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 2,799 and a low of 1,275 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

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 3:10 p.m. Friday.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3:15 p.m. on May 5:

• 259,933 tested
• 8,136 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.
• 258 active cases 
• 32 currently hospitalized
• 7,878 resolved
• 53 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: 

• 6,626 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 814 in central and east Algoma
• 418 in Elliot Lake and area
• 278 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of May 4 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):

• 3,354 cumulative positives 
• 3,770 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 May 5:

• 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:

Region's 53rd COVID-related death reported on May 2. 

Hospitalizations increase in May 3 update. 

Hospitalizations down slightly, active COVID cases increase in May 4 update. 

Hospitalizations up, active COVID cases down slightly in May 5 update.