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

Reporting period: Thursday, August 12, 2021, to Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

August 19, 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 August 18, 2021: 26 new cases were reported and 18 cases were resolved. To date, 18 of the 26 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). There were no COVID-related deaths this week. At end of day August 18, 2021, there were 26 active cases in our service area and one active outbreak. The cases were self-isolating. There were 5 new local cases in hospital.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 231 local cases of which 2 205 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand and thirty-one (1 031) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Trends in the past seven days

• Of the 26 new cases in our service area, 12 were a close contact of confirmed case, 4 were travel-related, one had no known epidemiological link, and one case is currently under investigation. 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. Eight cases were linked to an outbreak.
• Sixteen (16) cases reported this week reside in Greater Sudbury, 8 cases reside in Manitoulin District, and 2 cases reside in Sudbury District.
• Between August 12 and August 18, Public Health identified 80 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 3.1 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 2.8 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 13.1 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 10.1 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• The percent positivity was 0.71% for the period of August 11 to August 17, compared to 0.75% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of August 11 to August 17, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.0 for Northern Ontario, and 1.3 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

NEW: Vaccination coverage rates are now being reported for the population 12+ instead of 18+.

• To date, a total of 275 937 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 144 512 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 131 425 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. August 18, 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 August 18, 2021, a total of 2 962 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 82.3% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 81.9% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 74.8% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 74.2% 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 now based on 2020 population projections from the Ministry of Finance (2018) to match provincial coverage calculations.

Stay COVID-safe

• Ready to hang out with friends and get back to school? Students should get their second dose before returning to school. If a first dose is still needed, get it as soon as possible. You need to wait at least 21 days between getting your first dose and your second dose. Learn more about clinics at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
• Did you know that many post-secondary institutions are making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory? Check with your school to learn about their policies for return to campus. Remember, your body will need at least 2 weeks to develop a good immune response. Attend a walk-in, pop-up, or mobile clinic.
• COVID-19 has been a challenging time for many. Wellness Together Canada (wellnesstogether.ca) offers well-being and coping tools for youth. Remember, you are not alone. Reach out to connect.
• Be COVID-safe in the workplace! Everyone must continue to actively screen for COVID-19 (Government of Ontario) before going to work each day, even if you have been vaccinated. Learn more about screening to help reduce COVID-19 transmission (Government of Ontario).
• Did you know that you are only considered “fully vaccinated” 14 days after your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? This is because it takes time for your body to build an immune response. Your body will be able to fight the virus well, about 2 weeks after you have received both doses. The vaccine against COVID-19 continues to be our best defense against COVID-19 and the variants. All COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness leading to hospitalization or death. Get your second dose for longer and stronger protection.

What’s new

• As of August 18, youth born in 2009 (youth turning 12 years old before the end of 2021) are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and will protect students and the school community.
• Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a directive mandating hospitals and home and community care service providers to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees, staff, contractors, students and volunteers, and for ambulance services to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for paramedics. Individuals who do not provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will be required to undertake regular antigen testing.
• The Ministry of Education intends to introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly funded school board employees, and staff in private schools as well as for all staff in licensed child care settings for the 2021–22 school year, with rapid antigen testing requirements for staff who are not immunized against COVID-19.
• Public health units are working with the Ontario government and publicly funded school boards to run voluntary vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to make vaccines even more convenient and accessible for eligible students, their families, educators, and school staff returning to school this fall.
• Third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to those at highest-risk, providing them with an extra layer of protection against the Delta variant. Severely immunocompromised individuals may receive their third dose at minimum eight weeks following their second dose. Vulnerable elderly individuals in long-term care and elder care lodges may receive their third dose at minimum five months following their second dose. Planning discussions are underway with acute care partners to determine how and when health care providers will notify eligible patients. Eligible patients will be informed when and where they can receive their third dose. For more information, read the full news release on news.ontario.ca.
• The Government of Ontario is pausing the exit from the Roadmap to Reopen. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts will continue to monitor the data to determine when it is safe to exit the Roadmap and lift the majority of public health and workplace safety measures currently in place.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

This week’s announcement from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health about additional COVID-19 policies and preparing for a difficult fall and winter is not the news we wanted to hear, but it is not surprising. Previous vaccine planning targets to achieve herd immunity as well as to exit Step 3 of the provincial roadmap were not based on the presence of the aggressive Delta variant. Over a month ago, we issued a challenge to all residents to help us achieve 90% vaccine coverage. With the fall season and upcoming school year quickly approaching, it is critical that we increase our two-dose vaccine coverage as much as possible to minimize the impact of a fourth wave in our communities. If you have not received your vaccine yet, it is not too late. Please encourage your family and friends to get their shot or to speak with their health care provider or our staff if they have questions.

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 on Monday 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).