As most of Ontario, including the Algoma region, officially enters Stage 3 of reopening, Public Health Ontario is reporting 111 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today.
This is the exact number of new cases that was reported yesterday.
Since Sunday, the province has reported between 102 and 129 new cases every day.
Algoma Public Health (APH) reported another new case of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday afternoon. The new case is the only active case that the health unit is aware of, and it comes less than a week after the 25th case was reported.
There are currently over 1,400 pending cases in Algoma, as Saultites officially mask up as mandatory face covering comes into effect.
Here's the latest local, provincial, and federal news regarding COVID-19 cases and funding that you need to know:
Ontario to receive $7B of federal pandemic recovery package
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's frustration with a perceived lack of COVID-19 recovery funds flowing from the federal government turned to praise on Thursday as he learned the province would be receiving a $7 billion portion of a national aid package.
Ford announced the province's share of the $19-billion deal from a farm outside of Chatham, Ont., as he toured parts of Southwestern Ontario still grappling with the global pandemic.
He said the money will help the province provide critical services, including financial relief to municipalities who have said help from both governments could stave off local tax hikes and service cuts.
Learn more about the funding here.
Ford's government announces more risk management funding for farmers
Donning a new haircut, Premier Doug Ford announced yesterday that the Ontario government is expanding the Risk Management Program a year earlier than planned by $50 million for a total of $150 million annually.
Playgrounds now open
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has announced that outdoor playgrounds and play structures are now open.
Algoma Public Health reports region's 26th COVID-19 case on Wednesday
Alogma Public Health reported a new case of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The individual was tested on July 13.
APH says close contacts of the individual have been notified.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 8:30 a.m. on Friday:
- 17,703 tested
- 26 positive
- 16,269 negative
- 1,408 pending
- 0 deceased
- 25 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 21 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
YMCA prepares to reopen
The YMCA will reopen with precautions planned and safety measures in place on July 22.
Learn more about what working out at the Y will be like in the age of COVID-19 here.
Grocer 4 Good set to reopen next week
The Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program will open its doors to the public July 20 after temporarily closing in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under new summer hours, the grocery store - located at 133 Gore Street - will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Learn more about the social enterprise here.
Mayor issues statement on mandatory mask instructions
In a statement sent to SooToday this afternoon, Mayor Christian Provenzano urged Saultites to follow Algoma Public Health guidelines, or risk going backwards if ignored.
This statement comes as APH issued a mandatory masking order.
Parents report mixed feelings on return to class in the fall
A survey conducted by the Ontario Public School Boards Association revealed that 53 per cent of Ontarians with children in the public school system are somewhat comfortable or comfortable with students, staff, and education workers returning to school in September.
The survey also shows that a strong majority of parents support or somewhat support a mixed model of education delivery.
Read more about the survey here.
Here's how summer learning is going for the Catholic school board
A Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) educator says that board’s Summer Learning Program has been beneficial.
The rise of COVID-19, forcing students and educators to make the sudden adjustment to solely online learning from home in early 2020 and continuing throughout this summer, has shown something positive can come out of an unexpected worldwide health scare, said the H-SCDSB’s Nadia Kovacs.
Learn more about the program (and its pizza night!) here.
