SUDBURY -- The surge of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues in the Sudbury area for the tenth straight day, with 67 new cases since Halloween.
Two more cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by Public Health Sudbury & Districts Thursday morning. They are both from Greater Sudbury and close contacts of another confirmed case.
This marks 192 cases in the Sudbury and Manitoulin Districts since the pandemic began in March, with one-third of the cases occurring in less than two weeks this month alone. There have been two COVID-related deaths in the districts, the last one May 1.
As of Thursday morning, there are 62 active cases within the Sudbury district, most of which are in the City of Greater Sudbury.
"We are aware of rumours about cases in our community. Public Health reminds everyone of our commitment to protect the privacy of all cases and contacts. We rely on people trusting us with their personal information so that we can act quickly to stop the spread of the virus. We only release individual-level data if there is a clear health protection need to do so. Just as you would expect your family doctor to not share your personal information, you should expect the same of public health," said the health unit in a news release.
The province's new response framework went into effect Saturday. Public Health Sudbury & Districts is currently listed in the Green - Prevent category, but things could change due to the recent surge in cases. While the number of new cases meets the threshold of the next category in Ontario's COVID-19 alert levels, the positivity percentage does not as of the Nov. 7 epidemiology update from the health unit.
As of Thursday morning, Sudbury's Health Sciences North currently has no COVID patients in the intensive care unit. There are four patients at other units within the hospital that have been tested and are currently waiting for results.
"Our capacity as of 7 a.m. this morning was 112%," said Jason Turnbull, HSN's media specialist, in an email to CTV News Thursday.
An outbreak has been declared at Sudbury's Pioneer Manor after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The only units affected at the long-term care home are the Lilac and Mallard units.
Another outbreak has also been declared in connection with a Halloween party held at a New Sudbury home without the homeowner's knowledge. Health officials said they released the address of the party because they did not have the contact information for everyone who attended.
"Public health is advising the public of this exposure because we do not have information to contact everyone who may have been exposed. It is imperative that anyone who attended this party follow public health guidance to prevent further spread of the virus," said public health.
