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

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 4,589 and a low of 2,300 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

Premier Doug Ford says he would have "no problem" extending the remaining mask mandates beyond the end of the month, if recommended by the province's top doctor.

The province has lifted mask mandates in most settings except those deemed high-risk like long-term care homes, hospitals and public transit.

Requirements for those settings are due to expire on April 27, but Dr. Kieran Moore has said he's considering extending them amid the latest wave of COVID-19 cases.

Ford says he'd accept that recommendation if Moore makes it, to protect vulnerable people.

Here's the latest on new cases in Algoma

As of 3:30 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 at 3 p.m.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3 p.m. on April 7:

• 254,297 tested
• 7,389 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.
• 409 active cases 
• 22 currently hospitalized
• 6,980 resolved
• 47 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: 

• 6,052 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 735 in central and east Algoma
• 338 in Elliot Lake and area
• 264 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of April 13 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):

• 3,234 cumulative positives 
• 3,697 cumulative recovered
• 34 deaths
• 2 cases currently hospitalized

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

As of 3:30 p.m. on April 14:

• Population coverage

  % of total population that has received at least one dose	84.9%
  % of total population that have received at least two doses	81.6%
  % of eligible population (5+) that has received at least one dose	88.7%
  % of eligible population (5+) that have received at least two doses	85.2%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least one dose	91.1%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least two doses	88.9%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least three doses	62.0%
  % 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	81.3%
  % of child population (5-11) that have received at least one dose	60.2%

APH reported cases this week:

Active cases drop in April 11 update. 

Small increase in hospitalizations and patients in ICU reported on April 12.

Increase in active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations reported on April 13. 

Region's 47th COVID-related death reported on April 14. 

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