Algoma Public Health has reported six new COVID-19 cases in the Algoma region, all in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
The new cases bring the total number of cases in Algoma to 110 since the pandemic began.
APH is reporting that five of the new cases in the region are under the exposure category of close contact, meaning the person was infected through close contact with a previously confirmed case.
The other case falls under the unknown exposure category, meaning the person did not have recent international travel or close contact with a known confirmed case.The individual was tested on Jan. 4.
Among the other new cases, two individuals were tested on Wednesday with the other three being tested on Thursday.
The region now has 44 active cases.
There is also one confirmed active case in the region which is an individual not from Algoma but is temporarily in the region.
The news of new cases comes as the province announced on Thursday afternoon that the lockdown in northern Ontario, which was to come to an end this weekend, has been extended for another two weeks.
Despite the recent rise in COVID cases in northern Ontario, the provincial government also announced on Thursday that elementary and secondary school students in the seven health unit regions will return to in-person learning on Monday.
