COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault this week

Update: Shortly after 5 p.m. Friday evening, Algoma Public Health reported four new COVID-19 cases in the Algoma region

This week, new cases of COVID-19 ranged in extreme highs in Ontario. The lowest number reported in a day was 2,938 and the highest was today's 4,227.

Ontario health officials say the average daily case rate has been almost double over the past two weeks.

Over the weekend, Canada hit yet another sombre milestone in the battle against COVID-19. The country soared past its one millionth diagnosis of the virus on Saturday. On the same day, Canada also administered its six millionth dose of vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

Experts are sounding the alarm on an impending fourth wave of the pandemic — a wave characterized by psychic trauma, burnout, mental illness and economic injury that is projected to be the largest, most enduring health footprint of COVID-19.  Learn more from experts tracking the impact of a year of COVID-19 here.

Here's the latest on new cases in Algoma

The health unit has reported a total of 28 new COVID-19 cases since April 1.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 1:34 p.m.:

• 119,798 tested
• 254 confirmed 
• 26 active cases
• 1 currently hospitalized
• 228 resolved
• 4 deceased

According to data on howsmyflattening.ca, a University of Toronto-led website which collects and analyzes data from Ontario's COVID-19 cases, 50 per cent of ICU beds in Algoma Public Health's jurisdiction are currently occupied.

The data also describes the community risk level for COVID-19 in our region as 'low.'

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 187 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 47 in central and east Algoma
• 17 in Elliot Lake and area
• 3 in north Algoma

Public COVID-19 exposures reported this week:

• On Thursday, low-risk exposure was again reported at the Tim Hortons at the corner of Third Line and Great Northern Rd. for March 25 and 26 between 5 a.m. and noon.
• On Saturday, APH identified potential exposure at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre. People who attended or worked at the jail on March 29, 30, 31, and April 1 are being asked to get tested for COVID-19 immediately.
• On Sunday, APH reported a positive case linked to the St. Mary's College community. The date of concern was Thursday, April 1. The individual was a close contact of a confirmed case, and two classes with whom the individual is associated have bee dismissed and close contacts are isolating until April 15. On Wednesday, a second case was linked to St. Mary's and the board closed the school, recommending the entire Grade 9 cohort self-isolate.
• Also on Sunday, the health unit advised of low-risk exposure at Pino's grocery store and at the Senior's Centre downtown. Both exposures took place on March 29, 30, 31, and April 1. Those who visited either site on those days are asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
• On Tuesday, Algoma District School Board reported a positive case linked to Korah Collegiate. A small number of students from Superior Heights and White Pines were impacted as well.
• An undisclosed number of Sault Transit workers are self-isolating after one of them tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in Sudbury, seven deaths were reported in just as many days last week, leaving a grim mark on the city.

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Tuesday states:

• 2,030 cumulative positives
• 1,739 cumulative recovered
• 30 deaths
• 1 cases currently hospitalized

In Chippewa County, two variants of concern were identified on Tuesday. Both were the B.1.1.7 U.K variant, which has an increased transmissibility of approximately 50 per cent.

Here's the latest on COVID-19 vaccinations in Algoma

As a dozen hotspots across the province moves into Phase 2 of Ontario's Vaccine Distribution Plan this week, Algoma's vaccination age cutoff remains at 70+ for now.

As of April 7, these communities will be able to book COVID-19 vaccines for adults aged 60+. Additionally, residents in that age group in our neighbouring health unit, Sudbury, will be able to book appointments for their vaccines.

However, this change did not apply immediately to Algoma Public Health. 

On Thursday, APH announced the round of COVID-19 Community Vaccine Hubs taking place GFL on April 17, 24, and May 1 and 8. Adults 70+ can book for any date, while 65+ can book a clinic for April 24 and onward, and adults 60+ can book a clinic for May 8 and onward. More details on who is eligible and when can be found here.

Algoma Public Health remains in Phase 1 of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. As of today at 9:36 a.m.:

• 26,353 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (24,219 Algoma residents, which is 25.03 per cent of eligible residents 16+ or 21.16 per cent of all residents)
• 22,085 people have received their first dose (This number represents 22.83 per cent of eligible residents 16+, and 19.30 per cent of all residents)
• 2,134 Algoma residents have been fully immunized with first and second doses (This number represents 2.21 per cent of eligible residents 16+, and 1.86 per cent of all residents)

Amid stay-at-home orders, the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce has called for an accelerated vaccine rollout prioritizing essential workers who cannot work from home. The chamber says this is important for helping local businesses survive the pandemic.

Shutdown, stay-at-home orders come into effect, state of emergency declared

On Saturday, a province-wide shutdown came into effect. The changes are in place for at least four weeks, affecting all 34 health units across Ontario. Read more about the rules and regulations for this shutdown here.

On Thursday, after several days of teasing further restrictions, a state of emergency and new stay-at-home order was declared by the provincial government. Details on the measures can be found here.

Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's associate chief medical officer of health, said people might be sick and tired of changing restrictions, but government action was needed in order to control the virus.

Locally, some city services are affected by the emergency brake decision. Community centres such as the John Rhodes Community Centre, Northern Community Centre, Seniors' Centres and the Ermatinger∙Clergue National Historic Site will be closed as a result. Read more about impacted services here.

