This week, new provincial daily confirmed cases have remained in the triple digits.
Today, Ontario saw the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in three months with 401 confirmed. There were between 204 and 293 reported over the last week between Saturday and Thursday.
In response, Premier Doug Ford tightened gathering restrictions in Toronto, Peel and Ottawa regions. The government also introduced a new minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of illegal social gatherings.
With students returning to the classroom these last couple weeks, SooToday has put together a guide to COVID-19 screening for families with students who have returned to the classroom.
This week also marked six months since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Take a look back on what has transpired the past six months.
Some information on what the future could hold in terms of COVID-19 can be found in Darren Taylor's story here.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
No new cases of COVID-19 in Algoma this week
Currently, there are no active cases in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Thursday:
- 33,641 tested
- 29 positive
- 32,422 negative
- 0 deceased
- 29 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 24 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
While there are no new cases in Algoma, Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported its 100th case of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Case 100 is in the Manitoulin district and reported as travel-related.
A little closer to home, Sault Michigan's Chippewa County Health Department reported possible COVID-19 exposure at a Pickford golf course on Wednesday, as well as at Dondee Lanes in Sault Michigan on Thursday. In Bay Mills, five people tested positive after a round of testing on Thursday.
Canada-U.S. border to remain closed through Oct. 21
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair has confirmed that land crossings will continue to remain closed well into fall to all but essential travelers. Read more here.
COVID-19 keeps many international students at home
Enrolment numbers at Sault College and Algoma University are lower this year, as travel restrictions have led to many international students not being able to attend either institution.
Those who have been granted travel have to quarantine themselves for 14 days upon arrival.
Read the full story on the back-to-post-secondary-school situation in the Sault here.
Sault Airport not expected to recover from COVID-19 until 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic has so far cost Sault Ste. Marie Airport more than $3.3 million, Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Shoemaker said at council this week.
Council unanimously passed a resolution on Monday requesting federal and provincial assistance for the airport. You can read it here.
Province launches voluntary COVID-19 assessment tool for students, education staff
Parents, students, and education staff now have an interactive screening tool to assess COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors before the school day.
The tool, launched by the Ontario government this week, is voluntary. Read more about it here.
Province invests $175 million in hospital upgrades, repairs
The Ontario government announced this week that it will invest $175M in 129 hospitals across the province, including $50M for COVID-19 related and other urgent projects. Learn more about the funding here.
OHL sets date for potential opening of training camps
In a release issued Thursday afternoon, the OHL announced that training camps are expected to begin on Nov. 15 with exhibition games beginning the following weekend.
The league has targeted Dec. 1 as opening day of the regular season with the schedule set to conclude on April 29. The OHL trade deadline, normally held in early January, has been moved to Feb. 10, 2021.
Read more from the league here.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau releases details on $19B in anti-COVID-19 spending as cabinet retreat wraps
Trudeau released details Wednesday of how provinces and territories will spend the $19 billion the federal government is giving them to safely restart the economy. Learn more about the plan for the money here.
WestJet offers refunds to passengers with cancelled European flights
Travellers with flights to or from Europe and scheduled to depart between March 1 and Oct. 31 of this year can be reimbursed within four weeks.
This policy marks a shift from the airline's previous stance that offered flight cred it or no-fee rebooking, rather than reimbursement for trips that were cancelled due to COVID-19.
Read more about WestJet's policy here.
Edmonton to host 2021 world junior hockey championships with no fans
The International Ice Hockey Federation Council approved the Hockey Canada plan, allowing Edmonton to host the event in 2021. No tournament dates have been confirmed for the revamped event. Read more about the plan here.
Local arts, entertainment community adapting to COVID-19
Steel City Nerdcon has been cancelled this year due to concerns over a potential spike in COVID-19 cases. Read more from event organizers here.
Meanwhile, the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site is preparing to allow 10-person COVID-19 'bubble' groups to gather this fall around their choice of an outdoor fire pit with Adirondack chairs or the indoor hearth in its summer kitchen. Read more from David Helwig here.
The Sault Theatre Workshop will be hosting a drive-in theatre this weekend, showing two vintage classics to raise money for its post-pandemic future. Read more about their plans to fundraise in the age of coronavirus here.
MPP Ross Romano reopens constituency office to visitors
Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano announced Thursday that his constituency office, located at 390 Bay St., has fully reopened to visitors. Read about the COVID-19 restrictions in place here.
Lake Superior State University cancels annual homecoming event
Lake State in Sault Michigan has cancelled its annual fall homecoming event due to COVID-19. The school will continue to hold face-to-face classes during the semester.
Read more from LSSU on the cancellations here.
