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 2,502 and a low of 1,076 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

Vaccinated travellers will no longer need to show a COVID-19 test to enter Canada beginning April 1, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos officially announced Thursday.

The change is being made at the tail end of the Omicron wave in Canada, as new reported cases of COVID-19 have declined since mid-January.

Duclos said the change is possible because of Canada's high vaccination rates and fewer cases of the virus being detected at the border.

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 at 3 p.m. today.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 2:20 p.m. on Mar. 17:

• 244,685 tested
• 5,991 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.
• 415(2) active cases *Note: the number in brackets are cases in a non-Algoma resident currently in the region.
• 14 currently hospitalized 
• 5,576 resolved
• 40 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: 

• 4,934 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 591 in central and east Algoma
• 233 in Elliot Lake and area
• 233 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of March 16 states (note: case counts have been reset to reflect new reporting format. Cases from March 2020-Dec. 31, 2021: 5,275 total, 4641 recoveries, 69 deaths):

• 3,148 cumulative positives 
• 3,474 cumulative recovered
• 31 deaths
• 1 case currently hospitalized

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

As of 3:30 p.m. on Mar. 17:

• Population coverage

  % of total population that has received at least one dose	84.8%
  % of total population that have received at least two doses	81.3%
  % of eligible population (5+) that has received at least one dose	88.6%
  % of eligible population (5+) that have received at least two doses	84.9%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least one dose	91.1%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least two doses	88.8%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least three doses	61.6%
  % of youth population (12-17) that have received at least one dose	84.4%
  % of youth population (12-17) that has received at least two doses	81.1%
  % of child population (5-11) that have received at least one dose	59.9%

APH reported cases this week:

Active cases drop, hospitalizations increase by one reported on March 14.

Region's 40th COVID-related death reported on March 15. 

Hospitalizations up by one, active COVID case count drops slightly reported on March 16. 

Hospitalizations down, active COVID cases up reported on March 17.

Region's 41st COVID-related death reported on March 18. 

Local leaders reflect on first two years of the pandemic

Sault Ste. Marie's early success with COVID-19 can be attributed to 'neighbours helping neighbours,' says MP Terry Sheehan.

CANADA: Travellers coming to Canada will no longer need COVID test (March 16)

Official announcement is expected later this week.

As COVID restrictions ease, Sault tourism sector hopes for better year in 2022

Gas prices are now a concern for local tourism.

COVID-19: 'Can't we have lives too?': High-risk Canadians feel forgotten as COVID rules lift

Removal of public health restrictions in a number of provinces has put vulnerable people in the impossible position of choosing between their health and their ability to see loved ones.

VIDEO: Masks are going away soon, are you ready? (March 14)

Saultites share their thoughts on the matter. 

Sault College to keep masks in place for rest of school year, Algoma University mulling it over

Council of Ontario Universities wants policy to remain in place for remainder of current term.

Second pandemic anniversary doesn't mark the end of COVID-19: Dr. Howard Njoo

As Canada embarks on its third year in a global pandemic, Njoo said Canadians need to remain vigilant.