COVID-19 Update from the City of Greater Sudbury: Saturday, March 14, 2020

Mar 14, 2020

The City of Greater Sudbury continues to work closely with Public Health Sudbury & Districts and community partners to monitor COVID-19 developments and respond appropriately. At this time, there remains only one positive case of COVID-19 in our community.

We continue to follow the guidance of our local experts in Public Health, and consult them on appropriate actions related to City programs and services. While the virus is not currently circulating locally, the situation is evolving very quickly, and we continue to take steps to help protect the health of our community. Due to the rapid changes, we encourage you to keep up to date on specific City program and service changes at www.greatersudbury.ca, and on our social media channels at http://www.facebook.com/GreaterSudbury and http://www.twitter.com/GreaterSudbury.

City programming and public meetings

All recreational programs and public meetings continue to run, as scheduled, based on recent consultation with Public Health.

March Break day camp at Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre, special programs at Greater Sudbury Public Libraries and camps at Adanac Ski Hill will proceed. Free public skating and swimming are available from March 16 to 20. Dates and hours vary by location.

Enhanced cleaning and personal hygiene protocols are in place at all municipal facilities.

For questions about programs run by community groups, please contact the event organizer.

Large City Events

Public Health is recommending the immediate suspension of all large events and public gatherings of over 250 people. Organizers who have questions about smaller gatherings are encouraged to contact their local public health unit.

There are currently no City-led events over the Public Health threshold of 250 participants scheduled in March.

Staff is working closely with organizers who have events scheduled at City facilities to ensure these Public Health guidelines are followed.

Sudbury Wolves and Sudbury Five games at the Sudbury Arena have been suspended by the teams’ organizations.

For questions about programs and events run by community groups, please contact the event organizer.

Facilities

All City facilities, including Tom Davies Square, arenas, community centres and libraries, remain open and operational.

We continue enhanced cleaning of high touch areas, including door handles, elevator buttons, service counters and railings, in all of our facilities. Additional hand-sanitizing stations and signage are in place in facility entrances.

UPDATED - Pioneer Manor:

In accordance with the recommendation of Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, visitor access to Pioneer Manor is being limited to allow only those visiting a very ill or dying resident to enter the home. This restriction takes effect immediately and remains in effect until further notice. It reflects the Ministry’s guidance for long-term care homes and ensures the health and safety of residents and staff of the facility.

Transit

Gova Transit continues additional cleaning and disinfection of all buses with a focus on touch and grab points, such as buttons, railings, handles and straps.

Tips for protecting yourself

Residents are reminded to continue to follow basic but important preventative steps to prevent the spread of illness, including COVID-19.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill
  • Stay home when you are ill
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands
  • If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 for the most credible, local information, including how to prevent spread, how to monitor your health, and what to do if you think you are sick. For additional information, call Public Health at 705-522-9200 and press 1 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200). The Public Health call centre is open during regular business hours, with extended hours on evenings and weekends (subject to change based on call volumes). Callers can leave messages and Public Health staff will call back within 24 hours, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

For more information on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, visit https://www.hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/Patients-and-Visitors/COVID-19.

The City would like to thank our health-care partners and their dedicated staff for their collaboration, hard work, and expertise in ensuring the health and safety of the residents of this community.

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Media Contact:

communications@greatersudbury.ca