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COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault today

21st case of virus confirmed in Algoma; Ford government plans ramped up testing for province
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Premier Doug Ford, in a rare Sunday morning address, urged more Ontarians to get tested for COVID-19.

Ford’s comments came after a large Saturday gathering of people enjoyed warm, sunny weather at Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park after weeks of being cooped up indoors.

“Until a vaccine is found, our best defence is to detect it, isolate it and slow the spread,” Ford said.

Ford said the province, next week, will be releasing a detailed testing strategy, “targeting various sectors and hot spots across the province.”

Ford urged people to get tested at the nearest assessment centre “if you are worried you have COVID-19...or that you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.”   

There are 129 assessment centres around the province.

Ford added “I want to stress, even if you receive a negative test result it doesn’t mean you’re clear...you can still be exposed to the virus. So please continue to monitor your health. Watch for symptoms, and get tested again if you see symptoms or you’re worried about exposure.”

As reported earlier, Public Health Ontario is reporting 460 new cases of COVID-19 today, including 25 deaths, including nine people between the ages of 60 and 79, another 15 people over the age of 80.

The province has recorded 25,500 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. To date, 19,477 people have recovered (76.4 per cent of the province’s total cases) and 2,073 people have died (8.1 per cent of the total number of cases).

The Ministry of Long-Term Care reports 1,525 long-term care residents and six staff have died, and there are 1,948 active cases in residents and 1,392 active cases in staff.

Locally, Algoma Public Health confirmed the 21st case of COVID-19 in Algoma Saturday.

Members of local churches shared how they are adapting to holding online worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Algoma University’s registrar told us the postsecondary institution, having had to cancel its traditional convocation scheduled for June 6, plans to hold a virtual celebration of student achievement instead June 13.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 9:30 a.m., May 24, 2020: 

  • 6,337 tested
  • 21 positive
  • 5,889 negative
  • 427 pending
  • 0 deceased
  • 16 resolved

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

  • 17 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
  • 1 in central and east Algoma
  • 3 in Elliot Lake and area
  • 0 in north Algoma