COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault today

No new cases of COVID-19 have been reported today.

However, the health unit reported a total of 13 new COVID-19 cases over the long weekend.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 2:36 p.m.:

• 117,147 tested
• 241 confirmed 
• 15 active cases
• 1 currently hospitalized
• 226 resolved
• 4 deceased

According howsmyflattening.ca, a University of Toronto-led website which collects and analyzes data from Ontario's COVID-19 cases, 50 per cent of ICU beds in Algoma Public Health's jurisdiction are currently occupied.

The data also describes the community risk level for COVID-19 in our region as 'low,' higher than last week's rating of 'very low.'

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 173 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
• 47 in central and east Algoma
• 18 in Elliot Lake and area
• 3 in north Algoma

In terms of schools with recent COVID-19 cases, there has been one confirmed case at St. Mary's College within the last 14 days.

There are currently no active cases in non-Algoma residents temporarily in the region, and no new Variants of Concern have been reported.

Public COVID-19 exposures reported this week:

• On Sunday, APH reported a positive case linked to the St. Mary's College community. The date of concern was Thursday, April 1. The individual was a close contact of a confirmed case, and two classes with whom the individual is associated have been dismissed and close contacts are isolating until April 15.
• Also on Sunday, the health unit advised of low-risk exposure at Pino's grocery store and at the Senior's Centre downtown. Both exposures took place on March 29, 30, 31, and April 1. Those who visited either site on those days are asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
• On Saturday, APH identified potential exposure at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre. People who attended or worked at the jail on March 29, 30, 31, and April 1 are being asked to get tested for COVID-19 immediately.
• On Thursday, low-risk exposure was again reported at the Tim Hortons at the corner of Third Line and Great Northern Rd. for March 25 and 26 between 5 a.m. and noon.

Algoma Public Health is in Phase 1 of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. As of 3:30 p.m. yesterday:

• 24,421 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (22,762 people, which is 23.53 per cent of eligible residents 16+ or 19.89 per cent of all residents)
• 21,103 people have received their first dose (21.81 per cent of eligible residents 16+, or 18.44 per cent of all residents)
• 1,659 people are fully vaccinated (1.71 per cent of eligible residents 16+, or 1.45 per cent of all residents)

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

• 2,069 cumulative positives
• 1,744 cumulative recovered
• 30 deaths
• 1 case currently hospitalized