Today marks one year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, drastically changing life as we knew it.
In the past 365 days, the virus has claimed many lives, four of them here in the Algoma District.
Sault Ste. Marie, along with many other municipalities across the province, is honouring the National Day of Observance by flying flags at the Civic Centre at half-mast today.
"In the district of Algoma, we have lost four lives as a result of COVID-19, and I want to offer my deepest condolences to all of the family members and loved ones affected by these tragic deaths," Mayor Christian Provenzano said in a statement issued today.
"The past year has been challenging for everyone in our community. We have all been affected by COVID-19, and I want to recognize the tremendous commitment to public health and significant sacrifices made by people across Sault Ste. Marie. It has been a tough year for all of us and I am grateful for the efforts of our community members, in particular medical and public health professionals and all of the front-line essential workers."
The full statement is as follows:
Mayor Christian Provenzano offers the following statement on the National Day of Observance:
“Today is the National Day of Observance and it marks one year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.
In the district of Algoma, we have lost four lives as a result of COVID-19, and I want to offer my deepest condolences to all of the family members and loved ones affected by these tragic deaths. In recognition, flags at the Civic Centre are flown at half-mast today.
The past year has been challenging for everyone in our community. We have all been affected by COVID-19, and I want to recognize the tremendous commitment to public health and significant sacrifices made by people across Sault Ste. Marie. It has been a tough year for all of us and I am grateful for the efforts of our community members, in particular medical and public health professionals and all of the front-line essential workers.
With vaccine distribution underway, we can begin to look at the coming weeks and months with increased confidence. However, I do want to remind people of the importance of continuing to follow the recommendations of public health professionals. COVID-19 still poses a significant and considerable risk to the health and safety of residents, and we all have a role to play in stopping the spread of the virus.
I have abiding faith in our community and our collective capacity to deal with the challenges posed by COVID-19. Together, we will defeat COVID-19, and I look to the future with optimism.”
