of any new information as it is disseminated and rolled out to our facilities.
Meanwhile, if you are still wavering on whether to receive the vaccine and have questions, there are zoom education sessions available whereby information on the vaccine is being presented along with the opportunity to ask questions. Check your email, education calendars or posters at your facility for the dates and times.
Provincial Update
The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) remains in effect. The Stay-at-Home legislation is in place and will continue until February 11, 2021.
Data Update
As of January 26, 2021, in Ontario, the cumulative total of confirmed cases is 258,700 which is an increase of 1,740 – this includes 229,755 resolved cases and 5,909 reported deaths. Active cases in Ontario now stand at 23,036.
- Northern Ontario Active Cases
- Algoma Public Health – 11
- North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit – 3
- Northwestern Health Unit – 18
- Porcupine Health Unit – 51
- Sudbury & Districts Public Health Unit – 77
- Timiskaming Health Unit – 3
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit – 150
Local Update
Facilities in outbreak:
- Amberwood Suites
- Summit Human Services (group home)
- Finlandia Apartment Building (part of Finlandia Village)
- The Elizabeth Centre
- Extendicare Falconbridge
- École St-Denis
- David’s Catholic School
- Pius XII School
- Marymount Academy
HSN is reporting 8 confirmed cases (0 in ICU; 8 on another unit).
In Closing…
Most recently Dr. Fullerton, MoLTC sent out a letter to all facilities acknowledging the ongoing efforts of staff who have been working around the clock to contain the spread of COIVD-19 in our facilities. Please know that your efforts are not going unnoticed. In this letter Dr. Fullerton reminds everyone of the following:
Please help stop the spread of COVID-19 by:
- staying at home and only leaving your house for work and other essential activities, such as getting groceries or going to the pharmacy;
- practicing physical distancing, which means staying at least two metres away from people you don’t live with;
- wearing a mask or face covering properly in indoor public spaces and outside any time physical distancing is not possible;
- cleaning your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- sneezing and coughing into your sleeve;
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- following all infection prevention and control procedures while at work;
- receiving the COVID-19 vaccination if you are eligible;
- staying home from work if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild; and
- immediately advising your supervisor, self-isolating, and getting tested if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
I am humbled by your continual resilience during this difficult time. It feels important to me to reach out personally to acknowledge the difficulties and challenges we are facing day in and day out and to say thank you to everyone who has gone above and beyond. I know it feels never-ending but I kept hope in my heart and hope that you do too. And finally, please continue to be kind to one another.
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Safe Lives!
Additional Resources
Sudbury & District Public Health
COVID-19-Assessment-Centre in the Greater City of Sudbury