CANADABRIEFLY
Stampede laying off 80% of workforce
CALGARY — The future of the 2020 Greatest Show on Earth is up in the air after the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede temporarily laid off 80% of its staff Tuesday as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stampede CEO Warren Connell said the organization had laid off a total of 890 workers — 608 were casual part-time and the other 282 that were regular part-time and full time.
He said the Stampede is a not-for-profit group and simply can’t afford to keep things operating as usual.
“By taking these dramatic measures of temporary layoffs we’re looking to support the long-term sustainability of the organization and its role in the community. Hopefully with those jobs we will be able to provide again relatively soon depending on how things go,” Connell said.
The exhibition hosts 1,200 other events besides the 10-day Stampede, ranging from weddings with 200 to 300 guests to car shows that attract upwards of 60,000 spectators.
Ottawa Senators player tests positive for virus
OTTAWA — An Ottawa Senators player has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first NHLer to be diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The Senators did not name the player when releasing the news Tuesday night.
The team said in a statement he has had mild symptoms and is in isolation.
The statement added the organization is in the process of notifying anyone who has had known close contact with the athlete and is working with team doctors and public health officials.
The Senators have asked all of their players to remain isolated and says its medical staff will be monitoring the health of the players.
The Senators played in San Jose, Calif., against the Sharks on March 7 despite the county where the arena is located recommending no large public gatherings days earlier. It was one of three NHL games played in San Jose after the recommendation.
The Senators stayed in California for games against the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings before the season was suspended.
The Senators’ game at the Staples Center last Wednesday came a day after the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets — who said they had four players test positive for COVID19 on Tuesday — played at the same arena against the Los Angeles Lakers.
14 WestJet flights had exposure to COVID-19
CALGARY — WestJet Airlines says some of its passengers may have been exposed to people infected with the novel coronavirus on recent flights.
The Calgary-based company made the announcement on its website and social media Tuesday, listing flights and rows.
It says passengers in affected rows are considered close contacts to those infected and could be at risk of exposure.
The airline says that public health officials are recommending people who sat in those rows to self-isolate for 14 days.
WestJet says people who were on the listed flights but not in affected rows are advised to self-monitor for signs of cough, fever or respiratory issues and to call their local health authorities if symptoms arise within the next 14 days.
The company says a total of 14 flights between Feb. 28 and March 12 had passengers on board who tested positive. It listed six additional flights late Tuesday.
Recent Western Canadian flights included Edmonton to Grande Prairie on March 12; Las Vegas to Edmonton on March 12; and, Cancun to Calgary on March 12.
The remaining flights originated or landed in Toronto, including two flights to Liberia, Costa Rica, and another to Moncton between March 7 and 9.
AA temporarily closing
some meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is temporarily closing many of its meetings across Canada in an effort to curb COVID-19.
AA, which typically meets in churches, legion halls, and other public meeting rooms, is directly affected by government efforts to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic by closing facilities where groups gather.
The Ottawa branch has shuttered its central office until further notice but its website offers resources for teleconferencing or other online options.
AA’s regional Ontario conference, including the group’s Alateen and Al Anon arms, was officially cancelled Sunday.
Latest numbers of
COVID-19 cases
The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 5:30 p.m. PT on March 17, 2020: — Ontario: 189 confirmed (including one death and 5 resolved)
— British Columbia: 186 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 5 resolved)
— Alberta: 97 confirmed
— Quebec: 74 confirmed
— Manitoba: 8 confirmed, 7 presumptive
— New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 6 presumptive
— Saskatchewan: 8 presumptive
— Nova Scotia: 1 confirmed, 6 presumptive
— Newfoundland: 3 presumptive — Prince Edward Island: 1 confirmed — Total: 566 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 10 resolved), 30 presumptive