Algoma Public Health warns of increased risk of COVID-19 in the area
Officials at Algoma Public Health said Thursday that there is an alarming trend in high risk COVID-19 cases across Algoma over the past week.
Across the Algoma district, health unit officials said the weekly incidence of new high-risk cases has increased by more than 50 per cent.
"Early signals indicate increased transmission of COVID-19 in the region," the health unit said in a news release.
"Residents are reminded to continue to take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19."
There has also been an increase in hospitalizations and outbreaks in high-risk settings.
“To put ourselves in the best position to reduce COVID-19 transmission and this trend, it is recommended that we remain committed to practicing the COVID-19 precautions that have helped keep us safe throughout the pandemic,” Dr. John Tuinema, acting medical officer of health, said in the release.
“Although rising cases are not unexpected in the fall, we must continue to take precautions every day to protect those at home and in the community and to protect our healthcare resources, especially this thanksgiving weekend.”
It is important to note that while a previous COVID-19 infection may provide some degree of short-term immunity, immunity does decrease over time and a person’s risk of severe illness may also increase with each re-infection. With the Omicron sub-variants circulating in Algoma, vaccination continues to be one of the best ways to protect ourselves from severe illness, hospitalization, and death, especially if at higher-risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection (from Public Health Ontario).
To minimize the risk, Algoma Public Health suggests staying up-to-date on vaccinations, keeping indoor spaces well ventilated, physical distancing, handwashing, wearing a well-fitted mask in indoors or crowded spaces (including outdoors) and rapid antigen testing and screening for symptoms.
There are vaccine opportunities available in the region, if you live in Sault Ste. Marie and area, Central and East Algoma, please visit review avaialable vaccine clinics in Algoma.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.