Public Health Ontario has reported 1,003 new COVID-19 cases today.
This week, cases ranged between a low of 948 on Monday and Tuesday's record-breaking 1,050, hitting over 1,000 new cases on three different days.
Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has warned hospitalizations and deaths may continue to rise in coming weeks, as the worst effects of the second wave could be upon us.
Meanwhile, physicians in Ontario are reminding residents to stay in touch with their primary care physicians during the second wave of COVID-19, as other illnesses 'continue their relentless march.'
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Four new cases reported by Algoma Public Health this week
On Sunday afternoon, Algoma Public Health confirmed a new case of COVID-19. The health unit says it doesn't know how the latest case came into contact with the virus, but that they are self-isolating.
On Monday night, APH reported two new cases of the virus. Case #45 was exposed through international travel, while case #46 was in close contact with another positive case. Both are self-isolating.
On Wednesday evening, APH reported the region's 47th case, linked to international travel.
Over the weekend, APH corrected an earlier release regarding potential COVID-19 exposure on an Ontario Northland bus to Elliot Lake. The health unit originally stated exposure took place on Oct. 26 but it actually took place on Oct. 25.
Currently, there are three active cases in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Friday at 11 a.m.:
- 56,109 tested
- 47 positive
- 4 active
- 0 deceased
- 43 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 42 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 2 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
The situation south of the border
The Chippewa County Health Department reported more than 30 new cases in the county since Monday, calling the situation an 'extreme outbreak.'
Earlier this week, the health unit reported possible exposure at three bars in Sault, Michigan. The exposure at Alpha Bar, the Merch, and the Savoy took place over the Halloween weekend, according to CCHD.
The latest on traveling in and out of the Sault
Prior to confirming the region's 47th case, the health unit issued a special cross-border travel advisory encouraging even those who are exempt from quarantine restrictions to avoid cross-border travel and stay home as much as possible after crossing the border.
Additionally, as cases in Ontario continue to rise, Air Canada dropped a daily flight between the Sault and Toronto.
The federal government has also implemented new rules for entry into Canada. You can find more on that here.
Algoma District School Board reorganizing classrooms
The Algoma District School Board (ADSB) has informed parents that all elementary and secondary students will need to stay home on Monday, Nov. 16 as teachers reorganize classrooms to integrate virtual learners and transition high school students to "a new quadmester."
Read more about the transition, in response to COVID-19, here.
Province's finance minister lays out 2020 budget in the age of COVID-19
Finance Minister Rod Phillips announced on Thursday that Ontario will spend a record $187 billion this year.
The plan, the province says, prioritizes planning recovery for the COVID-19 pandemic, with money earmarked for the health-care sector, to support for seniors living at home and to subsidize electricity rates for businesses.
The fiscal plan presented Thursday also shows a record deficit of $38.5 billion for this year, consistent with the government's summer projections. A path to balance is expected in next year's budget.
Read more here.
Ford unveils new system for COVID-19 lockdowns
On Tueday, the Ontario government unveiled a tiered system for future COVID-19 lockdowns.
The framework takes a gradual approach that includes introducing preventative measures earlier to help avoid broader closures and allow for additional public health and workplace safety measures to be introduced or removed incrementally.
Algoma district is currently in the Green (prevent) level. Read more about the new system, which starts tomorrow, here.
Province commits to average four-hour care standard for long-term care residents
Premier Doug Ford announced this week that the government is increasing the hours of direct care for each long-term care resident to an average of four hours per day.
This new commitment to improve quality of care includes an average daily direct care of four hours a day per resident, hard targets set over the next four years to achieve this standard by 2024-25, and unprecedented changes to educate and recruit the tens of thousands of new personal support workers, registered practical nurses and registered nurses.
Front-line workers who left LTC homes in May won't come back, commission hears
An independent commission heard that many of the personal support workers who left Ontario's long-term care system in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic due to poor pay and lack of full-time jobs have not returned.
Head of SEIU Healthcare Sharleen Stewart told the commission that despite the province's promise to address the staffing shortages at long-term care homes, the majority of jobs for personal support workers, who were asked to choose one job to prevent staff from spreading the virus, remain part-time.
Feds pivot programming to help Canadian businesses navigate international markets during COVID-19
The federal government announced on Tuesday it would pivot the CanExport SMEs program, launched in 2016, to help businesses navigate the challenges of COVID-19 in the global marketplace.
The program will help cover partial costs for businesses to develop and expand their e-commerce presence, and attend virtual events and trade shows.
This afternoon, Trudeau's government said it will expand its Innovation Assistance Program until December.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry announced the government will spend over $155 million to extend the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program's (NRC IRAP) Innovation Assistance Program (IRAP IAP).
OHL return continues to raise questions, cause debate
Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod is standing by her statement that the Ontario Hockey League will need to remove body checking if it plans to play this season.
Following MacLeod's statement, Premier Doug Ford said no decision has been made yet on the issue.
Former Soo Greyhounds general manager Kyle Dubas said in a recent interview that he hoped the league would return to action the way fans are used to seeing it.
Jr. Greyhounds plan to resume play
The Soo Jr. Greyhounds hockey team found out this weekend that the Great North U18 AAA league, formerly known as the Great North Midget League, has received approval to take part in modified game action.
The league has gone to a cohort model that will see the Jr. Greyhounds face the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves while the other six markets will also pair up to start play. Games will be held in each market and expected to begin in early December.
Poppy Campaign changes form during pandemic
Due to COVID-19, the Royal Canadian Legion and communities across Canada will not be able to observe Remembrance Day and pay tribute to veterans and fallen comrades in the traditional way Nov. 11.
This year’s campaign is not anticipated to be as successful due to COVID-19. Local army, navy and air cadets will not be on hand to help out this year, and there won't be anybody holding poppy boxes up close, due to social distancing restrictions.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, spectators are discouraged from attending the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph.
Tips on how to keep moving while working from home
With many employees still working from home due to COVID-19, it’s important to keep your back health in mind while sitting in one place for extended periods of time. Read more from local chiropractor Dr. Ted Luck here.
Winter Wardrobe Donations steps up to cover for Coats for Kids
After hearing the news that the annual Coats for Kids winter clothing drive will be cancelled this year due to COVID-19, 22-year-old Micaela Coccimiglio knew she had to do her part to help out.
She has created a Facebook group called “Winter Wardrobe Donations” in order to collect winter apparel and donate to families in need. Read more here.
Agri-food funds now available to help address COVID-19 challenges
Ontario farmers and agri-food producers can now apply for funds to help alleviate challenges related to COVID-19 under the Place to Grow: Agri-food Innovation Initiative, a cost-sharing program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The most recent intake launched on Nov. 4 and submissions must be received by Nov. 26.
PARO conference moves online for 2020
Scheduled for Nov. 12-13, the two-day event hosted by the PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise will be move online, due to concerns presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the conference here.
Halloween during a global pandemic
Need something to lighten the mood? Check out SooToday's Halloween gallery. It is sure to put a smile on your face.
