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

New daily cases in the province ranged this week between a high of 2,944 and a low of 1,593 *note: not all symptomatic people are being tested in accordance with new Ontario guidelines.

Health Canada has approved the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adding a fifth option to Canada’s arsenal that may see more uptick from people who remain hesitant to get a dose.

The vaccine called Nuvaxocid, which is protein-based, is the first of its kind to get approval in the country and is approved for adults aged 18 and older. It is administered in two doses, 21 days apart.

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 today.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health, updated at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 17:

• 234,756 tested
• 4,605 confirmed *Note: As of Dec. 31, 2021, the province has limited COVID-19 PCR testing to the highest risk populations. Furthermore, some people with mild or asymptomatic infection may not seek testing. Algoma Public Health states that the numbers of confirmed cases are an underestimate of the actual number of people with COVID-19 in the Algoma region.
• 593(1) active cases *Note: the number in brackets are cases in a non-Algoma resident currently in the region.
• 16 currently hospitalized 
• 4,012 resolved
• 28 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
• B.1.1.529 (Omicron), first detected in South Africa 

Total confirmed cases by area of residence: 

• 3,799 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
• 472 in central and east Algoma
• 167 in Elliot Lake and area
• 167 in north Algoma

Comparatively, in Chippewa County, which covers Sault Ste. Marie Mich. and surrounding area, the COVID-19 data as of Feb. 16 states (note: case counts have been reset to reflect new reporting format. Cases from March 2020-Dec. 31, 2021: 5,275 total, 4641 recoveries, 69 deaths):

• 2,927 cumulative positives 
• 2,017 cumulative recovered
• 25 deaths
• 7 cases currently hospitalized

Here's the latest on COVID-19 vaccinations in Algoma:

As of 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 17:

• Population coverage

  % of total population that has received at least one dose	84.6%
  % of total population that have received at least two doses	80.4%
  % of eligible population (5+) that has received at least one dose	88.3%
  % of eligible population (5+) that have received at least two doses	84.0%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least one dose	90.9%
  % of adult population (18+) that have received at least two doses	88.4%
  % of youth population (12-17) that have received at least one dose	84.2%
  % of youth population (12-17) that has received at least two doses	80.5%
  % of child population (5-11) that have received at least one dose	59.1%

APH reported cases this week:

Hospitalizations down 4, active cases up 34 reported on Feb. 12. 

Hospitalizations unchanged, active number of COVID cases decrease by 58 reported on Feb. 13. 

Five new hospitalizations, 40 new active cases reported on Feb. 14. 

Hospitalizations down one, 44 new cases reported on Feb. 15. 

No new hospitalizations, 73 new cases reported on Feb. 16. 

Hospitalizations up 2, active cases decrease by 32 reported on Feb. 17. 

Booster shots available to youth ages 12-17 in Algoma

After-school and walk-in clinics for youth in need of booster planned for early March.

Pat King reports being arrested in Ottawa

Instructs fellow truckers to regroup outside the downtown.

Lambert out at Group Health Centre days after CEO's convoy donation brought to light

GHC says 'it was the right timing to bring in new leadership'.

ONTARIO: School boards required to offer remote learning option for one more year

Province is also putting $175 million to tutoring programs to address impacts of the pandemic on learning.

Romano in favour of federal, provincial emergency orders against blockades

Sault MPP says current Ontario state of emergency measures will become law when Legislature returns.

CANADA: Justin Trudeau's emergency law not the same as the one his father invoked in 1970s

Emergencies Act doesn't give the government sweeping powers in the same way the War Measures Act did, and Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms didn't exist in 1970, says director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.

COVID restrictions loosen today, here's what you need to know (Feb. 17)

Capacity limits lifting at restaurants, gyms.

Group Health Centre issues statement after CEO's convoy donation revealed

Hacked information from crowdfunding service GiveSendGo revealed that Alex Lambert, head of one of the Sault's largest healthcare organizations, had donated to the 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa.

Group Health Centre president among Sault residents who donated to anti-vaccine mandate convoy

About 70 Sault residents donated to Freedom Convoy 2022 through a crowdfunding site before the funds were frozen by the provincial government.

CANADA: Federal government lightens travel restrictions in time for March break

Travellers can opt for rapid antigen test but they will have to be administered by a lab or healthcare provider, says federal health minister.

Federal government expands Fintrac powers to crack down on blockade financing

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says crowdfunding sites being used to channel money to the protesters will now be required to report to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.

WATCH: Trudeau announcement regarding Emergencies Act (Feb. 15)

Military will not be deployed in order to deal with blockades, the prime minister said.

Ontario Government says COVID-19 metrics support March 1 vax certificates end date

Premier Doug Ford insisted the steps are not a result of pressure from anti-vaccine mandate protesters.

Ontario speeding up reopening, aims to drop vaccine passports March 1 (Feb. 14)

Capacity limits lifted at restaurants, gyms on Thursday — masking requirements stay a little longer: Ford.

WATCH: Capacity limits for restaurants, gyms lifting Thursday (Feb. 14)

Masking to remain in place.

Heavy police presence at protest (9 photos, updated) (Feb. 12)

The group of concerned citizens, protesting federal and provincial government COVID-19 vaccination mandates, carrying signs, held a peaceful protest.

The former Sault man at the heart of the trucker convoy

Patrick King has become a public face of the demonstrators camped outside Parliament Hill. Is he really worthy of so much attention?