COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault this week

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 668 and a low of 466.

As part of the ongoing vaccine campaign, Ontario recently made the decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for long-term care staff.

The policy, announced today, is effective Nov. 15 and affects all in-home staff, support workers, students and volunteers unless they have a valid medical exemption. 

The province also announced it is expanding inspections of homes and redirecting provincial resources to enhance audit testing in homes. 

Here's the latest on new cases in Algoma

As of 2:45 p.m., Algoma Public Health has not reported any new cases of COVID-19.

The last case of the virus in the region was reported three days ago.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 1:35 p.m. today:

• 168,961 tested
• 469 confirmed 
• 7 active cases
• 0 currently hospitalized
• 462 resolved
• 7 deceased

Algoma Public Health is reporting that recent results from additional laboratory testing have detected the following variants of concern in Algoma:

• B.1.1.7 (Alpha), first detected in the UK
• B.1.617.2 (Delta), first detected in India
• P.1 (Gamma), first detected in Brazil

According to data on howsmyflattening.ca, a University of Toronto-led website which collects and analyzes data from Ontario's COVID-19 cases, 62 per cent of ICU beds in Algoma Public Health's jurisdiction are currently occupied, zero of which are COVID patients.

The data also describes the community risk level for COVID-19 in our region as 'low.'

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 373 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 55 in central and east Algoma
• 32 in Elliot Lake and area
• 9 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Sept. 29 states:

• 3,196 cumulative positives
• 2,700 cumulative recovered
• 36 deaths
• 6 cases currently hospitalized

Here's the latest on COVID-19 vaccinations in Algoma:

Algoma Public Health is continuing in phase two of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. As of 10:45 a.m. yesterday:

• 172,659 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (now including third doses for those eligible)
• 78 per cent of youth 12-17 have received at least one dose (87.3 per cent of eligible population) 
• 83,008 people are fully vaccinated (72.5 per cent of eligible population)
• 88,999 people have received at least one dose (77.8 per cent of the population or 81.4 per cent of the eligible population)

APH reports one new case of COVID in the Sault

Case #468 falls under the ‘unknown exposure’ category.

APH reports one new case of COVID-19 in Sault Ste. Marie

Case #469 was contracted through close contact.

Several walk-up COVID vaccination clinics happening in the Sault area

A number of walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics are happening in the Sault Ste. Marie area over the next few weeks.

Appointments are not necessary to attend these clinics.

The full list of clinic times and locations can be found here.

Northern Ontario doctor under fire for his ‘disgraceful’ stance on COVID-19 response

A Northern Ontario doctor who practises medicine in the Englehart, Kirkland Lake and Nipigon areas has come under fire from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CSPO) for allegedly spreading misinformation online about COVID-19,about the vaccinations and about public health measures.

The CSPO has ordered Dr. Patrick Brian Phillips to appear before a discipline tribunal for "committing an act of professional misconduct."

Read the full story here.

Credit analyst praises Sault’s COVID vaccination success

S&P Global Ratings is applauding Sault Ste. Marie’s “relatively high” COVID-19 vaccination rate as one factor in keeping our municipal credit rating stable at AA.

The credit analyst also likes our low municipal debt and modest numbers of COVID cases.

But S&P Global is also warning we have “demographic challenges” limiting our growth prospects.

Read more here.

Inspectors enforcing new COVID-19 vaccine passport to 'lead with education'

In the wake of the COVID-19 vaccine passport roll out, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton says inspectors will "lead with education" as they head out to enforce the new system.

Ontario has also launched a new Workplace Safety Plan Builder to help businesses with their health and safety plans.

Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine passport went into effect on Sept. 22. It requires people going to certain higher-risk public indoor spaces to be fully vaccinated, which is 14 days after receiving your second dose.

Read the full story here.

Sudbury’s Tyler Bertuzzi only Red Wings player to refuse vaccine

Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi’s refusal to receive COVID-19 vaccines has proven a costly stand to take. 

The Sudbury product will miss all nine of Detroit’s games in Canada this season and will lose out on a chunk of his US$4.25-million salary, according to The Canadian Press. 

Border restrictions prevent him from crossing into Canada. 

"Just personal choice, freedom of choice," Bertuzzi said of remaining unvaccinated. "It was a life decision."

College grace period for unvaccinated ends soon

After Sault College implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for students, staff and faculty beginning Sept. 7, a grace period in effect for those who are unvaccinated comes to an end soon.  

“We have allowed a grace period for everyone to be fully vaccinated by the end of October. During the grace period anyone not fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID test within 72 hours of accessing college property and must view an educational video on vaccination,” wrote Rick Webb, Sault College spokesperson in an email.

“As of Nov. 1, testing will only be permitted for those who have an approved medical or religious exemption,” the college states.

COVID-19: National advisory committee recommends booster for seniors in long-term care

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is urging long-term care homes to give boosters to residents immediately, as the Delta variant breaks out in facilities across the country.

The new guidance was released Tuesday after the committee reviewed evidence about waning immunity from the vaccines, the latest safety data and the spread of COVID-19 across the country.

The committee recommends long-term care residents and people living in seniors' homes receive another shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine — like Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna — as long as it has been six months since their last shot.

Read more here.

