After an uptick of cases reported over the weekend, Public Health Ontario is reporting 135 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Here in the Sault, Algoma Public Health (APH) reported two new case of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and Friday, bringing the region's total to 27.
These mark the region's two active cases that the health unit is aware of.
There are currently almost 1,500 pending cases in Algoma.
In more regional news, as of Friday at 12:01 a.m., Halton, Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Lambton, Niagara, and York Regions will enter Stage 3 of the province's reopening framework. This leaves Windsor-Essex, Toronto, and Peel Region in Stage 2.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
No new cases in Algoma region today
Last week, two new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Algoma region.
Exposure is unknown in the first case, while the second is suspected to have contracted the virus from the other confirmed case.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m. on Monday:
- 18,269 tested
- 27 positive
- 16,773 negative
- 1,469 pending
- 0 deceased
- 25 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 22 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
Garden River First Nation receives COVID-19 funding for elders, families living off-reserve
The federal government is providing at least $50,000 in funding to Garden River First Nation for social supports in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a news release from the office of Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan, the undisclosed funding doled out to Garden River through the $90-million Indigenous Community Support Fund is intended to address the needs of the community by providing food, supplies and services.
Read more about the funding here.
Here's what you need to know if you plan on taking an Ontario Northland bus anytime soon
If you are planning on taking an Ontario Northland bus anytime soon, you should be prepared to wear some kind of face-covering or mask.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, extra measures have been put in place including increased cleaning, application of an antimicrobial spray, limited seating capacity on buses and passenger health screenings prior to boarding.
Ontario Northland says the masking policy will be enacted and enforced in 'good faith' and passengers will not be refused transportation for not wearing a mask.
Read more about the policy here.
Shoppers hit the mall all masked up
Friday marked the first day of a new type of shopping atmosphere for Sault consumers, the majority of them wearing non-medical masks inside malls and other shopping environments due to Algoma Public Health (APH) efforts to keep Sault and Algoma COVID-19 numbers low.
Despite, APH's recommendations to wear a mask at all times, about half a dozen individuals were seen without masks at Station Mall Friday afternoon.
Read the full report by SooToday's Darren Taylor here.
SooToday's David Helwig reported on two Saultites protesting mask requirements and other freedom-related issues outside the Station Mall on Friday night. Read more on that story here.
Planning on taking a flight anytime soon? Better mask up
If you are planning on taking flight out of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport anytime soon, you should be prepared to wear some kind of face-covering or mask.
The airport also says terminal access will be restricted to passengers and airport employees on duty only.
Read more about policies and restrictions at the local airport here.
Race season pushed back further at Kinross
Racing has been pushed back again at Kinross Speedpark but track officials remain optimistic that races will be run this summer at the Kinross, Mich.-based track.
The 2020 race schedule was pushed back on Friday by facility promoters Fox Boys Racing due to the continued closure of the Canada/United State border.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has kept the border between the two countries open to only essential travellers.
Read more about the situation at Kinross here.
Recruiting process continues for Algoma U sports, despite some cancellations
With Ontario University Athletics (OUA) play in all sports in hiatus until January 2021, the teams at Algoma University continue to prepare for when university sports make a return.
Read about recent signings and preparation for upcoming sports seasons here.
Local swim team adjusts to new precautions at the pool
With the John Rhodes Community Centre opening, the Sault Surge Aquatic Team is getting back into the water to train.
After roughly four months out of the pool due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sault Surge is returning to some familiar training methods with some precautions mixed in as well.
Among the precautions in place are detailed entry and exit instructions, screening questions and temperature checks, lane assignments, and masks.
Read more about Sault Surge here.
Commons to sit as Liberals seek to extend wage subsidy, make disability payment
The House of Commons is meeting today as the Liberals seek to pass a bill to extend their wage-subsidy program, send a special payment to people with disabilities and extend some legal deadlines for court cases.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the wage-subsidy program needs to be extended to December and have its criteria loosened a little, so businesses can re-open and employ workers even if trade is slow at first as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Read more here.
