Algoma medical officer of health optimistic as Omicron plateaus
While the region is not out of the woods with regard to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, Algoma's medical officer of health says there is reason for optimism.
"We're certainly still in the middle of this surge in Omicron cases as we've seen across the province," said Dr. Jennifer Loo. "The good news is that we're no longer seeing that same exponential rise, especially not just in the high-risk cases that we're reporting, but also in hospitalizations."
A gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions is set to begin next week, with a minimum of 21 days between changes to provincial public health measures. Loo said she agrees with that approach.
"For this particular virus, we know that what we see today in terms of illnesses and hospitalizations were likely the result of activities one to two weeks ago," she said.
"So that 21-day period gives us that buffer to see whether the measures we're taking now are having an effect."
At Sault Area Hospital, officials said they are preparing for the eventual return of non-urgent surgeries and procedures as it recovers from its latest COVID-19 outbreak.
"We have numbers in the high 40s of staff that are off that are COVID-positive, but we are managing," said Sue Roger, vice-president of clinical programs and chief nursing executive.
"It seems to be diffused across the organization after the original, or initial, outbreak in the emergency room."
Loo said we're in a better position now compared to March 2020, when there were no vaccines and limited treatments for COVID-19 – and when the only means of stopping the spread was restrictive lockdowns.
"It's been a rough start to January for many, but hopefully with the easing of the snow and the cold will come better days ahead," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.