COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update September 23, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, September 16, 2021, to Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

September 23, 2021 — The following is a summary of how the status of COVID-19 has changed in Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ service area over the last seven days up to end of day September 22, 2021: 38 new cases were reported and 40 cases were resolved. To date, 25 of the 38 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). Five (5) COVID-19 outbreaks were active COVID-19 this week, including 3 in schools, 1 in a workplace and 1 in a community congregate setting. There were no COVID-related deaths. At end of day September 22, 2021, there were 50 active cases in our service area and 5 active outbreaks. There were no local cases in hospital.  All cases were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 392 local cases of which 2 342 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand, one hundred and fifty-three (1 153) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 300 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 42 cases (14%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 223 cases (74%) in unvaccinated residents, while 35 (12%) have occurred among those who have received one dose of vaccine. During that same period, there have been 8 local hospitalizations among unvaccinated (6 cases, 75%) and partially vaccinated (2 cases, 25%). Interpreting vaccine status data: please note that data on case counts by vaccination status are preliminary—and highly subject to change. Comparing cumulative numbers from week to week may lead to incorrect estimates of case counts by vaccination status for the previous 7 days.

Based on data from the last 14 days, the risk of contracting COVID-19 for unvaccinated residents of Sudbury and districts was 6.4 times the risk for fully vaccinated residents.

Recent Trends

• In the past 28 days, the overall incidence rate of COVID-19 in our area was 64.9 new cases per 100 000 population. Residents who were 20 to 29 years of age had the highest rate at 158.9 per 100 000 population. The rates among 0 to 19-year-olds (108.8 per 100 000) and 30 to 39-year-olds (73.9 per 100 000) were also higher than the overall rate in our area.  Rates among all other age groups were lower than the overall rate.
• The local incidence rate in the past 7 days was 19.1 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 19.6 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 38 new cases in our service area in the past week, 20 were a close contact of confirmed case and 10 were associated with an outbreak. This means that Public Health identified how these people were exposed to COVID-19 and was able to take quick action to prevent further spread. Two (2) cases were travel-related, while 6 had no known epidemiological link.
• Thirty-six (36) cases reported this week reside in Greater Sudbury, while 1 case resides in Sudbury North and 1 resides in Sudbury West. (Note: for information on the definition of these geographic regions, please refer to the daily COVID-19 case update at phsd.ca/COVID-19/data)
• Between September 16 and September 22, Public Health identified 801 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 21.0 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 9.0 high-risk close contacts per case reported last week. Public Health follows up directly and regularly with every high-risk close contact to monitor them for symptoms, ensure they are self-isolating (usually not required if fully vaccinated), and make recommendations for testing according to provincial guidance.
• The percent positivity was 1.1% for the period of September 15 to September 21, compared to 1.8% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of September 15 to September 21, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 0.96 for Northern Ontario, and 0.99 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 296 379 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 153 926 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 142 453 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. September 22, 2021). Note, this includes vaccines administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, primary care, and pharmacies.
• Over the last 7 days up to end of day September 22, 2021, a total of 3 288 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 87.6% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 85.5% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 81.1% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 79.6% of Ontarians of the same age.
• The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12+ in Sudbury and districts.

* Rates are based on 2020 population estimates from the Ministry of Finance to match provincial coverage calculations.

Stay COVID-safe

• Has it been a while since your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? Visit: phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to book your second dose as soon as possible. This provides you with strong protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that all pregnant individuals should get two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at any stage in pregnancy to protect themselves and their baby. For more information, visit our COVID-19 vaccine FAQ.
• When you are in an enclosed public space you are at greater risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Continue to follow personal protective measures (Government of Canada) like maintaining physical distancing and wearing a well-fitted and well-constructed face mask (Government of Canada).
• Learning strategies to counteract the stress response is a valuable life skill during a pandemic. You can learn and practise (School Mental Health Ontario) fun and easy strategies with your kids like snowstorm in a bag, emotions charades, four finger affirmation, notice the positive, and many more, to support your child’s mental health.

What’s new

• The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that from December 14, 2020, to August 28, 2021, 0.08% of fully vaccinated people became infected with COVID-19, with the majority of recent cases and hospitalizations occurring in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people. In recent weeks (August 1 – 28) the average weekly rate of new COVID-19 cases in unvaccinated people was 11 times higher than in the fully vaccinated. During that same time frame, the average weekly rate of hospitalized cases in unvaccinated people was 39 times higher compared to fully vaccinated people.
• A reminder, as of Wednesday September 22, you must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to access certain indoor businesses and settings. Learn where you will need to show proof of vaccination, and how to get and use your vaccine receipt at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/proof-covid-19-vaccination.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

We are once again seeing COVID-19 cases rise locally. While this is unfortunate, it is not surprising given the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant. We have had cases of COVID-19 reported in schools and cases associated with social gatherings. The way to protect in-person learning is to keep cases as low as possible in our community and with the transition to colder months and spending more time indoors, we have to pay more attention to preventing spread. Vaccination is still our best defense. Locally, since June 1, over 80% of cases have been in those who are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated. The Public Health Agency of Canada has also reported that the majority of recent cases and hospitalizations in Canada are occurring in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people. If you are considering getting vaccinated but have questions, please reach out to trusted health care providers or speak with Public Health staff at our clinics.

Regular updates

Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/data for regular updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, as well as outbreaks and potential exposures in Greater Sudbury, the Sudbury District, and the Manitoulin District. A detailed epidemiology summary is posted on Monday that includes information about cases over time, case characteristics, probable exposures, case outcomes, testing, and outbreaks in facilities. In addition, a detailed vaccination report is produced on Tuesdays that includes information about vaccine administration over time, by regions, by brand, by dose and by age groups. The report also provides additional context by comparing our data to Ontario.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).