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

Reporting period: Thursday, February 17, 2022, to Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

February 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 seven days up to end of day February 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 7 days, 521 new cases were reported, and 472 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. Sixteen (16) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 6 in congregate living settings, 7 in long-term care homes, and 1 each in a hospital, a retirement home and a correctional facility. There were 3 outbreaks declared over in the past week, 2 in long-term care homes and 1 in a congregate living setting. There were 3 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day February 23, 2022, there were 460 known active cases in our service area and 13 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 11 075 known cases locally, of which 10 615 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 106 people in our service area.

Provincial data indicate that between January 6, 2021, and February 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 1.8 times that of someone with 2 doses and 2.3 times that of someone with 3 doses. Further, their risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 2.5 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 4.6 times that of someone with 3 doses.

Recent Trends

• On February 22, there were 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 17 of which had been admitted due to COVID. Four (4) of these patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU), 6 of which were on a ventilator. Seven (7) days prior, on February 15, there were 46 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 24 of which had been admitted due to COVID, with 6 in the ICU and 3 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 262 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 231 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 521 cases reported this week, 81 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 187 were age 20 to 39, while 149 cases were age 40 to 59.  Sixty-nine (69) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 34 were 80 years of age or older.  The case for 1 case was unknown at the time of reporting.
• Of the 521 cases reported this week, 428 reside in Greater Sudbury while 39 reside in Manitoulin district, 5 in Sudbury North, 36 in Sudbury West, and 13 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 12.8% for the period of February 16 to 22, 2022, compared to 12.9% for the previous 7 days.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 440 465 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 174 267 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 165 692 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 98 710 people has received a third dose including 58.0% of residents aged 18 and over. A total of 1 796 people has received a fourth dose (current as of end of day, February 23, 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 23, 2022, a total of 1 705 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 91.7% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 92.5% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 89.0% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 90.4% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Overall, 88.9% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 89.6% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 84.5% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 85.5% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Of the total population of Sudbury and districts, 84.9% have received their first dose and 80.7% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 39 000 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.

*First and second dose coverage rates in this age group are lower than their values from one week ago, on Wednesday, February 16. This is due to a retrospective adjustment of dose entry data in COVax in the past week.

Stay COVID-safe

• As the Government of Ontario gradually eases public health measures, it’s important that we continue to be COVID-safe. Assess the risk of your activity using the A.S.K system  and take steps to stay safe.  Get your booster dose as soon as you are eligible. It remains important for everyone else to complete their primary series if they have not already. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more.
• Be prepared in case someone in your household develops COVID-19 symptoms (Government of Ontario).  Get a free rapid antigen kit for at-home use at participating pharmacies and grocery stores, as well as through select community partners in vulnerable communities. Visit ontario.ca to learn where to get a free kit containing rapid antigen tests.
• Did you know? If your self-isolation is complete after five days, regardless of your vaccination status or age, for another five days from the end of your self-isolation period, you must continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings, not visit anyone who may be at higher risk of illness (such as seniors or immunocompromised individuals), and not visit any highest risk settings such as hospitals or long-term care homes, or individuals. This includes, for example, not playing sports for this full duration if you cannot maintain masking during sports.
• We all experience mental health. Learning about mental health can help change the conversation and the more we do so, the better we can support ourselves and those we care for. Mental health literacy empowers youth, parents, educator and health professionals with the knowledge and skills that we need to help us build better lives.

What’s new

• As of Tuesday, March 1, the Ontario Government intends to lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings and take additional steps to further ease public health measures.
• The mobile vaccination clinic will return to service on Tuesday, March 1, to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals across Public Health’s service area. Details about clinics, schedules, and eligibility are available at phsd.ca.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

Starting next week, it is expected that the Government of Ontario will lift the requirement to show proof of vaccination for all remaining settings currently required under provincial regulations. This will be in addition to further easing other public health measures. While this is welcome news, it may be concerning for some, recognizing that the virus is still present around us. The provincial government has announced that the easing of restrictions is possible due to decreasing case counts and high vaccination rates. Please be reminded that it remains important to protect those in our community who are particularly vulnerable to severe disease, such as seniors and those with underlying medical conditions. Although COVID-19 will continue to circulate, we now have greater knowledge and tools to help keep us safe. The sacrifices and protective measures we have used have helped save lives. As we eagerly turn our attention to achieving some sense of normalcy, please don’t let your guard down entirely. While we are moving ahead to restore previously paused public health programs and services, Public Health remains ready to respond to any COVID-19 surge or concerns that may arise. As we move ahead, please continue to take necessary precautions, such as wearing a mask, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated, to stay healthy.

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).