As Windsor-Essex remains in Stage 2 due to COVID infections of farmworkers, most of the province is well into its third week of Stage 3 reopenng.
Public Health Ontario reported 91 new cases of COVID-19 today, and 88 new cases yesterday.
Locally, Algoma Public Health has not reported a new case since mid-July. The local health unit has conducted over 21,000 tests.
Here are the latest local, provincial, and federal updates on coronavirus funding, reopening, and emergency orders that you need to know:
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 on Tuesday.
- 21,425 tested
- 27 positive
- 20,572 negative
- 826 pending
- 0 deceased
- 27 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 22 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
Porter Airlines defers service again
It'll now be October before travellers can fly with Porter Airlines.
The Toronto-based airline announced on Aug. 4 it would not resume passenger service until Oct. 7.
This marks the third delay to restart operations since Porter first suspended service on March 21, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more here.
COVID-19 keeps bridge crossings down from last year, but 12,070 vehicles still crossed in July 2020
International Bridge traffic has decreased by more than 60 per cent so far this year, the International Bridge Administration stated in a recent news release.
Crossings in July were down almost 92 per cent compared to July 2019. However, 12,070 vehicles still crossed the international bridge this month.
The government of Canada imposed COVID-19 international travel restrictions March 21 and has since extended the order until at least Aug. 21.
Upgrades on hold at Sault airport due to COVID-19
Prior to COVID, Sault Ste. Marie’s airport had some lofty plans in the works.
A story in the March 2020 edition of Northern Ontario Business said the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp. was planning a $5-million multi-stage upgrade of airport amenities, including a redesigned parking lot, the construction of a new hotel and possibly a new flight-training business.
The status of other ideas, such as a new hotel, is currently up in the air.
The airport has its focus on monitoring trends in the air travel industry and makes its plans accordingly. Much of this depends on what the various airlines are doing.
Airport CEO Terry Bos expects that July’s numbers will see a bit of an uptick compared to June, but he’s cautious about predicting if the trend will continue for August.
Read more about the situation at the Sault Airport here.
Rollout of COVID Alert app faces criticism over accessibility on older phones
The federal government's COVID-19 contact tracing app is facing criticism for its download requirements, which restrict some Canadians from accessing and using the app.
The app requires users to have Apple or Android phones made in the last five years, and a relatively new operating system.
Read more about the criticism here.
Sudbury immunologist says COVID-19 infections likely much higher than official numbers
Dr. Alain Simard says asymptomatic carriers are not being tested and do not know they are carrying the coronavirus.
When asked if this might mean a second wave is on the way, Simard said the whole idea of a second wave is debatable. He quoted a World Health Organization report indicating that the first wave has not yet disappeared in most cases.
Read more from Dr. Simard here.
