Public Health Ontario has reported 826 new COVID-19 cases today.
This week, cases ranged between 827 on Tuesday and Saturday's record-breaking 1,042.
Ontario's Health Minister Christine Elliott suggested this week that the recent Thanksgiving festivities have affected the province's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in a handful of hotspots.
Canada hit a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic this week. On Wednesday, Canada surpassed 10,000 COVID-19-related deaths.
In other COVID-19 'firsts,' on Tuesday, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs advised that a dog in the Niagara Region has tested positive for COVID-19. This is believed to be the first confirmed case in a canine in Canada.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Two new cases reported by Algoma Public Health this week
This week, SooToday confirmed that Fit4Less advised some of its membership that an employee at the club tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 22. The initial notifications were sent to an undisclosed number of members via email Thursday, advising them of the times the affected employee was in the facility from Oct. 10-18.
On Monday, APH confirmed the 42nd case of COVID-19 in the region. The health unit says the person with COVID-19 was a close contact of another person who tested positive. Tuesday, the health unit reported a 43rd case.
Late Thursday afternoon, APH reported potential COVID-19 exposure on an Ontario Northland bus to Elliot Lake. APH emphasized that the the risk of infection is considered low.
Currently, there are two active cases in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Friday at 11 a.m.:
- 54,420 tested
- 43 positive
- 2 active
- 0 deceased
- 41 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 38 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
The situation south of the border
The Chippewa County Health Department is reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week.
In a release, the Health Department says the increase is "likely due to community transmission, group gatherings among adults, and relaxing of social distancing and masking.
Read more from the Chippewa County Health Department here.
OHL pushes back target start date
In August, the league announced plans to begin regular season play on Dec. 1 and announced in mid-September hopes that training camps would open on Nov. 15.
With a spike in COVID-19 cases across the province this fall and the closure of the border between Canada and the United States extended at least until Nov. 21, the league has pushed back its potential start date well into the new year.
In a release issued Thursday, the league has announced a start date of Feb. 4 with players reporting to training camp on Jan. 22 and camps opening the following day.
Curtains remain closed at Sault Community Theatre Centre
The show will go on, but it's anyone's guess as to when Sault Community Theatre Centre will open its doors for live performances and events.
Live performances there have either been cancelled or postponed until 2021, with full refunds being offered for dates that have been permanently cancelled. Read more from the theatre centre here.
Federal and provincial governments continue to respond to COVID-19
Due to steady cases of COVID-19, the federal government has extended its ban on big cruise ships until at least February.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that the federal government has commenced consultations in order to improve living conditions for foreign workers across the country, as a result of challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government is being urged by veterans' associations to act as the data suggests COVID-19 is making it harder for veterans to get help. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, fewer veterans have applied for assistance due to challenges posed by the pandemic.
In terms of finances, Trudeau says the government's promised update on the health of its finances won't have a specific anchor to keep spending from spiralling out of control. He suggests a robust update is coming after the COVID-19 crisis is over.
The provincial government announced Tuesday it will spend $11.6 million on hospital beds in Ontario. According to the PCs, this will create up to 766 more beds at 32 hospitals and alternate health facilities across Ontario.
In other funding news, Ford said the provincial government plans to spend up to $1.05 billion as part of a new COVID-19 resilience infrastructure stream. The funding, which the federal government is also a part of, will see money available to build or renovate health and safety related projects in long-term care, education and municipalities.
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford has given support to Niagara MPP Sam Oosterhoff after he has come under fire for posing in a tight crowd with no masks. Oosterhoff has deleted the pictures from his Facebook page and said that the pictures were taken in a banquet hall during an event that followed physical distancing guidelines.
This comes just after federal Health Minister Patty Hadju was photographed at Pearson Airport in Toronto without a face covering.
Long-term care inquiry continues in Ontario
The independent commission into long-term care homes in Ontario has said critical staffing shortages should be urgently addressed as the second wave of the pandemic intensifies in interim recommendations, released Friday.
In a letter to the government, the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission said the province must spend more money, on a permanent basis, so the homes can hire more personal support workers and nurses.
The Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton announced Wednesday that staff at Ontario's nursing homes can now be granted anonymity when testifying for a commission examining how COVID-19 spreads in the province's long-term care system. This comes after employees expressed fear of losing jobs and having their hours reduced for speaking out.
Union rallies in support of retirement home workers
About a dozen Unifor Local 1359 members rallied outside Pathways Retirement Residence on Trunk Road Friday, showing support for approximately 30 Unifor-represented employees who work at the seniors complex.
Unifor Local 1359 president Kelly Janes stated they want a mixture of full-time and part-time personal support workers (PSWS) and registered practical nurses, as well as housekeeping and laundry staff, to be included in the three dollar per hour incentive Ontario Premier Doug Ford granted PSWs in long-term care homes and hospitals.
Ford announced the temporary extra pay for nearly 147,000 PSWs beginning Oct. 1 (intended to last until March) to recognize the work they are doing as frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Searchmont won't be making snow this season, cites COVID-19 concerns
The announcement that Searchmont Resort will not be making snow this season was made via social media Monday.
Searchmont Resort says the decision to not begin its usual snowmaking process is due to "the significant cost and so many variables surrounding the coronavirus."
Good news for curling fanatics
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a delayed start to the season, registration opened this week for curling at the Community First Curling Centre.
Facility manager Ian Fisher said in a phone interview Friday evening that the latest date that the Board of Directors is planning to have ice in at the centre is Nov. 16, which coincides with the first day league play.
St. Basil students donate more than 350 masks to local non-profits
More than 350 masks will go to community members in need, thanks to the work of students in the ACE class at St. Basil Catholic Elementary School.
The masks, hand-made by students, are being donated to Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre, St. Vicent Place and Pauline's Place as part of an ongoing commitment by the life skills class to give back to the community in some way each year.
Read more about the donation here.
Poppy Campaign changes form during pandemic
Due to COVID-19, the Royal Canadian Legion and communities across Canada will not be able to observe Remembrance Day and pay tribute to veterans and fallen comrades in the traditional way Nov. 11.
With that in mind, the Sault's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 will be holding a ‘We Remember’ Display Challenge from Oct. 30 to Nov. 11.
Learn more about the campaign here.
Algoma's annual trick-or-treating event takes drive-thru form this year
The Algoma University Students Union's Drive Through Collection Drive is planned for Saturday and will accept donations of non-perishable items as a part of the event. Read more about the COVID-19 friendly celebration of Halloween here.
Local group collects Koats for a Kause despite COVID-19
Addiction and Mental Health Advocates is hoping to help out this winter by hosting Koats for a Kause, a winter clothing drive to aid the Sault's vulnerable populations. The event comes as COVID-19 cancels the traditional Coats for Kids event. Read more about the fundraiser here.
