As Canada officially records more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19, Ontario continues to see a downward trend in new cases, reporting the lowest number since March 28 with a 173 lab-confirmed cases June 17.
The number of active cases in the province has also consistently decreased as the number of recoveries continues to be higher than the number of new cases.
As of June 17, there are no new cases in the Algoma region. The last case was reported in Sault Ste. Marie on June 12.
Algoma Public Health's website indicates that there is only one active case in the region, with 22 cases resolved and 23 total positive cases.
The health unit reports that a total of 9,918 people have been tested locally as of this morning.
Here are the latest local, provincial, and federal updates on coronavirus funding, reopening, and emergency orders that you need to know:
Extendicare Maple View staff member among recent positive COVID-19 tests
On Wednesday evening, SooToday reported that both recent COVID-19 cases in the Algoma district were staff members at area nursing homes.
A dietary aid at Extendicare Maple View is isolating at home after testing positive for the virus last week. Communications staff told SooToday that the aide had completed one training shift at the facility by the time the long-term facilities company became aware of the positive result on June 10.
Algoma Manor, a nursing home in Thessalon, also confirmed that one of its staff members tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Reopening and plans to reopen underway at local conservation areas, beaches
SooToday reported that the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority (SSMRCA) has quietly reopened parking lots at its conservation areas at Fort Creek and Mark's Bay this past Monday.
Public washrooms and the picnic pavilion at Fort Creek Conservation Area remain closed as a precaution due to COVID-19.
Additionally, Pointe Des Chenes campground, beach and day park will be open to the public as of Friday.
Visitors to all areas are encouraged to adhere to physical distancing measures.
See more on Pointe Des Chenes here.
Sault Minor Football cancels 2020 season
SooToday reported this afternoon that Sault Minor Football is the latest organization to cancel its season due to COVID-19.
In a post on social media Thursday afternoon, the Sault Minor Football League announced the decision to cancel the 2020 season and return to play next summer.
The league also noted that it hopes to be able to hold skills camps or scrimmage nights in August if government and health unit restrictions allow them to do so.
Province expected to extend state of emergency to July 15
The Ford government plans to extend its COVID-19 state of emergency to July 15. The emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act were extended earlier Wednesday for another ten days to June 30.
The previous extension was set to expire on June 19 and the state of emergency on June 30.
The motion will be debated in the Legislature next week and will be voted on afterward.
Read more about the state of emergency extension here.
Ontario government passes commercial eviction ban bill
The Ontario government has passed a temporary ban on the eviction of commercial tenants.
The Protecting Small Business Act also reverses evictions and prevents tenants' assets from being seized during COVID-19.
The Progressive Conservative legislation, passed on June 17, is retroactive to May 1 and runs until Aug. 31.
Read the full story here.
Canada to start blood-testing tens of thousands of residents fo COVID-19 antibodies
The federal government is buying 140,000 blood tests to begin immunity testing Canadians for signs of COVID-19 antibodies. This wlil help health officials determine how many people have already contracted the novel coronavirus.
More details on the antibody testing can be found in this story.
No new cases in the Algoma region today
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m., June 17, 2020:
- 9,918 tested
- 23 positive
- 8,838 negative
- 901 pending
- 0 deceased
- 22 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 18 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
Hospital staff protest pandemic pay
Staff from Sault Area Hospital gathered with signs and face masks to protest Premier Doug Ford over concerns that some departments may have been overlooked as it pertains to pandemic pay.
SooToday's camera crew swung by the protest. Watch the video here.
Alzheimer Society sees huge decrease in funds raised
In a news release, the Alzheimer Society of Algoma expressed a need for donations, as support services including family support and counselling, cognitive assessments, education, and recreation therapy have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The non-profit reports that they've experienced a 67 per cent decrease in April, and an 82 per cent decrease in May.
