As all regions of Ontario officially enter Stage 2 of the province's reopening plan today, Public Health Ontario is reporting 112 new cases of COVID-19, one of the lowest daily reports in the last three months.
The number of tests processed in a single day has also declined, with 15,112 reported today.
In the last couple of weeks, the province has been reporting between 20,000 and 30,000 tests processed per day.
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.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Province to introduce bill to extend some emergency measures over the next year
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones is expected to introduce a bill at the provincial legislature today that would enable the extension of some pandemic emergency orders over the next year.The proposed law would allow the government to extend or amend some emergency orders a month at a time, with the law expiring a year after it's passed.
Under current legislation, the province can only issue emergency orders while the state of emergency is in place.
Ontario's state of emergency is set to expire July 15 and Premier Doug Ford has said he hoped not to extend it again.
Read more about the current measures versus the changes being proposed here.
No new cases in Algoma region today
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday:
- 14,974 tested
- 24 positive
- 13,945 negative
- 1,005 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
Member of the Bay Mills Indian Community has tested positive for COVID-19
According to a social media post from Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) Tribal Chairman Bryan Newland issued Monday, the confirmed positive case is the second tribal citizen to be diagnosed with the virus.
The individual is now self-isolating at a residence outside the reservation.
If BMIC determines there has been a high level of exposure to COVID-19 in the community, Newland says its executive council could consider moving back to level four restrictions, which would include the closure of all non-essential businesses.
Tribal citizens who have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are now being asked to immediately isolate at home, and contact both Bay Mills Health Center and the Chippewa County Health Department for further instruction.
Ontario introduces bill to extend some emergency measures over the next year
Premier Doug Ford announced today that the Ontario government has introduced legislation to give them the ability to lift the provincial declaration of emergency while continuing some emergency orders.
The goal, according to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, is to have the ability to react quickly if there is a surge of cases.
Sault Airport sees record-low traffic during COVID-19
Despite reported record-lows by the Sault airport, the development corporation is reporting that 440 passengers passed through in the month of June.
This marks a significant increase from the 132 total passengers recorded in April and May combined, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak.
International bridge crossings still way down as non-essential travel ban continues
Similar to the situation with the Sault airport, despite low numbers compared to last year's bridge crossings due to COVID-19, 11,207 vehicles still crossed the International Bridge last month.
The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority has reported that the majority of these vehicles have been commercial trucks and commuters.
New COVID-19 recovery funding available for local agri-food sector
The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) has announced a new funding program to assist the agri-food economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the funding here.
