New provincial cases this week ranged between a low of 847 and a high of 1,300. The number of new cases per day dipped below 1,000 on three occaisions over the last week.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal COVID-19 updates you need to know:
Algoma Public Health reports one new COVID-19 case this week
After a surge in cases last week, Algoma Public Health has only reported one new case in the last seven days. It was linked to a cluster of cases at the Warsaw apartment building in Elliot Lake.
The health unit also reported the region's third COVID-19 death on Monday.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 5:45 p.m. yesterday:
- 93,000 tested
- 194 confirmed
- 10 active case
- 1 currently hospitalized
- 184 resolved
- 3 deceased
There are no active cases in non-Algoma residents temporarily in the region.
There is currently one active outbreak at an area institution at the F.J. Davey Home. It was declared on Jan. 29.
According to data on howsmyflattening.ca, a University of Toronto-led website which collects and analyzes data from Ontario's COVID-19 cases, 61 per cent of ICU beds in Algoma Public Health's jurisdiction are currently occupied. None of the ICU beds are currently occupied by COVID-19 patients.
The data also describes the community risk level for COVID-19 in our region as 'very low.'
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 146 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 34 in central and east Algoma
- 11 in Elliot Lake and area
- 3 in north Algoma
Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Tuesday states:
- 1,721 cumulative positives
- 1,657 cumulative recovered
- 25 deaths
- 0 cases currently hospitalized
Algoma Public Health officially enters yellow zone of reopening framework
Starting Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., Algoma Public Health moved into the yellow - protect zone of Ontario's reopening framework.
City facilities, including arena and pools, reopened on Tuesday with safety protocols in place.
Gateway Casinos reopened on Wednesday, with capacity limited to 50 invited My Club Rewards members only.
Despite the gradual reopening, APH is urging all residents to remain home as much as possible in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
According to the province, the yellow zone focuses on 'strengthened measures, enhanced targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education to limit further transmission of COVID-19. Public health measures will be applied in 'high risk settings,' the province says.
Health Canada clarifies exceptions to new COVID-19 testing rules for border crossers
The federal government announced Friday all travellers arriving in Canada by land, as of Monday, with some exceptions, will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the United States within 72 hours before arrival, or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days before arrival.
As of Monday, Feb. 22, travellers entering Canada by land will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as toward the end of a 14-day quarantine.
A spokesperson for Health Canada said essential workers will be exempt from the 72-hour pre-arrival testing. The new measures, Health Canada said, are meant for non-exempted travellers.
Lake State students living in Ontario, meanwhile, may not have the same exemptions. Read more from SooToday's Darren Taylor here.
Garden River First Nation lifts COVID travel restrictions
Garden River First Nation has lifted travel restrictions through its community.
In a press release issued Tuesday night, GRFN stated that, as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, the closure, which was put in place on Jan. 4, 2021 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, will be revoked.
Charges laid following New Year's Eve party in contravention of Reopening Ontario Act
Anishnabek Police Service have charged three people as a result of a New Year's Eve party in Garden River.
Read more about the charges for hosting a party exceeding the number of persons permitted in a household here.
In a seperate incident, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service have confirmed that one of its own has been disciplined after hosting a gathering sometime around the new year.
North Shore Health Network resumes outpatient oprations, eases some visitor restrictions
As Algoma Public Health enters the Yellow - Protect zone of the province's COVID-19 Response Framework, the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) has made adjustments to its visitor restrictions and outpatient operations.
As of right now, general visiting is still on hold at NSHN sites. Read more about the restrictions here.
Shelters say they won't turn anyone away in the cold during COVID-19
Pauline's Place and St. Vincent Place both told SooToday this week that they will not leave anyone out in the cold despite COVID-19 capacity concerns.
While the Soup Kitchen Community centre cannot admit people to warm up, it is offering a bagged lunch at the door for those in need throughout the week.
Lauren Perry, the Sault's emergency management coordinator, explained that in the event of an extreme cold warning, places like GFL Memorial Gardens, John Rhodes Community Centre and the Northern Community Centre, for example, would be used as a makeshift warming centre.
Westend COVID clinic set to close next week
In a statement issued over the weekend by Westend Pharmasave and Walk-In Clinic owner/operator Jordan Jack, it was announced that the the Westend COVID Testing Clinic will be closing as of Feb. 26.
The news comes after it was announced that area long-term care home residents will soon be tested using rapid testing devices.
The Assessment Centre located at 165 Drive In Road will remain open for testing.
Vaccine procurement update for Canada, Ontario
The World Health Organization has granted an emergency authorization to AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine, a move that should allow the U.N. agency's partners to ship millions of doses to countries as part of a U.N.-backed program to tame the pandemic.
In a statement Monday, the WHO said it was clearing the AstraZeneca vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India and South Korea’s AstraZeneca-SKBio. Health Canada, however, is still having a back and forth with the British-based company on the clinical data behind the vaccine.
Meanwhile, Ontario unveiled plans on Sunday to rollout its COVID-19 vaccinations to more target groups, ahead of an expected boost in nationwide shipments of the Pfizer vaccine that could lend ammunition to the provinces' fight against the spread of contagious variants.
Outside of the information released Sunday, Ontario's health minister says the province is not ready to release more details on the vaccine plan. Christine Elliott says the province knows which age groups it wants to priotize as it distributes its vaccines, but does not yet have a reliable supply chain.
Judge agrees with Sault lawyers, that strippers may provide evidence anonymously in COVID-19 case
A Toronto judge has agreed to protect identities of strippers fighting what they say is unfair and discriminatory treatment under Ontario's COVID-19 restrictions.
A preliminary motion filed by Sault Ste. Marie lawyers Naomi Sayers and Christopher Folz has persuaded Superior Court Justice Lise Favreau to provide anonymity to strippers providing affidavit evidence to a legal challenge of the province's closure of strip clubs last September.
Read more from SooToday's David Helwig here.
How Algoma Autism Foundation continues to fight isolation during COVID-19
The Algoma Autism Foundation wants the community to know it’s still available to help and provide support for families with autistic children. These days, that support is done remotely by email or Facebook.
Foundation treasurer Melissa Raymond said the local volunteer group has tried to be creative, but it’s not the same.
Read more on what the Algoma Autism Foundation is doing during the COVID-19 pandemic here.
Here's how local businesses fared during a COVID-19 Valentine's Day
Shop owners say business was good this Valentine's Day, and that COVID-19 did not cause any rose shortages.
Small flower shops took orders over the phone or online, providing curbside service for customers over the holiday weekend.
Read more from area businesses who helped spread the love this Valentine's Day here.
Elliot Lake ski hill reopens, but Saultites won't be permitted to ski there
Elliot Lake City Council voted to reopen the Mt. Dufour Ski Hill to locals only. That means Saultites, who can't ski locally this year due to Searchmont being closed, will also have no luck travelling to Elliot Lake to ski.
Read more on the hill's reopening rules here.
