New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 419 and a low of 269.
As of today, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) says that it has expanded eligibility guidelines for booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines.
MRNA boosters are now recommended for those who have received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, adults over the age of 70, front-line health-care workers with a short interval between their first two doses, and people from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
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 last cases of the virus in the region were reported yesterday.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 4 p.m. on Oct. 6:
- 173,860 tested
- 518 confirmed
- 36 active cases
- 0 currently hospitalized
- 482 resolved
- 8 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
COVID cases in local schools:
There are currently nine confirmed cases linked to River View Public School - one staff member and eight students.
According to data on howsmyflattening.ca, a University of Toronto-led website which collects and analyzes data from Ontario's COVID-19 cases, 52 per cent of ICU beds in Algoma Public Health's jurisdiction are currently occupied, zero of which are COVID patients.
The data also describes the community risk level for COVID-19 in our region as 'low.'
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 414 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
- 55 in central and east Algoma
- 33 in Elliot Lake and area
- 16 in north Algoma
Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Oct. 27 states:
- 3,814 cumulative positives
- 3.137 cumulative recovered
- 52 deaths
- 2 cases currently hospitalized
Here's the latest on COVID-19 vaccinations in Algoma:
Algoma Public Health is continuing in phase two of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. As of 1:30 p.m. yesterday:
- 179, 296 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (now including third doses for those eligible)
- 80.9 per cent of youth 12-17 have received at least one dose
- 86,700 people are fully vaccinated (73.5 per cent of eligible population)
- 90,977 people have received at least one dose (79.5 per cent of the population or 89.2 per cent of the eligible population)
APH reported cases this week:
Case numbers 487 and 488 were both determined to be cases of close contact exposure.
Case numbers 489-499 all fall under the "close contact" or "unknown" categories.
Case numbers 500-503 each fall under the "close contact" category.
Case numbers 504-509 are either from close contact or recent international travel.
Case numbers 510-512 are from international travel and close contact.
Case numbers 513-518 are either unknown or from close contact.
Individual connected to YMCA childcare program tests positive for COVID-19
'APH reassures families from the YMCA Before and After program and childcare centre that if they do not receive a low risk and/or high risk contact letter, their child is not considered a close contact,' states a release from the YMCA.
River View School to go virtual for at least 10 days beginning Monday due to COVID cases
‘Not a school closure, but a precautionary measure,’ Algoma District School Board states.
Additional individuals associated with River View Public School test positive for COVID
APH is conducting a careful investigation to identify close contacts.
APH to work ‘fast and furious’ on immunizing children for COVID
“We’re actively in conversation with our school partners to see what the preference of parents is,” says APH Medical Officer of Health and CEO Dr. Jennifer Loo.
Person associated with Holy Cross School tests positive for COVID
A letter has gone out to parents and the health unit will be identifying close contacts.
Too fast and too soon: Ontario nurses group says hasty reopening not worth the risk
The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario says the province should wait to start relaxing more restrictions until after winter.
Ontario lifts capacity limits in restaurants, gyms, casinos
Limits lifted at locations where proof of vaccination is required as of Oct. 25.
COVID-19: Not the time to 'freely go wherever,' says Tam as non-essential travel advisory lifts
Being fully vaccinated, assessing the level of the pandemic in any potential destination both key when travelling, government says.
COVID-19: Ontario removes most outdoor capacity limits, would permit Santa Claus parades
Limits are also lifted in most other sectors, such as fairs and festivals, outdoor areas of museums and zoos, and ski hills as well as other outdoor recreational amenities.
ONTARIO: Take-home COVID-19 tests expanding to schools province-wide
PCR tests will be available to all public school students in a few weeks, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced on Thursday.