The Health Unit’s website says as of this morning (Fri) there are still no cases of COVID-19 in the district. They say according to the Public Health Agency of Canada the public health risk is low for Canada. Ontario is reporting another 19 cases of the virus, with a total of 74 confirmed, plus five pending cases. Most of the new cases are in the Toronto area, with one each in Niagara, Ottawa and Waterloo. Travel is the transmission status for most of the cases, along with close contact.

 

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) announced it will be screening all patients and visitors and restricting access at the 50 College Drive location.  Effective tonight at 8:00 pm (March 13), and until further notice, public access to the 50 College Drive location will only be available at the Emergency Department entrance. Patients and visitors will be screened before entry for respiratory illnesses (including COVID-19).  There are no COVID-19 positive cases at the hospital.

 

Nipissing University is cancelling all classes-on site and online Monday and Tuesday. Exams for those days will be rescheduled.  Starting on Wednesday, and for the remainder of the term, all classes will be offered through online or alternative means.  The University and university buildings remain open.  Team practices and fitness classes at the R.J. Surtees Athletics Centre are cancelled.  Nipissing’s residences will also remain open and operational.  All events on campus currently scheduled up to and including March 27, 2020 are being cancelled, postponed or offered virtually. Please visit nipissingu.ca/coronavirus for updates

 

Canadore, meantime, has no immediate plans to close any of its campuses. However, the College is reviewing options for the delivery of programs. The college has cancelled social events and large gatherings until April 30th.

 

The City of North Bay has cancelled an open house planned for March 18 related to future plans for Bourke Park and will have an online forum in its place.  Officials say a regular meeting of Council scheduled for March 24 will be cancelled. The city also says all public skating and shinny hockey has been cancelled until further notice.

 

The YMCA says all childcare programs at Near North Board and Nipissing Parry Sound Catholic Schools are closed.  However, licensed child care, school age care and March Break Camp will continue at 186 Chippewa Street West.

 

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Friday that the remainder of the 2019-20 season has been cancelled, due to the ongoing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.  This includes the rest of the NOJHL playoffs, the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Region event and the Centennial Cup, Canadian National Jr. A Championship.

 

The Capitol Centre has decided to cancel Les McKeown’s BAY CITY ROLLERS show, which was scheduled for Sunday.

 

The North Bay Public Library remains open, for the time being. Officials say they are monitoring the situation and are taking direction from public health authorites. They remain open with no changes to hours of operation. They have undertaken enhanced cleaning protocols.

 

The North Bay FIRST Robotics event scheduled for later this month at Nipissing University has been postponed because of the coronavirus situation. Officials say although it’s unfortunate and disappointing news for FIRST participants and supporters the safety and well-being of everyone involved is their top priority. Updates on possibly rescheduling the event will be provided when decisions are made.

 

The Big Sisters Big Brothers ‘Bowl for Kids Sake’ that was scheduled for later this month is being postponed. The event, which is their biggest fundraiser of the year, was slated for March 27th and 28th.

 

Organizers of the Restoule Winter Carnival have cancelled the event scheduled for tomorrow (Sat) due to concerns of COVID-19.

 

Ontario Soccer says all sanctioned soccer activities in the province are being suspended until further notice — because of the Coronavirus outbreak. This after discussions with the national governing body, input from relevant government agencies and medical experts. It affects all Ontario Soccer sanctioned activities including competitions, training, coach and match official education and team building activities.

 

In light of recent events involving the new Coronavirus, the Ontario Volleyball Association says ALL events up to and including April 5th have been cancelled.

 

The North Bay Museum will be delaying the start of Retro game week opening until at least next Tuesday.  The museum says in order to help keep visitors safe there are more hand sanitization stations in the museum and there will be more exhibit and facility cleaning.  The museum will be open Saturday and closed Monday March 16th.  Visitors can access the website at northbaymuseum.com/events for updated information.

 

 

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP