Public Health Ontario reported 103 new cases of COVID-19 today, which is 100 fewer than the number of new cases reported on Tuesday (July 21).
It is one of the lowest daily case reports on record since March, with 102 reported on July 15 and 100 reported on March 25.
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.
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 9 a.m. on Wednesday:
- 18,773 tested
- 27 positive
- 17,985 negative
- 761 pending
- 0 deceased
- 26 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
Exhibition games permitted, locker rooms open at John Rhodes
As part of the reopening plan across the province, restrictions continue to loosen at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
New rules allow for amateur and recreational sports leagues to resume, up to 50 participants on ice surfaces, exhibition games, and the opening of locker, change rooms, showers and clubhouses.
Read more about the rules here.
Saultites protest 'COVID evictions'
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) staged protests in five Ontario cities Wednesday, all of them calling on the provincial government to repeal Bill 184, which the advocacy group says will only speed up tenant evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three local members of ACORN Canada were spotted by SooToday picketing outside the office of Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano, protesting the bill that was passed Tuesday. It received royal assent Wednesday.
Some students get to finish off studies, get diplomas during COVID-19
Sault MPP Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, announced in June some students in Ontario colleges and universities (depending on the nature of their programs) in their final year of study who were aiming to graduate in the spring and enter the workforce, would be allowed, beginning July 2, to enter their schools or work placement areas for essential hands on training in order to complete their education.
Students in several Sault College programs returned to the college or their work placement areas July 6.
While students right across the board were able to continue the theory component of their programs with their professors online throughout the COVID shutdown, Esthetician and Hairstyling Apprenticeship program students are happy to be back inside the college to finish off their required hands on training.
Learn more about their experience here.
How decisions made years ago are helping the Sault weather COVID-19
The fiscal impact of COVID-19 on the City of Sault Ste. Marie is projected to reach $1.3 million by the end of August, members of the city's finance committee were told Wednesday.
But Sault Ste. Marie is faring better than many communities because of decisions dating back years – even decades – that steered us away from non-essential municipal services, said chief administrative officer Malcolm Whit
Read the full story by David Helwig here.
Art gallery begins reopening process
After months of closure due to COVID-19, The Art Gallery of Algoma (AGA) will reopen tomorrow.
Read more about the gallery's reopening rules here.
No free movies at the band shell this summer
Sorry, movie lovers. There will be no free movies in Bellevue Park this summer.
Shadows of the Mind Film Festival made the announced on Facebook today that the Summer Shadows Film series would be cancelled, citing COVID-19 concerns.
