No new COVID-19 cases at homeless encampment in Sudbury
This week in Sudbury, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 in Memorial Park, where there is a growing encampment of homeless people.
Amanda Robichaud, director and chaplain of the Elgin Street Mission, said news of the outbreak is another worry the pandemic has caused for homeless people.
"You look around the park, anyone who has driven by sees new tents popping up all the time and it's really hard to socially distance when you are trying to stay warm, when you have a few people in a tent," said Robichaud.
A testing clinic was set up in the park Thursday, said Gail Spencer, Sudbury's coordinator of shelters and homelessness.
"Community paramedics were set up at Memorial Park so that we could offer testing to anybody who wanted to be swabbed," Spencer said.
"There was a good number of people swabbed and we are happy to say all those tests results have come back negative (Friday)."
The city confirms it has temporary accommodations available for homeless people to self isolate and be treated for COVID-19.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the city has put in place a process where people who are experiencing homelessness can be isolated through a local motel," said Spencer.
"We have our outreach van that will transport people safely to the isolation motel if they've tested positive for COVID, or if they have symptoms of COVID, so that they can be tested."
One man we talked to in the park who did not want to appear on camera said that many addicts are more concerned about getting their next fix to avoid getting sick from withdrawals than contracting COVID-19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.