COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update March 10, 2022

Reporting period: Thursday, March 3, 2022, to Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

March 10, 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 March 9, 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, 424 new cases were reported, and 531 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. Nineteen (19) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 8 in congregate living settings, 5 in long-term care homes, 5 in hospitals and 1 in a retirement home. There were 7 outbreaks declared over in the past week, 2 in long-term care homes, 3 in congregate living settings and 1 each in a hospital and a retirement home. There were 2 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day March 9, 2022, there were 400 known active cases in our service area and 12 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 12 025 known cases locally, of which 11 625 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 111 people in our service area. Of these, COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death in 84 cases, and a contributing factor but not the underlying cause of death in 27 cases.

Provincial data indicate that between January 27, 2021, and February 25, 2022, the risk of an individual who is unvaccinated, or who only has 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 was 2.5 times that of someone with 2 doses and 3.1 times that of someone with 3 doses. Further, their risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 2.8 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 5.1 times that of someone with 3 doses.

Recent Trends

• On March 8, there were 64 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 27 of whom had been admitted due to COVID with the remaining 37 being admitted for other reasons but having tested positive for COVID-19. Three (3) of the patients admitted due to COVID were in the intensive care unit (ICU). Seven (7) days prior, on March 2, there were 63 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 22 of whom had been admitted due to COVID. Seven (7) of the patients who had been admitted due to COVID were in the ICU. (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 213 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 270 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days. In Ontario, there were a total of 10 038 cases reported over the past 7 days, which equates to a rate of 68 cases per 100 000 population.
• Of the 424 cases reported this week, 42 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 147 were age 20 to 39, while 116 cases were age 40 to 59.  Seventy-three (73) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 45 were 80 years of age or older.  The age of 1 case was unknown at the time of reporting.
• Of the 424 cases reported this week, 362 reside in Greater Sudbury while 44 reside in Manitoulin district, 10 in Sudbury North, 24 in Sudbury West, and 7 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 11.1% for the period of March 2 to March 8, 2022 compared to 9.0% in Ontario overall.  In the previous 7-day period, the local percent positivity rate was 12.6% and the Ontario rate was 9.2%.
• The 7-day average testing rate for the period of March 2 to March 8, 2022 was 1.9 tests per 1 000 population compared to 0.7 per 1 000 for Ontario overall. In the previous 7-day period, the local 7-day average testing rate was 2.7 per 1 000 compared to 1.1 per 1 000 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 442 988 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 174 495 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 166 506 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 99 918 people have received a third dose including 55.0% of residents aged 12 and over. A total of 2 069 people have received a fourth dose (current as of end of day, March 9, 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, March 9, 2022, a total of 934 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 91.8% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 92.7% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 89.2% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 90.7% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Overall, 89.0% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 89.8% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 84.9% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 86.0% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Of the total population of Sudbury and districts, 85.0% have received their first dose and 81.1% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 38 000 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.

* Fluctuations in coverage rate by age group are expected to become more frequent moving forward as the number of vaccines administered each day becomes smaller. These fluctuations are due to routine adjustments in dose entry data in COVax and due to a correction made to the age calculation method on March 7, 2022.

Stay COVID-safe

• Activate your March Break by getting out, getting active, and getting vaccinated! We are pleased to announce many vaccination opportunities near local trails and skating paths for children and their families to enjoy this March Break. Check out our website for more information about upcoming vaccination opportunities.
• With easing provincial public health measures, we could also see an increase in COVID-19 transmission in the weeks ahead. To protect yourself and those around you, make sure to get your first AND second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and get a booster dose if you are eligible. It is important to continue exercising caution as we carefully get back to more in-person activities indoors and in larger gatherings. In addition to getting vaccinated, continue applying layers of protection (PDF), such as wearing a well-fitted mask, practising physical distancing, washing your hands, and staying home when sick.
• Getting a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine strengthens your body’s immune response and increases your protection. A booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine offers an extra layer of protection against the virus and will keep you from getting very sick. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
• March Break is around the corner. If possible, make the most of this time to restore, recover, and have fun with your family. What does your family love to do? Maybe you’d like to stay in your PJs all day and have a dance party or perhaps borrow snowshoes from the Greater Sudbury Public Library and go explore a walking trail. Cooking together or crafting with simple household stuff like tissue boxes and toilet paper rolls is always fun, or maybe have a family game night full of laughter. Smile, enjoy the week, and give your physical and mental health a boost!

What’s new

• Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to offer many opportunities for COVID-19 vaccination. Further, as of Monday, March 7, 2022, publicly funded immunization services are resuming in a phased approach. This follows the agency’s pause on many of these services due to the two-year pandemic response. Public Health is now ramping up to provide this important service as part of Public Health’s recovery efforts.
• On Wednesday, March 9, the Ontario Government updated the isolation requirements for COVID-19, effective immediately. Isolation remains an important tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and full details are available at ontario.ca/exposed. As previously required, you must isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus. Now, however, isolation is not required if you live with someone who has COVID-19 or has symptoms and you yourself have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or you are 18 years or older and have received a booster dose, or you are under 18 and you have been fully vaccinated. Individuals do not need to isolate if they have been exposed to someone from another household who has symptoms or is COVID-19 positive. If not isolating, you must still monitor for symptoms, wear a mask and not visit anyone at higher risk of illness or highest risk settings for 10 days since your exposure.
• With continued improvement in trends, the Ontario Government has announced that beginning Monday, March 21, 2022, wearing a mask will only be required for public transit, in long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings, including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Federal masking requirements for returning travellers are still in place.
• The Class Order dated February 10, 2022, has been rescinded by the Medical Officer of Health effective March 10, 2022. For details on self-isolation requirements that apply to those who have tested positive for COVID-19, have symptoms, or are a household member or close contact of a person who tested positive or a person with symptoms, visit ontario.ca/exposed.
• Due to next week’s March Break, there will be no Weekly Update published on March 17, 2022. Public Health is currently reviewing reporting practices for the Weekly Update and any changes will be communicated in the near future. For regular updates, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/data.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

Our collective response to COVID-19 has required us to tap into personal resources we might not have imagined we had. Collectively, we have been innovative, compassionate, resilient, and determined. Getting to this point has not been easy, but now more than ever, we know what we need to do to stay safe. Today, March 10, 2022, marks two years since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in our service area. Since that time, we have learned much and have the tools we need to take charge and maximize our own protection and that of our loved ones. Being fully vaccinated and getting our COVID-19 boosters, as well as staying home when ill and deciding to mask in crowded indoor spaces remain strong protectors. As announced this week by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Moore, provincial requirements for masking in many settings will be removed March 21, and the requirements for self-isolation following a potential exposure to COVID-19 have been loosened, effective immediately. While the pandemic is not over, we are transitioning to another phase. Instead of provincial requirements, most people will be expected to make decisions and choices that are best for their own circumstances. This transition will be bumpy as people’s circumstances are all different. Public Health will continue to be there for area residents, families, and communities and I know that collectively, we will tap into our reserves of mutual respect, kindness, and patience as we navigate this next phase of our pandemic journey together.

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).