COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update March 24, 2022

IMPORTANT: This will be the last Weekly Update issued by Public Health Sudbury & Districts. Regular reporting of COVID-19 data, including vaccination coverage rates, is available at phsd.ca/COVID-19/data. In addition to our regular reports for data related to vaccination, testing, and cases, our weekly detailed epidemiology summary and detailed vaccination report continue to offer regular updates. We are further assessing our public reporting of COVID-19 data as the pandemic evolves and we remain committed to keeping our communities informed of any changes.

Reporting period: Thursday, March 10, 2022, to Wednesday, March 23, 2022. *Note that the following reports contain two weeks’ worth of data, as there was no Weekly Update published on March 17, 2022.

March 24, 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 fourteen days up to end of day March 23, 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 14 days, 633 new cases were reported, and 738 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. Fourteen (14) COVID-19 outbreaks were active in the past 2 weeks, including 6 in congregate living settings, 5 in hospitals, and 4 in long-term care homes. There were 9 outbreaks declared over in the past 2 weeks, 2 in long-term care homes, 5 in congregate living settings and 2 in hospitals. There were 12 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day March 23, 2022, there were 290 known active cases in our service area and 5 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 12 653 known cases locally, of which 11 625 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 123 people in our service area. Of these, COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death in 89 cases, and a contributing factor but not the underlying cause of death in 32 cases.

Provincial data indicate that between February 3 and March 4, 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 2.6 times that of someone with 2 doses and 2.8 times that of someone with 3 doses. Further, their risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 3.6 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 4.3 times that of someone with 3 doses.

Recent Trends

• On March 22, there were 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 8 of whom had been admitted due to COVID with the remaining 22 being admitted for other reasons but having tested positive for COVID-19. One (1) of the patients admitted due to COVID were in the intensive care unit (ICU). Fourteen (14) days prior, on March 8, there were 65 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 27 of whom had been admitted due to COVID. Three (3) 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 average local incidence rate of reported COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days was 159 new cases per 100 000 population per week, compared to 212 cases per 100 000 per week in the previous 7 days. In Ontario, there were a total of 21 709 cases reported over the past 14 days, which equates to an average rate of 74 cases per 100 000 population per week.
• Of the 633 cases reported in the past 2 weeks, 72 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 236 were age 20 to 39, while 200 cases were age 40 to 59. Ninety-one (91) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 33 were 80 years of age or older. The age of 1 case was unknown at the time of reporting.
• Of the 633 cases reported in the past 2 weeks, 524 reside in Greater Sudbury while 50 reside in Manitoulin district, 18 in Sudbury North, 31 in Sudbury West, and 10 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 11.8% for the period of March 9 to March 22, 2022 compared to 11.9% in Ontario overall. In the period 7 days prior, the local percent positivity rate was 11.7% and the Ontario rate was 10.2%.
• The average testing rate for the period of March 9 to March 22, 2022 was 1.6 tests per 1 000 population per day compared to 0.8 per 1 000 per day for Ontario overall. In the previous 7-day period, the local average testing rate was 2.3 tests per 1 000 population per day compared to 0.9 per 1 000 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 444 606 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 174 634 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 166 986 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 100 707 people have received a third dose including 55.5% of residents aged 12 and over. A total of 2 279 people have received a fourth dose (current as of end of day, March 23, 2022). Note, this includes vaccines administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, primary care, pharmacies, and external authorities.
• Over the last 14 days up to end of day Wednesday, March 23, 2022, a total of 1 523 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 91.9% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 92.8% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 89.4% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 90.9% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Overall, 89.1% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 89.9% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 85.2% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 86.3% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Of the total population of Sudbury and districts, 85.1% have received their first dose and 81.4% 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

• Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to strongly recommend the use of masking and practising physical distancing to protect against COVID-19 infection. Individuals must continue to wear a well-fitted mask, in all public settings, for 10 days after the start of COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result and for 10 days if they are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Visit the Government of Ontario’s face covering and face mask webpage for more information.
• Have you travelled outside of Canada over the March Break? For 14 days following travel outside of Canada, individuals must wear a well-fitted mask that covers the nose, mouth, and chin in all public settings.
• The pandemic is not over yet and during this transition phase, it is important to follow personal protective measures. Being fully vaccinated, including a booster dose (if eligible), remains a very strong protector. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
• As we continue to navigate changes related to the pandemic be mindful of your mental health. Be kind to yourself and to others by offering support and being respectful of their choices. If you’re emotions are overwhelming and persist, please seek support from someone you trust or from a professional.

What’s new

• The Government of Ontario has introduced a Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line to help answer questions about COVID-19 testing and isolation guidance. The service is available at 1.888.777.0730 (toll-free) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Sunday.
• Starting the week of March 28, Public Health will publish COVID-19 vaccine data once per week on Wednesdays, instead of daily, Monday to Friday. This data reports vaccinations administered to residents of Sudbury and districts, including vaccinations administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, hospitals, primary care partners, and other partners such as pharmacies. Testing and COVID-19 case data will continue to be updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• The City of Greater Sudbury, in partnership with the Health Sciences North Research Institute, is monitoring levels of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants with a wastewater surveillance program that tests sewage from the Kelly Lake Wastewater Treatment Site which provides wastewater treatment processes for approximately 96 000 residents in Greater Sudbury. Data for those living in other areas of Sudbury and anyone living outside of the City of Greater Sudbury is not currently included in this surveillance project. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/data for more information and to learn more. Visit the City of Greater Sudbury’s website for monitoring results.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

As we enter a transition phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, please continue to do your part to limit transmission and keep each other safe, especially those most vulnerable among us and those who care for them. It is clear from the numbers reported in this update that COVID-19 is still circulating widely in our communities. A large shift in Ontario’s pandemic response occurred this week with the lifting of masking requirements in most indoor settings across the province. This change has led to some uncertainty and anxieties and at the same time, has also made people feel more hopeful about a return to normal. Everyone is asked to make decisions that are right for them, based on their circumstances, risks, and comfort. Everyone is also asked to respect the decisions of others as we navigate this change together. From a public health perspective, I continue to strongly recommend wearing a well-fitted mask or face covering, practising physical distancing, and staying home when you’re sick to prevent further spread of the virus. It’s also not too late to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The pandemic is not over, and as Public Health starts to focus on recovery efforts, we remain committed to managing COVID-19. We are also reassessing our public reporting of COVID-19-related data and will keep everyone informed as changes are implemented. The last two years have been extremely difficult, and I want to express my appreciation and gratitude. It is my hope that as the weather warms, all residents of the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts take time to focus on their well-being and continue to keep one another healthy and 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).