The latest on the impact of COVID-19

Ontario has announced it will shutter all public schools for two weeks following the March break amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The break was due to begin on Saturday, March 14, and will now continue to April 5.
The province announced 17 new cases of the novel coronavirus today, bringing the total number in the province to 59.

All three major junior hockey leagues in Canada have suspended play because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Canadian Hockey League announced Thursday that play has been halted in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. That includes the North Bay Battalion of the OHL.

Cassellholme is now closed to visitors.. Officials say because of the rapidly evolving transmission of COVID-19, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico has directed that all Long Term Care Homes be closed to visitors until further notice.

Clinical Services will identify any exceptional circumstances under which visitors will be permitted.

The use of private care workers at Cassellholme is also being suspended, with daily staffing compliments to be increased to maintain or enhance care levels.

Ontario has reported another 17 cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 59.
None of the patients are in North Bay.
The new patients are in regions across southern Ontario, including Toronto, Peel, Waterloo and Muskoka, with one in Ottawa.
The province says it doesn’t appear that any of the cases were due to community transmission.
Some of the patients had recently travelled to places including the United States, Spain and Puerto Rico.
The province says it has tested more than 4,100 people for the virus so far, and the vast majority of the tests have come back negative.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre  says it is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19.

The Health Centre continues full operations with all inpatient and outpatient services running as usual and it says the safety of patients, staff, physicians and volunteers continues to be our number one priority.

The Health Centre is asking visitors to consider postponing their visit if they, or anyone in their home, is unwell.

Visitors who do come to the facility are reminded to wash their hands with the alcohol rinse provided at each major entrance before entering and leaving the facility.

If you suspect COVID-19 exposure calling the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext 5229 to speak to public health nurse, or call your health care provider and they will direct you on what action to take.
and if you have COVID 19 suspicions and require emergency services (911), please inform them during the call so the proper precautions can be taken before their arrival that means wearing protective equipment and enhanced cleaning.

Canadore College president George Burton says they are closely monitoring the situation but no additional changes have been put into effect.

“I will take our direction from the local public health unit. Currently, we have no plans to close any of our campuses. We will continue operating as normal but we are monitoring everything closely,” he says.

He says five Canadore employees who were at the recent PDAC have been sent home as a pre-caution and none are showing any symptoms.

22 Wing Commander Col. Mark LaChapelle says they are following their national level guidelines.

“We’re continually making sure that we’re able to do our mission and we’re doing everything we can do to protect our families and all the members of the forces,” he says.

Nipissing First Nation has announced the Little NHL hockey tournament has be cancelled.
The event was to be held in Peel Region.
“This decision is regrettable, but unavoidable in light of the serious health risks associated with large public gatherings and the speed at which the coronavirus is spreading,” said Chief Scott McLeod. “The last thing we want is to see this virus spread to any First Nation communities, especially those that have limited access to health facilities and already face pre-existing socio-economic challenges.”

(photo by CP/AP)