The City of North Bay is confirming Mayor Al McDonald attended the same conference in Toronto last week that was attended by a Sudbury man who has been confirmed as that city’s first COVID-19 case.
Wednesday, a planned event to be hosted by the City was postponed following the news of the positive case late Tuesday evening. The Mayor was in his usual seat in Council Chambers for the regular Tuesday meetings, hours ahead of the positive test result from Sudbury.
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Communications Officer Gord Young said it was thought prudent to err on the side of caution until a clear course of action was presented from medical professionals.
Young advised, “Mayor McDonald is not experiencing any symptoms and is limiting his contact with the public and city staff by working from home pending advice from the District’s Medical Officer of Health. A City Staff member who also attended the conference is taking the same measures.”
Health officials say McDonald and other attendees from North Bay were not infected by the Sudbury positive patient at the PDAC conference in early March.
“I am confirming that based on our investigations so far, the individual was not infectious while attending the PDAC 2020 conference March 2 and 3 in Toronto,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury & District Medical Officer of Health. “Our working hypothesis at this time is that this individual was exposed to COVID-19 while at the conference and therefore we are advising those who attended the conference to monitor for symptoms for 14 days since leaving this event,” said Dr. Sutcliffe.
Meanwhile, Young confirmed the City has “increased cleaning and sanitation in recent weeks in high-contact areas,” including arenas and on transit buses. “That includes wiping down entrance doors handles, elevator buttons and handrails.”
The City has also been practicing extra precautions. “At arenas, railings heading into seating areas are wiped down at the start of each shift and again during ingress, and at the end of the night. When possible, bathroom doors are propped open to avoid the need to touch handles and paper towel dispensers are wiped down frequently. Hand sanitizer is available at guest service areas and at employee entrances.”
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The importance of taking preventative measures, including frequent handwashing, has been relayed to City of North Bay staff.
Young added, “We will be looking to the health unit for direction on any additional measures that may be required.”