CANADA: Trudeau says moving on vaccine mandate for federal workers, travellers priority No. 1

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says job No. 1 of his re-elected Liberal government is to implement a rule requiring most commercial travellers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The Liberals first announced the plan in the midst of a resurgence of the virus just days before Trudeau triggered an early election last month. 

He used the policy partly as justification for calling the vote with two years left in his mandate, saying that Canadians needed to decide how they wanted to see the pandemic brought to an end.

Read the full story here. 

ONTARIO: COVID-19 rates lower than expected due to public health measures, experts say

Ontario's daily COVID-19 case counts are lower than what many experts had expected by now, and while they point to a number of factors for the relative relief, they say now is not the time to ease up on those measures.

For much of the summer, the province's top doctor warned of a September surge, followed by a bleak fall and winter. That has not materialized - yet - as the daily case counts remain under 1,000 and the graph of Ontario's seven-day average roughly shows a plateau since the beginning of September.

That's well under the worst-case scenario in Ontario's most recent modelling, which showed about 4,000 daily cases by now. Reality is more in line with the best-case scenario, in which cases would have steadily fallen since Sept. 1.

Sault libraries will require proof of vaccination starting Oct. 1

Sault Ste. Marie public libraries will require proof of vaccination and proof of identity beginning Oct. 1, 2021.

A notice from the Sault Ste. Marie Library Board states that members of the public will be screened at the entrances to both the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library and the North Branch.

The identification shown must have the name and date of birth of the patron, and the proof of vaccination must show that the last dose was given at least 14 days prior to the patron entering the library.

Click here for more. 

Refusal to show vaccination proof led to Sudbury officer's arrest

A Greater Sudbury Police officer is facing charges after an altercation at the Espanola Recreation Centre on Sept. 26, over COVID-19 protocols, Sudbury.com has learned.

In a news release, the Manitoulin OPP stated Melisa Rancourt was arrested and charged with resisting a peace officer, and entering a premises when entry has been prohibited, contrary to the Trespass to Property Act (TPA). Her partner, Dana Rancourt, was also charged with trespassing in regards to the same incidents. 

What the OPP release did not state were the circumstances that led to the women’s arrests.

Read the full story here. 

COVID-19: Tensions high between vaccinated and unvaccinated in Canada, poll suggests

A new poll suggests tensions over COVID-19 vaccines in Canada are high as frictions grow between those who are vaccinated against the virus and those who are not.

The Leger survey, conducted for the Association of Canadian Studies, found that more than three in four respondents hold negative views of those who are not immunized.

Association president Jack Jedwab says the relationships between vaccinated and unvaccinated Canadians are also viewed negatively by two out of three survey participants. 

Read the full story here.

ONTARIO: Health units preparing for COVID vaccinations of kids aged five to 11

Ontario health units are developing plans for the vaccination of children aged five to 11 once COVID-19 shots are approved for them. 

Toronto Public Health said Monday that it had formed a planning group that includes health partners, school boards, community representatives and the province, while health officials for Peel Region, Middlesex-London, Hamilton, Ottawa and York Region also said they were making arrangements. 

Click here for more. 

ONTARIO: Fourth person charged in alleged embezzlement of COVID-19 relief fund

A fourth person is now facing charges in connection with alleged fraud involving Ontario COVID-19 relief funding.

Ontario Provincial Police say 41-year-old Manish Gambhir of Brampton, Ont., was charged earlier this week with possession of an identity document and possession of property obtained by crime.

Police say Gambhir has been released on bail and is due back in court on Nov. 10.

OPP spokesman Bill Dickson says the arrest is part of the same investigation that led to the arrests of a former bureaucrat, his wife, and a third man earlier this month.

Read the full story here.

Pfizer now preferred COVID-19 vaccine for 18-24-year-olds: Ontario

Concern over a rare heart condition has led to new guidance from Ontario's top doctors. 

Ontario's preferred recommendation for people ages 18 to 24 years old is to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It is effective immediately.

The change is out of an abundance of caution based on the current available analysis from Ontario's adverse events following immunization surveillance system.

There has been an observed increase in the rare heart condition called pericarditis/myocarditis after vaccination for people who receive Moderna compared to Pfizer, particularly in men.

Read more here. 

COVID-19 protection for all users of indoor sporting facilities increased

Operators of facilities in Northern Ontario where indoor sports are played or practiced must ensure proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is provided starting Oct. 14.

Northern Ontario’s seven Medical Officers of Health have issued instructions to facility operators under the Reopening Ontario Act requiring that anyone aged 12 and older coaching, officiating, or volunteering at indoor organized sports provide proof of vaccination unless a medical exemption applies.

Hospital reports ‘excellent vaccination rate’ for employees

Most Sault Area Hospital employees have now taken the COVID-19 jab.

SAH implemented a Mandatory Health Care Worker Vaccine Policy Sept. 7.

The policy requires compliance from all new SAH employees, volunteers, physicians, students, medical learners and contractors.

Exclusions on medical grounds may be granted by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Read more here. 

Regulator imposes restrictions on northern Ontario physician who spoke out against COVID-19 vaccines

Northern Ontario physician Dr. Patrick Brian Phillips has not yet had a formal disciplinary hearing into allegations that he is spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccination process, but the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has put some hard restrictions in place that will affect Phillips' medical practise. 

Phillips lives in Englehart and has practiced medicine in Englehart, Kirkland Lake and Nipigon. 

The college will also have the right to inspect the medical charts of his patients. 

Click here for more.