COVID-19 cases falling in Algoma
COVID-19 cases falling in Algoma
As festivals and events return to in-person formats, memories of COVID-19 may not necessarily be top of mind for people as they make summer plans.
But as cases drop in and around Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Public Health says there is still a long way to go before the pandemic is truly over.
Dr. John Tuinema, acting medical officer of health, said COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are down significantly. However, he still advises caution.
“We are now at a point in our current level of cases that is the lowest since the beginning of the Omicron wave,” said Tuinema.
“But, we still have a long way to go because we’re at about the height of where we are at the Delta wave.”
He said while Algoma didn’t see the same spike in cases as other regions, it did experience a longer plateau than most. So it’s too early to give a definitive prediction about what the summer has in store in regard to COVID-19.
“It is possible that we are seeing some combination of immunity from vaccines, as well as some natural immunity from people becoming infected," Tuinema said.
"That may be able to keep cases low for a while, so long as we continue to do our best to help stop transmission.”
He said it’s still highly recommended people wear a mask at indoor events, especially if large crowds are present. In addition, he continues to stress that if a person isn’t feeling well, they should stay home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 suspects killed, 6 police officers injured in shooting at bank in Saanich, B.C.
Six police officers are in hospital with gunshot wounds and two suspects have been killed following a shooting at a bank in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday.

'I just pray that they are going to be fine': Witnesses recall violent shooting at B.C. bank
Witnesses recount what they saw after police officers engaged in a shooting with armed suspects at a bank in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday morning. Two suspects are dead and six officers are in hospital with gunshot wounds.
B.C. Premier Horgan announces he will step down
After five years in the role, John Horgan announced on Tuesday afternoon he plans to step down as premier of British Columbia and has asked his governing party, the NDP, to hold a leadership convention later this year.
Canadians who want a Nexus card will have to travel to U.S. to get it
A Nexus card is supposed to help put low-risk Canadians on the fast track when crossing the U.S. border, but at least 330,000 Canadians aren’t sure when their applications will be processed.
Ukraine's president says Putin has become 'a terrorist'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Tuesday of becoming 'a terrorist' state carrying out 'daily terrorist acts' and urged Russia's expulsion from the United Nations.
Trump told officials to 'let my people in' and march to Capitol on Jan. 6, former aide testifies
Donald Trump rebuffed his own security's warnings about armed protesters in the Jan. 6 rally crowd and made desperate attempts to join his supporters as they marched to the Capitol, according to dramatic new testimony Tuesday before the House committee investigating the 2021 insurrection.
Airbnb party ban now permanent after pilot saw gatherings in Canada nearly halved
Airbnb has codified a global policy that prohibits guests from hosting parties or events on all listed properties.
Barrie, Ont., man sentenced for masterminding landmark Ponzi scheme
The mastermind of an elaborate Ponzi scheme that cheated hundreds of people of tens of millions of dollars was sentenced Tuesday in a Barrie, Ont., courtroom. Charles Debono has been behind bars since his arrest in 2020 for his role in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Canadian history.
RCMP official: Lucki claimed direct pressure from federal minister to name guns
A scathing letter from an RCMP communications manager released Tuesday says RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki referred to direct pressure from the federal public safety minister to release firearm details in the days after the Nova Scotia mass shooting.