Public Health Sudbury & Districts reports one COVID-19 death and declares additional COVID-19 outbreak

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting one COVID-19 death related to the outbreak declared on January 21, 2021, at the Finlandiakoti apartment building of Finlandia Village in Greater Sudbury after a resident passed away. Out of respect during this difficult time, no further details will be provided. Public Health Sudbury & Districts offers sincere condolences to the family, friends, and caregivers affected by this loss and throughout this difficult time. A total of eight deaths have now been reported across our service area since the beginning of the pandemic.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts has also declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Chartwell Southwind Retirement Residence following the report of one case of COVID-19 in a staff member. Public Health is actively working with the retirement home to investigate the outbreak and to protect residents and staff.

“The need for everyone to monitor and screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily and to stay home when ill is critical in limiting the spread of the virus. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please take it seriously, and get tested,” said Stacey Laforest, Director, Health Protection Division, Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

The death will be reported in Public Health’s daily update of COVID-19 case data at 4 p.m. today.  The protection of our most vulnerable populations is of the utmost importance. Everyone is urged to continue following public health measures to protect others and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19

• Stay home: remain at home except for essential purposes such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care service, for exercise, or for essential work or school.
• All non-essential travel should be avoided. Area residents are being exposed to the virus through travel outside our region. Stay in the area of your home community or stay in the region.
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms.
• The vaccine is highly recommended for all eligible individuals.
• Learn more about vaccine safety and make an informed decision to choose to get vaccinated when the time comes.
• Practise physical distancing, because any close contact could be a possible exposure to COVID-19.
• Continue to work remotely, where possible.
• Masks or face coverings must be worn in all indoor public places in Sudbury and districts.
• Masks or face coverings should also be worn in other settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Wash your hands often and when visibly dirty for 15 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm or a tissue, throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Monitor and screen for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

If you have a COVID-19 symptom or have been exposed to the virus as informed by Public Health or the COVID Alert app, get tested. Learn more about the eligibility and testing criteria for COVID-19 assessment centres. Stay informed and seek testing if necessary. On January 12, 2021, a province-wide state of emergency (Government of Ontario) was declared to protect Ontarians from COVID-19. A stay-at-home order was also announced and is currently in effect for all Ontarians. Enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (Government of Ontario) are in effect.

Updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, and outbreaks in Greater Sudbury, the District of Sudbury, and the District of Manitoulin are posted online.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).