26 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two potential public exposures

Algoma Public Health (APH) is reporting 26 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today (#742 – #767), 23 from Sault Ste. Marie and area and 3 from Central and East Algoma. The current number of active cases climbs to 209 but the number of hospitalized cases fell by 2 bringing that total down to 15.

In addition, APH is advising the public of two potential exposures to COVID-19.

Low-risk exposure – Thessalon Curling Club

Public health is advising of a low-risk exposure to COVID-19 for anyone who was at the Thessalon Curling Club, located at 120 Main St., in Thessalon, ON on the following dates and times to follow public health guidance.

• November 9, 2021, between 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• November 11, 2021, between 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Actions to take:

Any individual who was present on the date and times listed in the potential low-risk exposure is asked to:

• Self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days from potential exposure.
• Self-isolate immediately if symptoms develop.
• Seek testing if symptoms occur.

High-risk exposure – Sault Ste. Marie YMCA

Public health is advising anyone who was present in the women’s general change room, the men’s general change room, and/or the family change room at Sault Ste. Marie YMCA on November 11, 2021, between 7:00 pm – 8:00pm of a potential high-risk exposure to COVID-19.

Actions to take:

Any individual who was present on the date and times listed in the potential high-risk exposure is asked to:

• Regardless of vaccination status, get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
• If you are vaccinated, self-monitor for signs and symptoms.
• If you are not vaccinated, self-isolate immediately until November 21, 2021

Details of Confirmed Cases:

• Case #742 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #743 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #744 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #745 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #746 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #747 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #748 – cause of exposure international travel after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #749 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 14, 2021
• Case #750 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #751 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #752 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #753 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #754 – cause of exposure unknown after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #755 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #756 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #757 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #758 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #759 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #760 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 16, 2021
• Case #761 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 17, 2021
• Case #762 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #763 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #764 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #765 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021
• Case #766 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 17, 2021
• Case #767 – cause of exposure close contact after tested on November 15, 2021

Status of cases in Algoma:

View current situation in Algoma and the updated status of cases in Algoma.

Algoma regions with COVID-19 cases reported in the past 14 days include:

• Sault Ste. Marie and area
• Central and East Algoma

Unknown exposure means the person did not have recent international travel or close contact with a known confirmed case. How the person acquired the virus is not known.

Close contact means the person acquired their infection through close contact with a known confirmed case. For example, living together with a case, or spending more than 15 minutes with a case while less than 2 metres apart, are considered high risk close contact exposures.

International travel means the person acquired their infection from travel outside of Canada.

COVID-19 Activity in Northern Ontario

*only includes confirmed cases

COVID-19 Activity in Northern Michigan

*only includes confirmed cases

Critical Actions:

• Anyone who is ill, even with mild symptoms, must stay home and self-isolate away from others.
• As of September 22, 2021, you must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to access certain indoor businesses and settings. Learn where you will need to show proof of vaccination, and how to get and use your vaccine receipt at: covid-19.ontario.ca/proof-covid-19-vaccination
• Ontario is currently in Step 3 of Ontario’s Three-Step Roadmap to Reopen. This three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures based on ongoing progress of province wide vaccination rates and improvements of key public health and health care indicators.
• If you are considering going to a private gathering, indoor or outside, the Public Health Agency of Canada (Healthy Canadians) released recommendations on things to keep in mind. When out in public, like workplaces, public transit and stores, continue to follow public health guidance that has been put in place to minimize the risk of spread. Wear your mask, practice physical distancing and wash your hands.
• Regardless if you are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated, if you are sick or have symptoms, you should stay home and get tested for COVID-19.
• As of October 2, 2020, the mandatory masking policy was extended to all of Ontario for all indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces.

Immunization Status of Cases

Between July 1, 2021 – October 20th, 2021 there were 86 cases of COVID-19 reported in Algoma. Of these, 19 cases (22.1%) were in fully vaccinated individuals and 67 cases (77.9%) were in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.

For more information about vaccine effectiveness and the reporting of case numbers, check out APH’s infographic Vaccine Effectiveness: Beyond the case numbers.

VOC update:

VOCs continue to circulate in Algoma. VOCs are concerning because, depending on what type of mutations are present, they may spread more aggressively, lead to more severe disease, or have reduced vaccine efficacy. Results from additional laboratory testing have detected the following VOCs 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

Since July 2021 the predominant strain of COVID-19 present in Algoma has been the Delta Variant (B.1.617.2). Public Health Ontario estimates that in the first week of September, 2021 the majority (93.3%) of COVID-19 cases in Ontario had a mutation profile (N501Y- & E484K-) consistent with the Delta Variant. For more information about VOC surveillance in Ontario, visit Public Health Ontario’s VOC Surveillance page.