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

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 3,124 and a low of 1,429.

Ontario's panel of COVID-19 expert advisers recently recommended that the province needs a "circuit breaker" with public health measures that cut contacts by 50 per cent to blunt the worst of Omicron's impact.

The science table says an accelerated booster campaign isn't enough, and that without any further measures there could be 10,000 daily new cases before Christmas.

Here's the latest on new cases in Algoma

As of 2:45 p.m., Algoma Public Health has not reported any new cases of COVID-19.

The latest cases of the virus in the region were reported yesterday.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 5 p.m. on Dec. 16:

• 206,067 tested
• 1,571 confirmed 
• 263 active cases
• 8 currently hospitalized
• 1,308 resolved
• 17 deceased

Algoma Public Health is reporting that recent results from additional laboratory testing have detected the following variants of concern in Algoma:

• B.1.1.7 (Alpha), first detected in the UK
• B.1.617.2 (Delta), first detected in India
• P.1 (Gamma), first detected in Brazil

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 1,409 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 108 in central and east Algoma
• 37 in Elliot Lake and area
• 17 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Dec. 15 states:

• 4,893 cumulative positives
• 4,200 cumulative recovered
• 65 deaths
• 11 cases currently hospitalized

Latest cases in local schools (as of 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17): 

ADSB:

• Anna McCrea Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Ben R. McMullin Public School: 3 confirmed student cases
• Blind River Public School: 1 confirmed staff case 
• Boreal French Immersion Public School: 2 confirmed student cases 
• Central Algoma Intermediate School: 2 confirmed student cases
• East View Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Francis H Clergue Public School: 2 confirmed student cases
• Greenwood Public School: 1 confirmed student case 
• Isabel Fletcher Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Parkland Public School: 1 confirmed student case, 1 confirmed staff case 
• Pinewood Public School: 8 confirmed student cases 
• R. M. Moore: 1 confirmed student case
• Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School: 3 confirmed student cases
• Thessalon Public School: 6 confirmed student cases

H-SCDSB:

• Holy Cross Catholic School: 1 confirmed student case 
• St. Basil Catholic School: 2 confirmed student cases
• St Francis French Immersion Catholic School: 2 confirmed student cases
• St Mary's College Separate School: 4 confirmed student cases

CSCNO: 

• École secondaire Notre-Dame-du-Sault: 1 confirmed student case 
• École publique Écho-des-Rapides: 1 confirmed student case

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

Algoma Public Health is continuing in phase two of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. As of 4:11 p.m. on Dec. 8:

• 198,733 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (now including third doses for those eligible)
• 42.1 per cent of children 5-11 have received at least one dose
• 82.1 per cent of youth 12-17 have received at least one dose 
• 96,267 people have received at least one dose (81.7 per cent of the population or 85.3 per cent of the eligible population)
• 89,719 people have received two doses
• 12,747 people have received three doses 

APH reported cases this week:

Cases 1,385-1,406 were reported the evening of Dec. 10. 

Cases 1,407-1,439 were reported on Dec. 11.

Cases 1,440-1,473 were reported on Dec. 12. 

Cases 1,474-1,495 were reported on Dec. 13.  

Cases 1,496-1,529 were reported on Dec. 14. 

Cases 1,530-1,551 were reported on Dec. 15. 

Cases 1,552-1,570 were reported on Dec. 16. 

COVID-19 vaccine booster dose available in Algoma to those 50+

Appointments can be booked at participating pharmacies and community clinics.

Blind River Public School and W.C. Eaket students move to online learning after suspected Omicron COVID-19 case reported

The individual is being tested to see if this is potentially a case of the Omicron variant.

Weekly virtual appointments with counsellors available to cope with holiday and COVID mental health

Those without phone, internet will still be seen in person.

CANADA: 'Every pandemic runs its course,' Tam assures public in face of Omicron

While COVID-19 might be with us for many years to come, Tam is optimistic the pandemic could end in the foreseeable future.

Regular testing for staff, visitors among changes at long-term care homes

Effective immediately (Dec. 14), all visitors must be fully vaccinated.

Traveller returning to Canada fuming after being selected for random COVID-19 testing

Shaun Parent was tested twice for COVID-19 before re-entering Canada, but was selected for mandatory random testing anyway. He wonders why he didn't have to quarantine.

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Group Health Centre

Algoma Public Health has identified eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in this outbreak.

Remote work during COVID-19 shifting the Sault's workplace paradigm

Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce says more and more organizations are going to a 'hybrid model' of work during the pandemic.

WATCH: Ford provides update on COVID vaccine booster strategy

He was joined by Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Booster shots open to people 18 years and up on Monday

Capacity limits are being lowered for venues with a capacity of 1,000 or more, rapid take-home test will be available at some LCBOs.

Further COVID measures implemented by Algoma Public Health

The news comes due to what APH calls 'ongoing extremely high COVID-19 activity in Algoma' and includes the suspected presence of Omicron in the region.

CANADA: Ottawa advises against international travel as provinces prepare to fight Omicron

Ottawa said it is sending shipments of COVID-19 booster doses and rapid tests to provinces and territories to combat the virus.

15K appointments for third dose of COVID-19 begin this weekend

The appointments can be booked online or by phone.

All PUC employees must be fully vaccinated by New Year's Eve

Return to office planned for new year is likely to be deferred.

Ontario doctors try to predict everyday life in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Things keep changing, but Ontario is definitely moving to a ‘new normal’ way of living.