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 5,038 (data catch up) and a low of 1,073 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

Almost one in four Canadian respondents to a new online survey said they had been infected with COVID-19, while about three in four had not.

As the country grapples with its sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and less data is shared with the public, the poll by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies offers a picture of how many people have been infected.

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 at 2:50 p.m.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3:15 p.m. on April 21:

• 256,371 tested
• 7,680 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.
• 373 active cases 
• 33 currently hospitalized
• 7,307 resolved
• 49 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: 

• 6,290 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 758 in central and east Algoma
• 363 in Elliot Lake and area
• 269 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of April 20 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):

• 3,251 cumulative positives 
• 3,724 cumulative recovered
• 34 deaths
• 0 cases currently hospitalized

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

As of 3:30 p.m. on April 21:

• Population coverage

  % of total population that has received at least one dose	84.9%
  % of total population that have received at least two doses	81.7%
  % of eligible population (5+) that has received at least one dose	88.7%
  % of eligible population (5+) that have received at least two doses	85.3%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least one dose	91.2%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least two doses	88.9%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least three doses	62.2%
  % 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	60.3%

APH reported cases this week:

Active cases down, hospitalizations up in April 19 update. 

Small uptick in hospitalizations, active COVID case count drops in April 20 update. 

Two new COVID-relatedd deaths reported on April 21. 

One new COVID-related death, decrease in hospitalizations reported on April 22. 

ONTARIO: Mask rules extended in hospitals, LTC, transit until June 11

The rule requiring masks in health-care settings, long-term care homes and public transit had been due to expire on April 27, but the government announced on Friday it would be extended.

Pat King charged with perjury, obstruction of justice (April 19)

King was arrested on Feb. 18 on charges related to his involvement in the three-week protest against COVID-19 restrictions that overran the streets of Ottawa.