Public Health Ontario has reported 408 new COVID-19 cases today, with half of them coming from Toronto Public Health.
This week, the number of new daily cases has ranged betweeen 335 and 478.
In response to rising case numbers, the provincial government has tightened restrictions for restaurants and strip clubs starting Saturday.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Two new cases reported by Algoma Public Health this week
A new case of COVID-19 was reported to Algoma Public Health this week. On Monday, APH confirmed the region's 31st case of the virus and declared an outbreak at the F.J. Davey Home. This is the second positive case reported at the F. J. Davey Home in less than a week. A third case was reported on Wednesday, related to international travel. Sault College confirmed on Thursday that the positive case was a member of the campus community.
Currently, there are two active cases in the Algoma region.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated on Friday:
- 35,556 tested
- 32 positive
- 34,329 negative
- 0 deceased
- 30 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 27 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
Premier Doug Ford, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau brace for second wave of COVID-19
The provincial government has cut social gathering limits across the province. Ford announced in a rare weekend press conference that all unmonitored social gatherings would be limited to 10 people inside and 25 outdoors, a cut from the previous rules allowing 50 indoors and 100 outdoors. This does not apply to commercial facilities such as event spaces, gyms, and church gatherings.
This week, the province also revealed a huge investment in a flu immunization program. Ford announced some details of the provincial government's plan to prep Ontarians for a second wave of COVID-19. This includes the implementation of the largest immunization campaign in the province's history.
Additionally, as part of the fall preparedness plan for COVID-19, Ontario has shifted testing guidance for coronavirus. Previously, Ontario health officials were encouraging anyone who wanted to get tested for COVID-19 to do so. Now, chief medical officer of health Dr. Barbara Yaffe has said testing needs to be reserved for people with symptoms, or those who have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.
To increase testing, up to 60 pharmacies in Toronto and Ottawa regions have began testing for COVID-19, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Sault Ste. Marie pharmacies have not been included in the first phase of COVID-19 testing.
Ontario also says it will hire 98 new labour inspectors this fall as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces. Labour Minister Monte McNaughton says the government will begin to recruit the workers in October. The hiring blitz will increase the number of government inspectors from 409 to 507 and will cost $11.6 million.
In order to support seniors and people with diabilities, Ontario has announced they will extend the Ontario Community Support Program until Mach 2021. This will allow for seniors receiving deliveries of essential supplies to continue to do so.
On the federal government's side of things, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government has signed a new agreement to procure up to 20 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines.
Trudeau said in this week's address to the nation that the second wave of COVID-19 is underway. The prime minister has also encouraged Canadians not to gather for Thanksgiving as provinces see a dramatic tripling of daily new cases of COVID-19.
Trudeau has also reinstated regular COVID-19 updates as cases continue to tick upward.
Algoma U enrolment down due to international student shortfall
It came as no surprise, but members of the Algoma University board of governors were officially informed that student enrolment numbers are down due to COVID-19.
Algoma U estimates enrolment is down 27 per cent from the pre-pandemic projection.
All of the university's students are studying remotely, as Algoma is not offering any on-campus instruction at any of its three campuses at this time.
Students, teachers navigate unprecedented times during COVID-19 pandemic
Algoma District School board has issued a call for emergency teachers. The Algoma District School Board (ADSB) has issued an external job posting inviting applications “from interested community members for unqualified Emergency Occasional Teachers for both the Secondary and Elementary Panels of the Algoma District School Board.” This comes in preparation for COVID-19 outbreaks that could cause the board to lose a number of qualified teachers.
Meanwhile, remote learning has so far proven to be the preference over classroom learning for many ADSB students and parents, with some students on an actual waiting list to transfer from the classroom to remote learning. Read more from SooToday's Darren Taylor here.
Federal Conservative leader Erin O'Toole tests positive for COVID-19
On Saturday, the Conservative Party confirmed that Erin O'Toole tested positive for COVID-19.
A release stated O'Toole is self-isolating and feeling well after receiving the positive test result, and that his wife and children have tested negative.
Hospital asks Saultites to call assessment centre for COVID-19 testing
The Sault Area Hospital is seeing an uptick of numbers of people coming into the Emergency Department looking for COVID-19 testing because they believe they've been exposed or for workplace requirements.
The hospital is asking people to contact the Assessment Centre for COVID-19 testing and not to present at the emergency department.
SAH says a backlog in labratory processing – combined with on onslaught of calls into the centre due to the onset of cold and flu season – is causng a backlog in wait times for COVID-19 testing. Read more on that here.
Curling Centre won't open as planned following Thanksgiving weekend
Bad news for Sault curlers itching to return to the ice.
Community First Curling Centre announced Monday on its Facebook page that they have decided to "press pause" on return to play plans. The club cites the provincial government's recent decision to reduce gathering limits province-wide in response to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
No Poutine Feast this year
The Downtown Association announced on Thursday that it has cancelled the 2020 Poutine Feast.
Originally scheduled to take place July 1 to 5, the decision to postpone the popular event was announced in June. They hae now decided not to host the event again until 2021.
Local teacher makes a mask for every single student at Parkland
Grade 2 and 3 teacher Lily Kangas donated her time and some of her finest quilting materials to make sure students were safe at school this fall.
Read the full, heartwarming story by SooToday's James Hopkin here.
Local families find creative solutions for a safe Halloween
While the City and Algoma Public Health await direction from the provincial government on how to proceed with Halloween in the age of COVID-19, families are trying to find ways to celebrate the spooky day - safely.
Families have begun to shop for costumes and decor, parents and children buying up merchandise and/or planning for Halloween house parties. SooToday's Darren Taylor spoke with some parents, and you can read more on what they have to say here.
