Tracking the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the northeast

The number of people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 northeastern Ontario as of April 26/22 (CTV Northern Ontario)

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the northeast has remained steady over the last few weeks at more than 100 total hospitalizations. The total number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the region sits at 119 as of April 26 at 11 a.m.

Over the last seven days, there have been nine COVID-related deaths in the northeast - four in Sudbury-Manitoulin, four in Algoma and one in the Cochrane District. Up from six the week before.

Sudbury's health unit said on its website Monday out of the 135 total deaths in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, COVID-19 was the underlying cause in 97 of those deaths, while COVID-19 contributed to the death of 35 residents, but was not the underlying cause. Three of the deaths are still under investigation, as the individuals had COVID-19 when they died, but it has not yet been confirmed to be the underlying cause of death.

None of the other four health units have provided the same type of distinction yet.

All health units in northern Ontario report that, because of the Omicron variant and limits on the number of tests, the actual COVID-19 active case count is higher than the daily reports. Daily test results reflect at-risk individuals and those who are showing significant symptoms.

Novel coronavirus infections are reported by public health agencies for residents that live within the districts. The number of active cases comes from the total confirmed positive less cases that have been resolved, including deaths. In northeastern Ontario, there are five health units and here is the change in the number of cases since the last update:

Algoma Public Health  87 new, 69 resolved, including 1 death Monday

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit  126 new Monday

Public Health Sudbury & Districts  198 new, 194 resolved Monday

Porcupine Health Unit  16 new Monday

Timiskaming Health Unit no update since April 19

OUTBREAKS

There are 10 active COVID-19 outbreaks in the Sudbury area, including two new ones declared Monday. A current list of outbreaks can be found here.

There are seven active COVID-19 outbreaks in the Algoma District. A current list can be found here.

There are 11 active outbreaks in the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit area. A current list can be found here.

There are three active outbreak in the Porcupine Health Unit area here.

There are five active outbreaks in the Timiskaming Health Unit area at Northview Nursing Home.

COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS

Health units in northeastern Ontario report hospitalizations differently. Some health units -- Algoma, North Bay/Parry Sound and Timiskaming -- report data from the Ontario's Bed Census Summary, which estimates hospitalizations for the entire region each day. Public Health Sudbury & Districts is now reporting hospitalizations for the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Porcupine Health Unit began reporting on hospitalizations in the Cochrane District on Feb. 7.

As of April 26 at 11 a.m., there are 41 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the area covered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts, including two in the intensive care unit (ICU). At Health Sciences North in Sudbury, the hospital reported at noon on Monday there were 52 COVID-19 patients admitted, including three in ICU. It is also caring for 47 patients who are no longer positive for the disease, three are in the ICU.

Porcupine Health Unit said April 26 there are 11 people hospitalized with COVID-19, with two in ICU. On Monday, there were also 23 hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in the Algoma area, including five in ICU, 29 COVID-related hospitalizations in the North Bay Parry Sound area and 15 in the Timiskaming District, none in the ICU.