Public Health Ontario has reported record-breaking numbers of new COVID-19 cases almost everyday this week.
Cases ranged between a low of 1,132 on Saturday and a high of 1,572 on Thursday.
New modelling revealed Thursday afternoon shows Ontario could see 6,500 new daily cases of COVID-19 in December.
As Ontario's case count continues to rise, a group representing tens of thousands of Ontario physicians has called for the government to implement stricter COVID-19 restrictions.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Ten new cases reported by Algoma Public Health this week
On Sunday, Algoma Public Health reported eight cases of COVID-19. This is the highest number of COVID-19 cases APH has ever reported at once. The first had unknown exposure, while the others were linked to close contact with a case.
On Monday evening, a new case was reported, with another confirmed on Tuesday evening, bringing the area total to 57.
Data on an Ontario government website suggests that roughly 43 per cent of all positive cases in the Algoma region are under the age of 40, with 55.4 per cent females and 44.6 per cent males.
According to data from the province, 41 per cent of all confirmed cases in the Algoma Public Health region have been reported during the months of October and November.
In the midst of a rise in COVID-19 cases, Algoma Public Health has provided some clarification with regard to public events and crowd sizes during COVID-19.
While provincial guidelines currently allow up to ten people for private indoor gatherings and 25 for outdoor gatherings, some questions have come up about some upcoming indoor events allowing well beyond the ten person limit for private gatherings. Read more about what APH had to say here.
Currently, there are ten active cases in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Friday at 11:30 a.m.:
- 57,959 tested
- 57 confirmed
- 12 active cases
- 45 resolved
- 0 deceased
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 52 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 (CCHD) says that the total number of positive COVID-19 tests in the county has more than tripled in the last month.
In a news release issued Wednesday, CCHD reports that on Oct. 10, the case count for Chippewa County was 95. That number spiked to 404 on Tuesday.
War Memorial Hospital is now bracing for a potential surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, as an outbreak has occurred at Kinross prison, infecting a total of 63 prisoners and 16 staff.
This comes as Chippewa County reported its first COVID-19 related deaths.
In light of the increase in cases, Mayor Christian Provenzano has penned a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to press pause on bridge-crossing loopholes.
The Sault's air travel situation amid second wave of COVID-19
The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation has advised revenue is down by more than $2 million since the pandemic. Only 11,396 passengers passed through the airport from April to October, a 91 per cent decrease from last year.
Air Canada has reporting a $685 million third-quarter loss, stating the total number of passengers carried this past quarter was down 88 per cent compared with a year ago.
Meanwhile, Porter announced will be grounded until at least Feb. 11.
No homemade masks permitted at Sault Area Hospital
As of Thursday, visitors to Sault Area Hospital (SAH) won't be able to come in wearing homemade masks.
SAH has posted on their Facebook page that effective Nov. 12, all members of the public will be required to wear a surgical/procedural mask supplied by the hospital upon entry to the hospital.
Sault businesses among those receiving COVID-19 relief funding from FedNor
Sharing in $3.9 million are 27 businesses, hailing from Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, Manitoulin, Hearst and Kapuskasing, as well as Timmins, Kirkland Lake and the James Bay region. Among the organizations that will be impacted are Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, and Destination Manitoulin Island.
Read more about the funding here.
Development of COVID-19 vaccine progresses, race for rapid tests continues
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week he hopes to see COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Canada early next year, but warns that won't bring an immediate resolution to the pandemic currently seeing a resurgence in several provinces.
Pfizer and Medicago have both reported promising early results for their vaccine candidates.
Federal health minister Patty Hadju outlined vaccine priority groups, stating that vulnerable, front-line workers and groups where a vaccine would have the most impact are likely at the front of the line for when one comes available.
Additionally, the federal government confirmed this week it has signed an agreement for 7.6 million rapid COVID-19 tests.
As the pandemic continues to impact businesses and employees, Trudeau announced today the details of a $1.5 billion spending plan for provinces and territories to help sectors and underrepresented groups hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Northern Ontario MPP puts pressure on private sector to provide waiting room solutions for sick, elderly people
Northern Ontario is presented a unique problem for people waiting for an appointment at the local health lab.
France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt and the opposition Health Critic raised the issue in the Ontario legislature last Wednesday when she revealed that senior citizens can have a difficult time because they're not being allowed to sit in a waiting room at LifeLabs in some communities within her riding.
Ontario Health Coalition wants more transparency in reporting COVID-19 cases
The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) believes health units need to be more transparent when reporting virus outbreaks.
OHC has issued a news release suggesting that contact tracing is not an exact science and "clear data on how the virus is being transmitted amongst the general population is still not available." Read more from the lobby group here.
Advocates raise concerns related to coronavirus
Long-term care advocates and unions are raising concerns about Ontario's plan to introduce a new job category to help with staffing issues in long-term care homes.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the workers are likely to end up providing care not in their job descriptions because homes are short staffed.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, an advocacy group working with female inmates, is calling on the federal government to release some offenders to allow easier physical distancing behind bars.
Sault bar industry welcomes loosening of restrictions on last call
The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the workers are likely to end up providing care not in their job descriptions because homes are short staffed.Last week, the province introduced a new colour coded system which divided communities into grey, red, orange, yellow or green zones based on COVID-19 numbers and transmission levels.
The Sault is sitting in the green zone, which has allowed for bars and restaurants to go back to regular late calls for alcohol, as late as 1:45 a.m., depending on the bar or restaurant.
StatCan data suggests crime dipped during first six months of pandemic
Newly released statistics point to a notable drop in police-recorded crime during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lone exception as uttering threats by a family member, with police reporting a four per cent increase from last year.
Little NHL tournament cancelled for second straight year
The Little Native Hockey League tournament was cancelled mere days before it was scheduled to run this past March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And now, since there continues to be plenty of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it was announced earlier this week officials have decided to cancel the 2021 Little NHL.
Festival of Trees goes virtual this year
The Lung Health Foundation’s 22nd Annual Festival of Trees is still happening, but will look a little different this year.
Participants can still bid and win trees and other prizes, but everything will be online.
The Festival of Trees started Thursday, Nov. 12 and run until Friday, Nov. 20. Read more about this year's event here.
COVID-19 cancels Kiwanis draw
The Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore has announced the cancellation of its Family Fun Getaway draw due to COVID-19.
In a release issued Saturday morning, the club said the draw was being cancelled "because of COVID-19 complications that make the sale of tickets and use of the travel prize impossible for the forseeable future."
Fall Festival presents virtual event to celebrate Christmas
This Christmas season, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy invite the world into their home, virtually, to witness their music, life and preparation at Christmas time.The virtual event, A Celtic Family Christmas: at Home! will take place on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.
