COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update September 2, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, August 26, 2021, to Wednesday, September 1, 2021.

September 2, 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 1, 2021: 21 new cases were reported and 29 cases were resolved. To date, 13 of the 21 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). There were three active COVID-19 outbreaks this week. There were no COVID-related deaths. At end of day September 1, 2021, there were 35 active cases in our service area and 2 active outbreaks. There were 2 local cases in hospital, while the rest were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 285 local cases of which 2 250 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand and sixty-nine (1 069) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 193 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, just 19 cases (10%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 149 cases (77%) in unvaccinated residents, while 25 (13%) have occurred among those who have received one dose of vaccine. During that same period, there have been 7 local hospitalizations, all of which have been among those who are unvaccinated (5 cases, 71%) or partially vaccinated (2 cases, 29%).

Trends in the past seven days

• Of the 21 new cases in our service area, 13 were a close contact of confirmed case. 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. Six (6) cases were travel-related, while 2 had no known epidemiological link. None of the new cases were linked to an outbreak.
• Twenty (20) cases reported this week reside in Greater Sudbury, while 1 case resides in Manitoulin District.
• Between August 26 and September 1, Public Health identified 52 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 2.0 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 7.0 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 seven-day incidence rate was 10.6 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 17.6 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• The percent positivity was 0.7% for the period of August 25 to August 31, compared to 1.6% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of August 25 to August 31, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.29 for Northern Ontario, and 1.09 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 283 064 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 147 463 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 135 601 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. September 1, 2021). Note, this includes vaccines administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, primary care partners, and pharmacies.
• Over the last 7 days up to end of day September 1, 2021, a total of 2 651 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 83.9% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 83.2% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 77.2% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 76.6% 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

• To make the most of your university or college experience, from studying at the library with friends or attending small gatherings, consider getting both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated protects you and your friends.
• Are you wondering how to have a conversation with your child about the COVID-19 vaccine? Discussing the COVID-19 vaccine with your child is important, especially since children born in 2009 or earlier are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To find trusted information to help prompt a conversation, visit the Kids Health First
• You can help us achieve our goal of reaching 90% two-dose vaccination. A great way to increase local vaccination rates is to have conversations about vaccination with our friends and loved ones. Take a look at this conversation guide for more information.
• During COVID-19 children and youth may have been spending more time online. Parents and guardians can learn more about online risks and help their children navigate the internet safely with this online resource from the Government of Canada.
• Continue to be COVID-safe in the workplace. Practise personal protective measures and get vaccinated. Check-out the vaccine toolkit to find tools and resources for your workplace.

What’s new

• Public Health Sudbury & Districts is strongly recommending that employers put vaccination policies in place to protect their employees and the public from COVID-19. To support workplaces in adopting this recommendation, Public Health is distributing its Workplace Vaccine Policy Toolkit to all area employers and persons responsible for businesses to strengthen their COVID-19 workplace protection. See the Workplace Vaccine Policy Toolkit on phsd.ca.
• To provide extra protection against the Delta variant, third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available for vulnerable, elderly individuals living in high-risk congregate settings and certain individuals who are severely immunocompromised. For a list of who is eligible and how to receive a third dose, visit ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
• The Government of Ontario will launch an enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app to stop the spread of COVID-19. As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. For more information, read the full news release on news.ontario.ca.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, I hope that all parents, teachers, school staff, bus drivers, and students can have a restful and safe long weekend. This school year will have its own unique challenges as we once again start the year during the pandemic. However, unlike last year, we have a safe and effective vaccine that is readily available for all those who are eligible. We still need more people to roll up their sleeves to help us reach our goal of having 90% of eligible people in our area fully vaccinated. It is not too late to get the vaccine. Every dose administered will lessen the burden on our health care system. Making a personal decision about vaccination can be challenging given the constant stream of information from multiple sources. Please know that Public Health staff or your health care providers or pharmacists are always available to answer your questions and provide reliable, credible information about COVID-19 vaccines. Best wishes for a safe return to school next week!

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).