COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update January 27, 2022

Reporting period: Thursday, January 20, 2022, to Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

January 27, 2022 — 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 January 26, 2022.  Please note that as of December 31, 2021, eligibility for publicly funded PCR testing is limited to people who are associated with highest risk settings or who are at high risk of severe disease if they become infected. Counts of new and active cases therefore underestimate the true number of people with COVID-19 in Sudbury and districts. As of December 31, 2021, positive rapid antigen tests associated with highest risk setting outbreaks are included in case counts.

In the past 7 days, 733 new cases were reported, and 989 known cases were resolved. Note that routine screening for variants of concern (VOC) was discontinued by the province on December 30, 2021.  However, it is likely that a large majority of the cases reported this week are the Omicron variant. Thirty-five (35) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 15 in congregate living settings, 6 in long-term care homes, 10 in hospitals, 2 in retirement homes, and 2 in correctional facilities. There were 11 outbreaks declared over in the past week, including 6 in congregate living settings, 2 each in hospitals and retirement homes, and 1 in a long-term care home. There were 7 COVID-19-related deaths. (Note: in addition to these deaths, Public Health reported 11 other additional COVID-19-related deaths this week that had occurred in previous weeks). At end of day January 26, 2022, there were 718 known active cases in our service area and 24 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 8 970 known cases locally, of which 8 252 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 80 people in our service area.

Provincial data indicate that between December 9, 2021, and January 7, 2022, the risk of an unvaccinated individual being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 was 3.6 times that of someone with 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 2.7 times that of a someone with 2 doses, and 2.8 times that of someone with 3 doses. Further, their risk of currently being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 4.5 times that of someone with 1 dose, 4.5 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 7.2 times that of someone with 3 doses.

Recent Trends

• On January 25, there were 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 29 of which had been admitted due to COVID. Twelve (12) of these patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU), 5 of which were on a ventilator. Seven (7) days prior, on January 18, there were 53 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 30 of which had been admitted due to COVID, with 4 in the ICU and 1 on a ventilator. (Note: these numbers may include residents of other geographic areas admitted to local hospitals).
• The local incidence rate of reported COVID-19 cases in the past 7 days was 368 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 469 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 733 cases reported this week, 60 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 279 were age 20 to 39, while 176 cases were age 40 to 59.  One-hundred and twenty-six (126) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 92 were 80 years of age or older.
• Of the 733 cases reported this week, 637 reside in Greater Sudbury while 52 reside in Manitoulin district, 11 in Sudbury North, 19 in Sudbury West, and 14 in Sudbury East. (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).
• The percent positivity was 11.5% for the period of January 18 to January 24, 2022, compared to 12.8% for the previous 7 days.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 424 773 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 172 833 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 161 355 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 89 706 people have received a third dose including 52.9% of residents aged 18 and over. A total of 879 people have received a fourth dose (current as of 4 p.m., January 26, 2022). Note, this includes vaccines administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, primary care, pharmacies, and external authorities.
• Over the last 7 days up to end of day Wednesday, January 26, 2022, a total of 6 738 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 91.1% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 91.7% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 88.2% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 89.0% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Overall, 88.1% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 88.7% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 82.3% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 83.1% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• 84.2% of the total population of Sudbury and districts have received their first dose and 78.6% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 43 000 residents who are not currently fully immunized.
• The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12 and over in Sudbury and districts.

Stay COVID-safe

• Do you or a member of your household have symptoms of COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)? If yes, stay home and self-isolate. By staying home, you protect others from getting COVID-19. If you have children that have symptoms of COVID-19, take the COVID-19 self-assessment tool to help determine what to do next.
• Are you eligible and still not sure about getting a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? It is highly recommended you get your booster dose as soon as possible for greater protection against COVID-19 and its variants. The vaccines are interchangeable and a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
• Make your child’s vaccination appointment a positive one. When attending a community vaccination clinic, make sure they’ve had something to eat or drink before their appointment, ensure they wear a loose-fitted top, and don’t forget to bring something to comfort and distract them. Check out our child and youth vaccine toolkit for more information to help you get your child ready for their appointment.
• Is the cold weather giving you the winter blues? Cold, grey, snowy days can lead to less energy and a lower mood. It certainly does not help that the COVID-19 pandemic has been very stressful for everyone. The good news is that physical activity while outdoors can help lift your spirits and increase energy. Bundle up and get active outdoors (Participaction).

What’s new

• Public Health Sudbury & Districts has updated routine reporting of COVID-19 case-related data to align with the new provincial COVID-19 testing eligibility requirements (PDF, Ontario Ministry of Health). Case, hospitalization, and testing data will be updated online every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays). Vaccine related data reporting will continue Monday through Friday at 4 p.m.
• In the coming days, individuals who are eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may receive an automated call from Public Health Sudbury & Districts encouraging them to book an appointment. This recorded call is legitimate and will clearly indicate that the message is from Public Health Sudbury & Districts, along with helpful information on booking an appointment or how to reschedule an existing appointment to an earlier date.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

Two years ago, on January 25, 2020, Ontario announced the first case of COVID-19 in the province. Over this period of time, we have faced many challenges as we learned about the virus and have had to continually adjust our approaches to respond to the pandemic. Most recently, Public Health has shifted course to align case and contact management with Omicron surge provincial guidance, with a focus on vulnerable individuals and highest risk settings. As the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, anyone with symptoms should consider themselves infected and must tell their close contacts and follow the steps at ontario.ca/exposed. Getting vaccinated—especially with a booster dose if eligible—will provide protection against the virus and, in particular, reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. If you already got your booster, you’ve taken the right step. If you have been waiting to get a booster, now is the time to attend one of the many vaccination opportunities offered throughout Sudbury and districts. Further, I remain optimistic about the gradual approach to exit the modified step 2 of the provincial roadmap on Monday; however, we will review the specific details of the provincial regulations and continue to actively assess the need for any additional local measures. I must stress once again the importance of continuing to follow public health measures. No single measure is 100% effective. We don’t know when or where we may encounter the virus, so always use as many layers of protection as possible to stay COVID-safe.

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 Tuesday 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).