COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update February 17, 2022
Issued: Thursday, February 17, 2022Reporting period: Thursday, February 10, 2022, to Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
February 17, 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 February 16, 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, 460 new cases were reported, and 646 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. Twenty-five (25) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 7 in congregate living settings, 7 in long-term care homes, 9 in hospitals, and 1 each in a retirement home and a correctional facility. There were 14 outbreaks declared over in the past week, including 9 in hospitals, 4 in congregate living settings, and 1 in a long-term care home. There were 8 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day February 16, 2022, there were 415 known active cases in our service area and 11 active outbreaks.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 10 558 known cases locally, of which 10 143 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 103 people in our service area.
Provincial data indicate that between December 30, 2021, and January 28, 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 1.8 times that of someone with 2 doses and 2.0 times that of someone with 3 doses. Further, their risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 2.7 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 4.3 times that of someone with 3 doses.
Recent Trends
- On February 15, there were 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 24 of which had been admitted due to COVID. Six (6) of these patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU), 3 of which were on a ventilator. Seven (7) days prior, on February 9, there were 48 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 29 of which had been admitted due to COVID, with 11 in the ICU and 5 on a ventilator. (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 231 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 302 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
- Of the 460 cases reported this week, 70 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 164 were age 20 to 39, while 116 cases were age 40 to 59. Seventy-three (73) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 37 were 80 years of age or older.
- Of the 460 cases reported this week, 370 reside in Greater Sudbury while 50 reside in Manitoulin district, 13 in Sudbury North, 17 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 12.9% for the period of February 9 to 15, 2022, compared to 9.6% for the previous 7 days.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, a total of 438 624 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 174 109 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 165 116 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 97 669 people has received a third dose including 57.6% of residents aged 18 and over. A total of 1 730 people has received a fourth dose (current as of 4 p.m., February 16, 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, February 16, 2022, a total of 2 689 vaccine doses were administered.
- Overall, 91.6% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 92.4% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
- Second doses have been received by 88.9% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 90.2% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
- Overall, 88.8% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 89.5% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
- Second doses have been received by 84.2% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 85.1% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
- Of the total population of Sudbury and districts, 84.8% have received their first dose and 80.4% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 40 000 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.
| Age Group | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 % Coverage | Dose 3 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05-11 | 54.0% | 25.5% | 0.0% |
| 12-17 | 86.3% | 82.2% | 2.4% |
| 18-29 | 84.1% | 80.1% | 31.6% |
| 30-39 | 88.7% | 84.5% | 39.0% |
| 40-49 | 89.0% | 86.2% | 48.6% |
| 50-59 | 88.2% | 86.4% | 59.3% |
| 60-69 | 97.9% | 96.7% | 77.4% |
| 70-79 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 88.9% |
| 80 + | 100.0% | 100.0% | 88.8% |
Stay COVID-safe
- This family day long weekend, find ways to celebrate by being COVID-safe. Limit the size of social gatherings to no more than 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors and seek vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccines (Government of Ontario) are safe, effective, and when layered with other public health measures is the best way to help protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from the spread of COVID-19.
- Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age? Check-out https://www.parenthomework.ca. The parent homework is a reliable source to learn about COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11.
- Starting tomorrow, individuals 12 years of age and older can book an appointment for a booster dose six months (168 days) or 3 months (84 days) with informed consent after receiving a second dose. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
- The pandemic has impacted our mental and physical health. Bring awareness to what has happened and how you are doing. Begin a path to nurture, nourish and replenish yourself. What does that look like for you: a good meal with a friend, heart-focused breathing, a nature walk or maybe reaching out a to counsellor from Wellness Together Canada for free support.
What’s new
- Starting today, Thursday, February 17, Ontario is moving to the next phase of reopening (Ontario Government) as it cautiously and gradually continues to ease public health measures.
- Starting Friday, February 18, youth aged 12 to 17 in Ontario will be eligible to get their booster dose. They are eligible for their booster doses approximately six months (168 days) after their second dose or 3 months (84 days) after the second dose with informed consent.
- With signals of hope, Public Health is moving ahead with post-pandemic recovery plans–mapping a path to COVID-19 recovery and resilience.
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
Today, Ontario moves to the next phase of provincial reopening, where public health measures are being cautiously eased. While these developments bring back a much-needed sense of normalcy, we must remember that it’s not yet quite the time to fully let our guard down. Collectively, we have worked so hard and sacrificed so much, all with the aim of protecting ourselves and our community from COVID-19. It has been a long 23 months, but with the virus still circulating locally, practical personal protective measures – like masking and staying home when ill – as part of our daily routines will keep us on this successful path. To that end, we are excited to share that Public Health is moving ahead and planning for recovery. Over the course of the pandemic, most public health programs and services were temporarily paused so we could redirect staff to protect our communities from COVID-19. As we take these first steps toward recovery, we are signalling hope and a brighter future ahead. Our Public Health Sudbury & Districts and the COVID-19 Pandemic: From risk to recovery and resilience report highlights priorities for Public Health action to support local healthy communities and reduce the growing backlog of services and unmet needs of the people we serve. Public Health Sudbury & Districts is an active partner in the local recovery endeavour, and through collective efforts with partners, our commitment is to create and contribute to strong and resilient post-pandemic communities.
Regular updates
The COVID-19 case, vaccine, and testing data update scheduled for Monday, February 21, 2022, will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, on account of the Family Day holiday.
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).