Additionally, the Ontario Provincial Police is limiting public access to its facilities and detachments during the stay-at-home order.

Details of how businesses will be impacted by the new restrictions can be found here.

Schools allowed to stay open during stay-at-home order

Schools in the Algoma district, with the exception of St. Mary's College, which has been closed to in-person learning for the rest of the week as a result of positive cases being linked to the school, will remain open during the province-wide stay-at-home order.

Schools will continue to provide in-person learning with strict safety measures in place, with the exception of Peel Region, Toronto, and Guelph public health units, who have all made the decision to close schools for two weeks.

Doug Ford shoots back at claims that sick leave is needed to survive in the pandemic

Just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford was outlining the latest stay-at-home order from the Ontario government, CUPE Ontario (Canadian Union of Public Employees) said the announcement was a demonstration of Ontario's "deep political failure" during the pandemic.

CUPE said any stay-at-home order must include some sort of legislated effort at paid sick days.

Premier Ford paused his Wednesday afternoon news conference, just before taking questions from reporters, to say that anyone who said paid sick leave is the best answer is playing politics with people's lives and doing a disservice.

Ford said there is already a sick leave provision being provided by the federal government. He said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated the statement in a news conference on Tuesday that a sick leave benefit is available for front-line workers. 

Vaccine procurement accelerating rapidly, feds say

To date, 17 per cent of Canadians have received at least their first dose of vaccine, said the country’s minister of Public Services and Procurement.

Anita Anand said Canada stands seventh in the G20 in terms of doses administered per 100 people, and that procurements and deliveries are accelerating rapidly.

A total of 9.9 million vaccines had been delivered by end of March, and the second quarter will look much different, with 6 million doses expected in April, 7 million doses in May, with 44 million doses overall by the end of June, Anand said.

Premier receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Ontario's premier received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today.

Ford received a shot of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine at an Etobicoke pharmacy.

Ford says he wanted to take the shot in front of media to help encourage people to get immunized and combat vaccine hesitancy.

Ornge Air head Homer Tien tapped to replace Rick Hillier as head of Ontario's vaccine drive

The head of Ontario's air ambulance service has been tapped to lead the province's vaccine rollout, the government announced on Sunday. 

Dr. Homer Tien will replace retired general Rick Hillier as operational lead of Ontario's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.

He's set to oversee the rollout as it enters its second phase, vaccinating front-line workers and people with underlying health conditions. 

Health Canada recalls masks containing graphene as it assesses risks to people

Health Canada has issued a recall on disposable masks containing a material made of tiny particles it says could pose a danger if inhaled.

The agency is advising people not to wear masks with graphene or biomass graphene because its preliminary assessment of the available research suggests the particles cause early lung toxicity in animals, though the risks to humans are not yet known.

It says variables such as the design of a mask, how long it's worn and the type of graphene material used would all affect the potential to inhale particles from the material that is reported to have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

North Shore Health Network limits visitor access

The North Shore Health Network has limited visitor access as of this past Saturday, until further notice.

The decision comes on the heels of the provincial announcement on Thursday afternoon that the province would be going into lockdown beginning Saturday. Learn more about the restrictions at NSHN sites here.

Sault College hopes for return to on-campus activity, instruction in the fall

Sault College is preparing for its fall 2021 intake, anticipating a return to on-campus activity at its Sault, Toronto and Brampton locations.

According to a release issued on Friday, the post-secondary institution’s planning includes academic programming and student services.

If COVID-19 conditions remain the same or similar, Sault College is prepared to continue to deliver its services in a remote delivery model.

Trudeau announces $700 million final instalments of the Safe Restart Agreement

Justin Trudeau announced the final instalment of the Safe Restart Agreement funding on Tuesday

The money is not earmarked for specific pandemic spending, but is to go "where it is needed most," Trudeau said, adding provinces and territories could use it to boost testing capacity or to purchase PPE, depending on their needs.

Highlighting the fact many countries are now in a third wave of COVID-19, the prime minister said ICU beds are filling across the country and variants of concern are spreading.

Watch the full press conference here.

Local eateries want regional approach to COVID shutdowns

Frustrated restaurant owners have told SooToday that it is time to shop local and hold politicians accountable for what they call unfair closures.

This comes as local bar, The Harp, announced on Friday it would be permanently closing its doors to the public.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Thursday that it wants all governments to look at alternatives to lockdowns and increased financial support for small businesses as several provinces move to tougher restrictions.

Read the full story by SooToday's James Hopkin here.

Meanwhile, local business owner Greg Lefave is encouraging Saultites to support local with an online initiative. The #wevegotyourback initiative encourages people to support local restaurants by ordering takeout directly from the business. As part of the initiative, Lefave promises to pay for somebody's takeout for the entire month.

Meanwhile, Ontario's restaurant industry is calling on financial support from the provincial government to help cover incurred costs such as wasted inventory, staffing costs, and patio set up and takedown.

Easter Seals Telethon will be a pre-recorded TV special rather than a live event this year

The Sault Ste. Marie Easter Seals Telethon will again be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, and organizers will air the telethon special will air until April 18 at 9 a.m., noon, and 7 p.m. on Shaw.

Organizers say that the work of Easter Seals Ontario is more important than ever this year, as many children with physical disabilities have been stuck at home due to their fragile immune systems. 

Learn more about how you can help here.