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

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 18,445 and a low of 11,352 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

A strategy update released by the province Thursday predicts a significant jump in demand for rapid testing to up to 18 million tests per week. 

The update also includes three new recommendations for how rapid antigen tests (RATs) should be used:

1. To screen workers who might otherwise have to isolate during a critical staff shortage. With a negative RAT test result and no symptoms, critical workers could return to work even after exposure to someone with COVID-19. 
2. For a frequent and repeated screening program for people without symptoms with the goal of identifying asymptomatic cases. This includes healthcare workers who are unvaccinated and required to take rapid antigen tests twice a week at a minimum. 
3. For people who are symptomatic but cannot get a PCR test. A person with symptoms of COVID who also tests positive with a rapid test should self-isolate and likely have COVID-19. 

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 today.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 6:

• 217,531 tested
• 2,463 confirmed *Note: As of Dec. 31, 2021, the province has limited COVID-19 PCR testing to the highest risk populations. Furthermore, some people with mild or asymptomatic infection may not seek testing. Algoma Public Health states that the numbers of confirmed cases are an underestimate of the actual number of people with COVID-19 in the Algoma region.
• 645 active cases
• 9 (1) currently hospitalized *Note: the number in brackets is a case in a non-Algoma resident currently in the region.
• 1,818 resolved
• 20 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
• B.1.1.529 (Omicron), first detected in South Africa 

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 2,116 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 215 in central and east Algoma
• 88 in Elliot Lake and area
• 44 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Jan. 5 states:

• 5,275 cumulative positives
• 4,641 cumulative recovered
• 69 deaths
• 14 cases currently hospitalized

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

As of 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 5:

• 226,711 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (now including third doses for those eligible)
• 49.5 per cent of children 5-11 have received at least one dose
• 82.8 per cent of youth 12-17 have received at least one dose 
• 97,524 people have received at least one dose (82.8 per cent of the population or 86.4 per cent of the eligible population)
• 90,643 people have received two doses
• 38,537 people have received three doses 

APH reported cases this week:

Cases 2,136-2,212 were reported on Jan. 1. 

Cases 2,213-2,257 were reported on Jan. 2. 

Cases 2,258-2,281 were reported on Jan. 3. 

Four hospitalizations (plus one person from out of the region), 616 active cases reported on Jan. 5. *note: APH has joined the province in changing the reporting of cases as of this update. 

Five additional hospitalizations (9 total plus one from out of the region), 645 active cases reported on Jan. 6. 

No additional hospitalizations, 700 active cases reported on Jan. 7.

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