Sudbury mayor gets tested for COVID-19

The mayor of Greater Sudbury has been tested for COVID-19, after experiencing possible symptoms.

Bigger was at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention held March 1-4 in Toronto. That's the same conference that was attended by a Sudbury man who later tested positive for COVID-19, the city's first confirmed case.

"The reason that I went for a test was I did have congestion and a persistent cough from a pre-existing condition, and so after I was screened by the public health nurses, they thought with the slight change in my cough, that it warranted testing," said Brian Bigger.

Along with the mayor, city councillors and economic development staff also attended PDAC.

Bigger said he's not aware of any other city officials or staff experiencing any symptoms.

Bigger said he will be working away from his office for the time being. He said he doesn't expect significant interruptions to his duties as mayor.

"With a phone and a laptop at home I'm actually, I'm getting a lot done," Bigger said.

Bigger's advice to residents of Greater Sudbury is to listen to public health experts.

North Bay mayor Al McDonald also attended PDAC

On Wednesday, North Bay Mayor Al McDonald announced that he and a city staff member who had also attended PDAC would be working from home.

McDonald told CBC he is not experiencing any symptoms, and will return to his office on Monday. In the meantime, he said he is not fully self-isolating, but will not attend any public events until next week.

North Bay has increased cleaning and sanitation in high-contact areas including arenas and on city buses.