Public Health Sudbury appealing to province to extend new infection control funding
Public Health Sudbury and Districts plans to appeal to the province to fund one of its newer programs indefinitely.
The health unit has been visiting congregate living settings, like seniors homes and assisted living facilities, providing them with best tools and practices on how prevent infection since February.
The team of four has so far seen 92 sites across the region and has a goal to visit all of them by the end of March of next year.
The one-time funding they did receive was only expected to last 13 months and officials say there has been an overwhelming amount of positive reception to their visits.
"So we're hoping in combination with what we've accomplished so far and in line with the report that the provincial government recognizes the need for ongoing financial support to health units, hospitals - these networks of expertise to be able to continue this work with our settings," said Holly Browne, Manager of the Health Protection Division.
"They (congregate facilities) don't always have the knowledge or the skills as how to put an IPAC plan in place and this is where Public Health comes in, they're happy, they learn, it makes sense, they put in place and they feel like 'hey we're going to be able to protect our residents', they feel good about this and the residents should feel good about it too because it will protect them," said France Gelinas, Nickel Belt MPP.
The health unit's board voted to make the official request to the province on Thursday.
The program deals with not only COVID-19 but other communicable diseases including influenza, SARS and H1N1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.