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 2,761 and a low of 1,217 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

The province lifted mask mandates in schools, retail settings and most other indoor public spaces in Ontario earlier this week (March 21.)

This change comes a few weeks after the province lifted proof-of-vaccination rules and capacity limits. 

Select settings such as public transit, health-care facilities, long-term care homes and congregate care settings will keep mask mandates until the end of April, when the province plans to put an end to all remaining public health rules. 

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 3:30 p.m. today.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3:15 p.m. on Mar. 24:

• 247,263 tested
• 6,361 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.
• 437(6) active cases *Note: the number in brackets are cases in a non-Algoma resident currently in the region.
• 19 currently hospitalized 
• 5,924 resolved
• 42 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: 

• 5,245 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 614 in central and east Algoma
• 256 in Elliot Lake and area
• 246 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of March 23 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):

• 3,181 cumulative positives 
• 3,556 cumulative recovered
• 32 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, hospitalizations drop in March 21 update. 

APH reports one new hospitalization with COVID-19 on March 22. 

Region's 42nd COVID-related death, 50 new cases reported on March 23. 

Hospitalizations, active cases up in March 24 update. 

55 new cases reported on March 25. 

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