New COVID-19 cases ranged between a low of 1,676, the lowest reported this month, and a high of 1,983, marking a new record, this week.
The province reported record-breaking daily numbers for three consecutive days Saturday through Monday. Thursday's 1,983 broke Monday's 1,925 record.
On Tuesday, Public Health Ontario reported 1,676 new cases, which was the lowest this month.
Ontario's top doctors released new modelling numbers this week. Numbers indicate that the province could hit 5,000 new daily COVID-19 cases by January. Top docs say in any scenario, ICU occupancy will continue to rise above 200 beds for the next month.
Additionally, Ford's government has extended emergency orders until Jan. 20.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
One new case of COVID-19 reported by Algoma Public Health this week
This afternoon, Algoma Public Health reported the area's 62nd case of COVID-19.
Currently, there are two active case in the Algoma region.
While the Sault has not reported many new cases of the virus these past two weeks, Mayor Christian Provenzano has urged Saultites to stay away from Christmas parties if they are indoor and include people from different households.
This correlates with official advice from the province's top doctors as the holiday season rolls around.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Friday at 1:57 p.m.:
- 66,264 tested
- 62 confirmed
- 2 active case
- 60 resolved
- 0 deceased
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 57 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 3 in central and east Algoma
- 2 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
First COVID-19 doses arrives this month
Health Canada approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, making Canada the second country in the world to green light the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Monday that the agreement with Pfizer will have up to 249,000 COVIID-19 vaccine doses delivered this week.
Meanwhile, the Ontario government has identified the key populations that will be first in line to receive COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.
Groups receiving the early vaccine doses in the first few months of the Ontario immunization program will include residents, staff, essential caregivers and other employees of congregate living settings, health care workers, adults in Indigenous communities and adult recipients of chronic home health care.
Ford also confirmed on Thursday that Ontario's first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed to health care workers in Ottawa and Toronto on Tuesday.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said this week that the province will issue government documentation so that people can prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Those without it may face restrictions, according to the government.
Dr. Theresa Tam said at a briefing this week that the first Pfizer vaccines will be given right at delivery sites, not at long-term care homes. Tam said that it is a "rapidly evolving situation" but acknowledged that this will make it difficult to get long-term care residents vaccinated first.
Closer to home, experts from NOSM and Laurentian have weighed in on how the vaccine will impact the pandemic. You can hear what they had to say here.
Pandemic has nurses, PSWs suffering high COVID infection rates, job stress
A recently released study details the number of Ontario health-care workers who have been infected by COVID-19, and the psychological stress that comes along with being on the frontline of a pandemic.
The 15-page study, titled Sacrificed: Ontario Healthcare Workers in the Time of COVID-19, was authored by Dr. James T. Brophy, Dr. Margaret M. Keith, Michael Hurley and Jane E. McArthur. It was presented by Hurley at a news conference last week.
COVID testing planned for Batchewana First Nation
Two COVID-19 testing dates have been set up in Batchewana First Nation next week. On Dec. 16 and Dec. 19, testing will happen between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Read more on that here.
Airport boss says Sault airport needs government assistance
The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) is reporting that from April through November of this year, passenger traffic is down 90.5 per cent.
CEO Terry Bos said the Fall Economic Statement did not provide any relief to regional sized airports. The Sault Airport is facing decreased operational revenue of $2.3 million, as well as decreased capital revenue of $1.6 million this fiscal year alone.
Local job numbers improve after COVID-19 first hit in March
Sault Ste. Marie’s employment numbers have come back to pre-pandemic levels and unemployment continues to fall.
The unemployment rate in November 2020 was 6.3 per cent compared to 8.5 per cent for Canada and 9.1 per cent for Ontario. That shows a steady improvement over the last three months, down from a high of 11.1 per cent in July.
Read the full report here.
COVID-19 cancels Shadows of the Mind Film Festival
Due to the ongoing pandemic and COVID-19 safety concerns, the Shadows of the Mind organizing committee has announced that it is cancelling the 2021 festival originally scheduled to take place in February.
Read more from the organization here.
Grand Slam events, Brier possible in a bubble format
As the calendar approaches 2021, there is potential for multiple events for Brad Jacobs, including a pair of Grand Slam of Curling events.
In a statement issued last Thursday, the final two events of the Grand Slam of Curling season, which are the lone two events on the schedule that were not cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, could be played in a ‘curling bubble’ in the new year.
If all goes according to plan, the Players Championship and Champions Cup would be played at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, in Calgary, Alta.
2021 I500 snowmobile race cancelled
Sault Michigan's 2021 International 500 Snowmobile Race has officially been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The organization made the announcement on social media on Thursday, stating it hopes the 2022 event will run from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 of that year.
Soo Jr. Greyhounds return to the ice amid COVID-19
The rules were very different than what a normal game would look like, but the Soo Jr. Greyhounds returned to the ice for game action on Saturday.
The U18 squad faced the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves in modified game action in the Great North Under-18 League Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The two teams, with rosters of 22 players each, were split into groups of 11 (10 skaters and a goaltender) with each group getting on the ice twice.
Read more about the energy at a game during COVID-19 here.
Your chance to visit Santa - safely
A new Santa Photobomb Experience will bring the Christmas spirit alive at the Station Mall, despite COVID-19.
The experience features Santa appearing in a full-length mirror to greet every guest and then transports them into a magical world using innovative photo technology.
Learn more about the event here.
Another chance to see Santa Claus is at the Sault Airport on Dec. 19. The SSMADC is hosting a holiday drive-thru parade to recognize first responders and celebrate the holiday season in a COVID-19-safe fashion.
Learn more about that event here.
