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

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 1,031 and a low of 687.

Ontario residents aged 50 and older can soon book COVID-19 booster shots and more people will become eligible in January, the province announced on Thursday.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore encouraged those eligible to book booster appointments as soon as possible, stating that vaccination is the best defence against the "significant" surge in cases and the Omicron variant.

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 latest cases of the virus in the region were reported yesterday.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 2:

• 195,151 tested
• 1,208 confirmed 
• 371 active cases
• 11 currently hospitalized
• 837 resolved
• 16 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

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 1,075 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 81 in central and east Algoma
• 35 in Elliot Lake and area
• 17 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Nov. 24 states:

• 4,541 cumulative positives
• 3.870 cumulative recovered
• 57 deaths
• 10 cases currently hospitalized

Latest cases in local schools: 

ADSB:

• Anna McCrea Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Ben R. McMullin Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Boreal French Immersion Public School: 8 confirmed student cases 
• Central Algoma Intermediate School: 1 confirmed student case
• Central Algoma Secondary School: 1 confirmed student case 
• Echo Bay Central Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• Greenwood Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• HM Robbins NB Public School: 1 confirmed staff case 
• H M Robbins Public School: 1 confirmed staff case 
• Isabel Fletcher Public School: 2 confirmed student cases, 1 confirmed staff case
• Kiwedin Public School: 3 confirmed student cases, 1 confirmed staff case   
• Korah Collegiate and Vocational School: 1 confirmed student case
• Korah Intermediate School: 1 confirmed student case 
• R. M. Moore: 1 confirmed student case
• Tarentorus Public School: 3 confirmed student cases 
• Thessalon Public School: 1 confirmed student case
• White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School: 2 confirmed student cases 

H-SCDSB:

• Holy Cross Catholic School: 1 confirmed staff case 
• Holy Family Catholic School: 1 confirmed student case
• St. Basil Catholic School: 5 confirmed student cases
• St Mary's College Separate School: 3 confirmed student cases
• St Mary's French Immersion Catholic School: 1 confirmed student case
• St Paul Catholic School: 1 confirmed student case, 1 confirmed staff casse

CSCNO: 

• École publique Écho-des-Rapides: 1 confirmed student case

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 1:50 p.m. on Dec. 1:

• 188,768 total doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered (now including third doses for those eligible)
• 85.7 per cent of youth 12-17 have received at least one dose 
• 89,227 people are fully vaccinated (received two doses) (87.5 per cent of eligible population)
• 93,620 people have received at least one dose (81.8 per cent of the population or 90.9 per cent of the eligible population)

APH reported cases this week:

Cases 988-1,014 were reported the evening of Nov. 26.

Cases 1,015-1,048 were reported on Nov. 27. APH also reported the region's 15th death in this update. 

Cases 1,049-1,088 were reported on Nov. 28. 

Cases 1,089-1,121 were reported on Nov. 29. 

Cases 1,122-1,150 were reported on Nov. 30. APH also reported the region's 16th death in this update. 

Cases 1,151-1,189 were reported on Dec. 1. 

Cases 1,190-1,208 were reported on Dec. 2. 

APH restricts public gatherings amid Algoma region COVID case surge

Effective for Sault Ste. Marie as of Nov. 29. 

APH suspends close contact extracurricular activities at Sault schools

As of Nov. 26, all four school boards have immediately suspended close contact extracurricular activities for the next 28 calendar days for all schools located in Sault Ste. Marie.

Concerns raised over anti-masker presence, confrontations at former school site

Councillors and mayor aware of situation at former Sister Mary Clare Catholic School.

COVID-19 Assessment Centre sees more than 200 per cent testing increase

More than 6,600 COVID-19 tests administered in November.

Kids' COVID-19 vaccination clinics underway in the Sault (5 photos)

The Rexall pharmacy on Trunk Road held its first COVID-19 vaccination clinic for the 5-11 age group Friday after receiving its first 100 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine that morning.

Sault College reports positive COVID case

The affected class has been moved to remote learning for 10 days as a result.

Individual associated with Boreal French Immersion tests positive for COVID-19

APH is in the process of identifying close contacts.

APH issues advisories about schools - UPDATED (Nov. 29)

APH is working to identify close contacts.

Chamber provides outline for new COVID restrictions

Requirements will likely stay in effect for a 28-day period, depending on how local COVID-19 activity changes.

School and business closures not currently being considered in response to current COVID surge: APH

The local medical officer of health says the local seven-day average number of COVID-19 cases is 170 per 100,000, higher than the provincial average was when Ontario went into full lockdown.

50 per cent capacity to be allowed at hockey games, theatre presentations as APH measures come into effect

Measures on gatherings, workplaces announced Friday, take effect Monday; designed to last 28 days.

Potential COVID-19 exposure under investigation at Queen Elizabeth School

'APH is conducting a careful investigation to identify potential close contacts,' the notice states.

Greyhounds game against Sudbury postponed due to COVID (update)

The announcement comes after 12 players on the Sudbury Wolves tested positive for COVID-19.

Seniors curling championship finalizes COVID-19 precautions before first draw

The number of tickets available for the six-day Canadian championship will be limited.

Police and Algoma Public Health to enforce new restrictions: Sault Ste. Marie Police

Fines for non-compliance of the public health order range from $750 to $5,000 for each day the offence continues.

‘I could barely feel it’ - Sault doctor’s seven-year-old son gets vaccinated for COVID (2 photos)

Pediatrician urges Sault and Algoma residents to vaccinate their children.

LETTER: Concerned parents, doctors and citizens issue call to help keep students healthy and safe

More than vaccination is required to reduce local infection rates, group says. 

APH declares outbreak at Boreal French Immersion Public School

Parents and staff at the school have received letters from Algoma Public Health confirming the outbreak.

APH identifies Superior Heights bus as high-risk COVID exposure site

Those who rode Bus Route 21 from Nov. 23 through Dec. 1 may have been exposed.

Returning to Canada from a short trip to the U.S.? Use ArriveCAN or be placed under quarantine

Canadian Border Services Agency in Sault Ste. Marie has slapped quarantine measures on roughly half of all travellers returning to Canada this week - and it's all because they're missing one critical step.

LETTER: Should COVID rules be enforced by police?

COVID is here, the risks are known, reader says. 

BEYOND LOCAL: How the new COVID-19 variant was found and what we know so far

Scientists find variants by sequencing samples from people that have tested positive for the virus.

Ontario detects Canada's first two known cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant

Both cases were found in the Ottawa area.

Ontario opens up COVID testing for travellers returning from 7 African countries

Ontario medical officer of health calls for enhanced testing for travellers returning to Ontario, including take-home PCR tests.

CANADA: Five Omicron cases confirmed; Ontario investigates two others

Quebec confirmed its first Omicron case and Ottawa Public Health confirmed two more late Monday. Those were in addition to the country's first two infections that were recorded in Ottawa over the weekend.

Ontario's top medical officer said effort underway to find a more 'appealing' COVID-19 treatment for unvaccinated

Dr. Kieran Moore said this could include a new ‘traditional’ vaccine or therapy using monoclonal antibodies.

CANADA: Unvaccinated travellers barred from planes, passenger trains as of today (Nov. 30)

The government has issued warnings on social media that even Canadians and permanent residents abroad will not be able to return home without a full slate of approved vaccines.