COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update May 20, 2021
Issued: Thursday, May 20, 2021Reporting period: Thursday, May 13, 2021, to Wednesday, May 19, 2021.
May 20, 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 May 19, 2021: 29 new cases, and 64 cases were resolved. There was 1 COVID-related death. Fifteen (15) new cases screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which is 52% of the cases reported in this period. Five (5) outbreaks were active in the past week, including 2 in workplaces and 1 each in a hospital, a correctional facility and a congregate living setting. One (1) outbreak in a correctional facility was declared over in the past 7 days. At end of day May 19, 2021, there were 48 active cases in our service area, and 4 active outbreaks. Four (4) cases were hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 061 local cases of which 2 013 are resolved, and 29 people have died in our service area. Eight-hundred and ninety-two (892) have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC).
Trends in the past seven days
- Of the 29 new cases in our service area, 4 were associated with an outbreak, while 17 were close contacts of confirmed cases. 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 the source of exposure was unknown for 6 cases.
- Twenty-four (24) cases reside in Greater Sudbury, while 4 reside in the Sudbury District and 1 resides in Manitoulin District.
- Contact tracing information was available for all cases reported from May 13 to May 19. Through our investigation, we identified 110 people who had high-risk close contacts with these cases. That is an average of 4 high-risk close contacts per case, compared to 2 contacts per case in the previous 7 days. Public Health follows up directly and regularly with every high-risk close contact to monitor them for symptoms, ensure they are self-isolating, and make recommendations for testing according to provincial guidance.
- The seven-day incidence rate was 14.6 new cases per 100 000 population (compared to 23.6 for the previous 7 days).
- The percent positivity was 1.28% for the period of May 11 to May 17 (compared to 1.46% for the previous 7 days).
- For the period of May 12 to May 18, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.0 for Northern Ontario, and 0.9 for Ontario overall.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered a total of 103 014 doses to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 91 772 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 11 242 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. May 19, 2021).
- Over the last seven days up to end of day May 19, 2021, a total of 6 112 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Overall, 57.1% of Sudbury and district residents aged 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 58.5% for all Ontario residents aged 18+.
- Second doses have been received by 7.0% of those aged 18+ in Sudbury and Districts compared to 3.9% of Ontarians of same age.
- The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for adults 40+ in Sudbury and districts.
| Age Group | Dose 1 Count | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 Count | Dose 2 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 + | 10 467 | 100.0% | 2 108 | 22.4% |
| 75-79 | 7 429 | 100.0% | 679 | 10.1% |
| 70-74 | 10 060 | 100.0% | 999 | 11.1% |
| 65-69 | 11 695 | 94.1% | 1 118 | 9.0% |
| 60-64 | 12 675 | 89.6% | 1 244 | 8.8% |
| 55-59 | 9 255 | 57.1% | 902 | 0.8% |
| 50-54 | 7 342 | 44.9% | 626 | 3.9% |
| 45-49 | 5 146 | 39.8% | 658 | 4.0% |
| 40-44 | 4 581 | 38.3% | 513 | 4.0% |
* Rates are based on 2016 census populations and may over-represent actual vaccine coverage.
Stay COVID-safe
- Victoria Day long weekend is almost here! Remember that the provincewide stay-at-home order remains in effect. Stay COVID-safe: spend time in person only with members of your household, keep 2 metres from people you do not live with, wear a face covering, avoid gathering with anyone you do not live with, even outdoors.
- Remember, gatherings can have a huge ripple effect. Individual actions can lead to the spread of COVID-19 at home and in the workplace. One action, one decision, from you, can help stop the spread. Whether at work, or not, take steps to stay COVID-safe all the time.
- Many of us deeply value the character strengths of kindness and gratitude. Understanding and applying these strengths is good for our health and wellbeing. Next time you are out running essential errands be COVID-kind and share a THANK YOU with essential workers. Learn more about your strengths at https://www.viacharacter.org/
- Worried about getting sick with COVID-19? The vaccine can help. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing symptomatic illness. Learn more about the effectiveness of the vaccine by visiting our FAQ page and book your vaccine appointment today.
What’s new
- Individuals 18 years of age and older in 2021 (born in 2003 or earlier) became eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday, May 18.
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts started offering a COVID-19 vaccination standby list for any remaining doses at the end of each clinic day. The standby list is only for individuals who are currently eligible and have not yet received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit phsd.ca for more information, and to add your name to the COVID-19 vaccination standby list.
- Certain high-risk health care workers (Government of Ontario) became eligible to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at an interval shorter than four months as of Saturday, May 15. Only eligible high-risk health care workers who are scheduled for clinics that are being rebooked with the shorter second dose interval will receive a call or email with updated vaccine clinic appointments. If you were part of one of these clinics and do not hear from us about rebooking by May 20, please call the booking centre to be put on a waitlist.
- Starting today, COVID-19 related deaths will only be reported in the daily 4 p.m. online update, which also includes all other case-related data. For all case information reported publicly, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/data
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
The Victoria Day long weekend is a sign that summer is just around the corner and that is truly something to look forward to. With more vaccine rolling out locally and a steady decline in cases we are heading in the right direction. However, we have seen spikes in cases following long weekends and holidays, so please consider the impact that your actions have. It would be very unfortunate if we were to undue the progress that we have made. Now that vaccine eligibility is open to anyone who will be 18 years of age or older this year and a standby list option is available, there are more opportunities to get the vaccine than ever before. If you have not booked your appointment already, I encourage you to do so. Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.
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. In addition, a detailed epidemiology summary is posted Mondays and Thursdays that includes information about cases over time, case characteristics, probable exposures, case outcomes, testing, and outbreaks in facilities.
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).