Dr Lianne Catton says she is devastated as the health unit has always supported in-person learning during the pandemic, for the well-being of children and families.
Unfortunately, our numbers right now simply do not support the opening of schools in our area.
However, she hopes that the situation will change soon so that we can consider going back to school.
The region has more than 300 active cases of COVID-19, the majority in the city of Timmins.
On Saturday, the Porcupine Health Unit identified 42 new cases, including 28 in Timmins and an outbreak at Dailey’s Your Independent Grocer supermarket in that city.
The public health unit reported 41 new cases as of Friday, including 27 in Timmins.
The Timmins and District Hospital has nearly 20 patients with COVID-19.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean-Loup Doudard
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The increase in cases has translated into an increase in hospitalizations.
Timmins and District Hospital President and CEO Kate Fyfe said the facility had 17 COVID-19 patients as of Friday morning, including three in the intensive care unit.
There is support for the position of the medical officer of health on schools.
We cannot justify going back to school for two weeks, considering that Timmins is in a state of crisis.
Resident of Timmins, the president of the Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers (AEFO), Anne Vinet-Roy, emphasizes that the school is the best place for students and staff. But she is not surprised by Dr. Catton’s position and understands it.
For the few remaining weeks, if we want to control as much as possible so that it does not get worse, I think the chief doctor has no choice but to make this decision and it is for the good- to be of all
, she says.
The president of the Franco-Ontarian Teachers Association (AEFO), Anne Vinet-Roy, lives in Timmins.
Photo: Radio-Canada
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The state of emergency declared by the City of Timmins recently remains in effect.
Due to the significant increase in cases and outbreaks in recent weeks, the Porcupine Health Unit says it has requested support from the province and Public Health Sudbury & Districts to follow up on people who have received a positive result and their close contacts.
The health unit is offering more immunization sessions, especially in Timmins.
For its part, the Timmins and District Hospital is offering more screening clinics.
Local partners urge the public to respect health measures and get vaccinated.
With the support of the population, Dr. Catton says she is convinced that we will be able to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks.
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