As most of the province carries on with reopening measures, Public Health Ontario is reporting 165 new cases of COVID-19 today.
Public health is also reported 179 recoveries and two deaths since yesterday.
The last case in Algoma was reported on June 19. There are currently no known active cases in the region. There are currently over 1,000 pending cases in Algoma.
Today also marks the official end of the Canadian Armed Forces' mission in Ontario's long-term care homes.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
No new cases in Algoma region today
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m. on Friday:
- 14,426 tested
- 24 positive
- 13,391 negative
- 1,011 pending
- 0 deceased
- 24 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 19 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
Emergency orders amended to permit some covered outdoor dining areas
The Ontario government has amended an existing emergency order to allow some covered outdoor dining areas to open.
While restaurants and bar patios have been permitted to open as areas enter Stage 2 of the province's reopening plan, there has been some confusion about whether patios with a roof are permitted.
You can read more about what is and is not allowed here.
Health and safety training to be made available online in an effort to prevent COVID-19 spread
Premier Doug Ford announced today that his government will be spending $3 million on free online health and safety training for the first time.
In a press conference today, Ford said that the courses are meant to help job seekers and workers to get essential qualifications while practicing social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
More about the courses can be found here.
Sault business now able to crank out thousands of bottles of disinfectant for northeastern Ontario
Locally owned and operated OC Hair Bath & Body Co., a manufacturer of cosmetics, has received $185,425 in provincial government funding to ramp up production of hypochlorous acid, a much-needed medical grade surface disinfectant used in hospitals.
The money, from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), was announced by Sault MPP Ross Romano Friday via Zoom.
Read Darren Taylor's full report on the funding here.
No more free bus rides
SooToday's David Helwig reported last night that those free rides on Sault Transit buses, brought to you courtesy of COVID-19, are about to end.
After many weeks of providing free emergency pandemic service through bus rear doors, the regular cash fare of $2.95 or a bus pass will be required as of next week.
Good news for Sault splashers
The Bellevue Park Splash Pad is scheduled to reopen this weekend, according to the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
The pad will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m daily, starting Saturday, with physical distancing and other COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Sault museum set to open on Tuesday
The Sault Ste. Marie Museum is set to reopen next week. Beginning on Tuesday, July 7, the Museum will be open five days a week by appointment only.
Read more about the restrictions at the museum here.
