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

Province announces some cautious loosening of long term care home visit restrictions; Ford said he understands those asking ‘when can I see my Mom?’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday the province will allow “a cautious restart of visits” to long term care homes, retirement homes, group homes and other congregate living settings not currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, beginning Thursday, June 18.

Ford was joined by Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton, who told the media “we are seeing the infection numbers stabilize” in long term care homes.

On the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the provincial government will allow one visitor per resident at a minimum of one visit per week (for outdoor visits only) at long term care homes.

Retirement homes will allow outdoor and indoor visits with the number of visitors being left to the discretion of each home.

Visitors must have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, pass a screening questionnaire, clean their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer upon arrival and departure, wear masks, stay in designated areas and maintain physical distance, Fullerton said.

Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith said visits will soon be possible in outdoor areas of homes supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of gender based violence and children’s residential settings (two visitors per visit, per home, observing current COVID-19 precautionary measures).

“I get asked this every single day…’when can I see my Mom?’ and it hits home, I hear,” Ford said, repeating the need to be careful to observe COVID-19 cautionary measures when visiting long term care and retirement homes.

Public Health Ontario states recoveries continue to climb faster than new cases in the province.

Public Health Ontario reports 505 new recoveries from COVID-19 compared to 203 new cases today.

There are 12 more deaths reported today. The latest victims include six people aged 60 to 79, and six people over the age of 80.

Of the total 31,544 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Ontario, 2,487 people have died (7.9 per cent), 25,881 people are now recovered (82.1 per cent).

Locally, Algoma Public Health (APH) reported Algoma’s 22nd case of COVID-19 Wednesday.

Due to COVID-19 fears, the City of Sault Ste. Marie has announced it is cancelling traditional outdoor Canada Day events, including its fireworks display.

Algoma University has announced classes for the fall 2020 term will not be held face-to-face, but virtually, at Algoma’s campus locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m., June 11, 2020: