Public Health Ontario is reporting 195 new COVID-19 cases in the province today, which close to double the 103 cases reported yesterday.
Today's rise in numbers comes as seven more regions enter Stage 3 of the province's reopening plan. Those included are York, Niagara, Halton, Norfolk-Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Durham, and Lambton.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Steelworker wins right to cross bridge daily without self-isolating
United Steelworkers Local 2251 has successfully defended the right of an apprentice machinist from the Michigan Sault to cross the International Bridge to work at Algoma Steel without the usual mandatory two weeks of self-isolation.
The unusual case involves a man with dual Canadian and American citizenship who currently lives in Michigan's Chippewa County.
In three days of hearings held under Ontario's Labour Relations Act, the company argued that it was obliged to take every reasonable precaution to protect its employees by keeping the steel mill COVID-free.
Algoma Steel acknowledged the man's difficult family situation, but said it was unable to accommodate it without undue hardship.
The arbitrator disagreed, indicating there are ways the man's ability to work at the mill while living in Michigan could have been accommodated.
Read the full story by David Helwig here.
Education minister says school reopening plan is coming next week
Ontario's education minister says next week he will announce a new plan to reopen the province's schools in September.
Stephen Lecce says he is finalizing plans with provincial health officials including Ontario's chief medical officer.
He says the plan will include additional resources and training for staff, adding there is more the government can do.
Read more about it here.
No new cases in Algoma region today
Currently, there is one active case in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m. on Friday:
- 18,927 tested
- 27 positive
- 18,138 negative
- 762 pending
- 0 deceased
- 26 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 22 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 2 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
Association of Municipalities Ontario moves annual conference online
The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) is moving its annual conference online for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Scheduled for Aug. 17-19, the itinerary will include live interactive sessions supplemented by pre-recorded presentations, which will allow registered participants to view some content at their leisure.
Read more about the conference here.
COVID-19 alert app starts beta testing
The smartphone app meant to warn users if they've been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 is now in beta testing, three weeks after it was initially set to launch.
Learn more about the app here.
Provincial funding will help provide Indigenous businesses in Ontario
The Ontario government announced July 23 it will allocate $110,000 to the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), a non-profit organization with almost 500 Indigenous and non-Indigenous business members across the province.
Funding will come from the $50 million Ontario Together Fund.
Read more here.
Chamber joins national movement to help support local businesses
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is joining Canada United, a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country.
Canadians are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, including celebrating and supporting local businesses during the Canada United Weekend from Aug. 28 to 30, 2020.
The Fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities.
Read more about the funding here.
