Health unit ‘closely monitoring' COVID-19 activity to determine whether additional local measures needed
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Algoma Public Health says it is “closely monitoring” COVID-19 activity in all Algoma communities to determine whether additional local measures are needed to curb COVID-19 transmission in the coming days and weeks.
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The public health unit, on Friday, alerted Algoma communities and residents of an increased risk of COVID-19 due to community transmission.
“This rapid surge of COVID-19 spread is the highest Algoma has ever seen, and is still rising, ” says Dr. Jennifer Loo, medical officer of health. “With the holiday season just over six weeks away, now is the time to cut back on unnecessary risks and exposures, to stop uncontrolled transmission, and avoid the need for additional restrictions.”
APH reported Thursday 25 more Algoma District residents have tested positive for COVID-19, one from Central and East Algoma and 24 from Sault Ste. Marie and area. This brought the total number of confirmed cases to 632 since March 2020. Ninety cases are active with five hospitalizations.
And Thursday evening, Algoma District School Board said an individual associated with Pinewood Public School has tested positive for COVID-19. This is one one a number of area schools where the virus has been recently reported present.
Sudbury’s public health unit recently imposed restrictions on residents, businesses and service providers, that claw back capacity limits in the hopes of curbing the number of positive COVID-19 cases that have been climbing throughout that region.
In the seven-day period, from Nov. 5 to11, rates of new COVID-19 cases in Algoma were at 64.5 cases per 100,000 population and rising, with a most recent percent positivity of 2.0 per cent, APH reports. By comparison, in early October, seven-day incidence was less than five cases per 100,000 population and percent positivity was less than 0.5 per cent..
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APH says Algoma is at risk because people continue to routinely travel between communities. In the past 14 days, COVID-19 has been confirmed in residents of North Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie and area, and Central and East Algoma. Recent rates of new cases have been highest in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
Algoma residents of all ages have been affected, with higher rates of infection in younger adults and children, APH reports. In a recent seven-day period, 35.5 per cent of Algoma cases were in those 40-59, 30.3 per cent were in people 20-39, 17.1 per cent were in children 0-19, 15.8 per cent were in people aged 60-79, and 1.3 per cent were in people over 80.
Beginning Friday, Sault Area Hospital is closed to all visitors. Essential caregivers who support loved ones will continue to be permitted and will be required to show proof of vaccination.
“Significant community transmission of COVID-19, hospital overcapacity and an increase of hospital COVID-19 admissions are factors that have led to this difficult decision,” the hospital said.
Considerations for exemptions may be made in the following circumstances:
– Accompanying someone under 18;
– Providing support for patients in labour;
– End of life situations;
– Trauma/critical illness;
– Vulnerable individuals (e.g. cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate, or mobility);
– Medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination;
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– Children under 12 will be considered for visits on an individual basis in extenuating circumstances;
– Support persons for outpatients are considered essential caregivers and must be vaccinated to enter the facility.
Those not fully immunized are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, APH says. Since the beginning of Algoma’s fourth wave of the pandemic in mid-July, 66 per cent of COVID-19 cases were in people not fully immunized. Since the beginning of Algoma’s fourth wave of the pandemic in mid-July, 34 per cent of COVID-19 cases were in people who were fully immunized.
APH advises that anyone sick, even with mild symptoms, to stay home and isolate, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. They should also take the COVID-19 self-assessment every day before work and complete the school screening tool before school or child care as well as get tested if any COVID-19 symptoms are present, and isolate at home until results are available.
Household members who are not fully immunized must also stay home until the symptomatic person’s test results are available.
“Isolation means you must stay home and not go to work or school. Do not gather, visit, or have visitors or playdates while you are isolating,” APH says
APH also advises cutting back on unnecessary activities where unmasked, face-to-face close contact happens with people you don’t live with.
“Do this even if you are fully immunized, and especially if you have vulnerable health conditions or are not fully immunized,” APH says.
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“Spending time indoors with other people without masks is a higher risk activity, especially if not everyone is fully immunized.”
APH advises to stay masked and physically distanced when outside of home as much as possible, to avoid unnecessary exposure.
“This is especially important while at work or school to help prevent outbreaks in these essential settings,” APH says.
Health professionals and other workers who provide services within two metres of an unmasked client (e.g. food servers, workers in personal service settings like hair and nail salons) should wear PPE that protects eyes, nose and mouth.
Pause or postpone non-essential gatherings until community transmission is lower, APH advises.
“A person infected with COVID-19 can spread the virus to others 48 hours before they feel sick,” APH says. “Although fully immunized people are at lower risk of severe disease, they can still get COVID-19 and spread the virus to others. If you are not fully immunized, avoid non-essential travel. If you are fully immunized and must travel, stay informed of current requirements and take preventive measures to lower your risk.”
APH advises everyone eligible for the COVID vaccine should get it.
Everyone turning 12 or older in 2021 is eligible to get fully immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine. Many people are also now eligible for a third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including people aged 70 and over, health care workers, and people who are Indigenous.
'Rapid surge' of COVID-19 spread highest district has seen: Algoma Public Health - Sault Star
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