COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update February 3, 2022

Reporting period: Thursday, January 27, 2022, to Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

February 3, 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 2, 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, 618 new cases were reported, and 706 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. Thirty-three (33) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 12 in congregate living settings, 7 in long-term care homes, 12 in hospitals, and 2 in correctional facilities. There were 9 outbreaks declared over in the past week, including 6 in congregate living settings, and 1 each in a hospital, a long-term care home and a correctional facility. There were 6 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day February 2, 2022, there were 616 known active cases in our service area and 24 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 9 574 known cases locally, of which 8 958 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 86 people in our service area.

Provincial data indicate that between December 16, 2021, and January 14, 2022, the risk of an individual who is unvaccinated, or who only has one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 was 2.0 times that of someone with 2 or more doses. Further, their risk of currently being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 3.4 times that of someone with 2 doses, and 4.9 times that of someone with 3 doses.

Recent Trends

• On February 1, there were 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 25 of which had been admitted due to COVID. Eleven (11) of these patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU), 5 of which were on a ventilator. Seven (7) days prior, on January 25, there were 58 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 24 of which had been admitted due to COVID, with 12 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 311 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 368 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 618 cases reported this week, 72 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 250 were age 20 to 39, while 172 cases were age 40 to 59.  Sixty-seven (67) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 92 were 80 years of age or older.
• Of the 618 cases reported this week, 523 reside in Greater Sudbury while 58 reside in Manitoulin district, 11 in Sudbury North, 18 in Sudbury West, and 8 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 8.9% for the period of January 25 to January 31, 2022, compared to 11.5% for the previous 7 days.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 431 408 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 173 360 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 162 804 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 93 804 people have received a third dose including 55.3% of residents aged 18 and over. A total of 1 440 people have received a fourth dose (current as of 4 p.m., February 2, 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 2, 2022, a total of 6 356 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 91.2% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 91.9% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 88.4% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 89.3% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Overall, 88.4% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 5 and over have received their first dose, compared to 89.0% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 83.0% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 83.9% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• 84.5% of the total population of Sudbury and districts have received their first dose and 79.3% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 42 000 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.

Stay COVID-safe

• Getting vaccinated with a booster dose as soon as you are eligible strengthens your immune system to protect you from being very sick. The Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that work in the same way and are interchangeable. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
• With the highly transmissible Omicron variant it’s important to get vaccinated and layer up public health measures to protect yourself from COVID-19 in any situation (PDF). If you plan on hosting a gathering, limit the number of people attending to the lowest number possible; do not exceed the social gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Do you or your kids have questions about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine? “Rapid test” your family with a round of COVID-19 trivia! Join Public Health Sudbury & Districts and Science North on Wednesday, February 9, at 7 p.m. for a free, virtual FAMJAM TRIVIA NIGHT: Vaccines with Dr. Reich and Science North Bluecoat, Larissa. Compete against other live viewers for a chance to win Science North swag! For more information visit sciencenorth.ca/give-vaccines-shot.
• Our feelings and mood are often affected by the constant change in our lives. Help is at your fingertips for people of all ages with the new free PocketWell app. Check out the app in your Apple or Google Play app store and access tools to assess and track your mental wellbeing. You can also access the Wellness Together Canada website for mental health and substance use support, resources, tools, and counselling.

What’s new

• With key public health and health system indicators starting to show improvements, the Government of Ontario began to ease public health measures, starting on January 31, 2022. In the absence of concerning trends in public health and health care indicators, Ontario will follow a cautious and phased approach to lifting public health measures, with 21 days between each step. Learn more about how Ontario is planning to safely and gradually reopen (Government of Ontario).
• The Government of Ontario has notified public health units of a confirmed stable supply of the adult Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine over the coming weeks. The requirement to prioritize Pfizer-BioNTech for the 12 to 29 age group is no longer in effect. Moving forward, and as supply permits, Public Health Sudbury & Districts will ensure both vaccine products are available in our mass immunization clinics (regardless of the product identified at time of booking).
• Families are invited to a PD day COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Science North on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Give vaccines a shot! Walk-ins are welcome until 3 p.m. or appointments can be booked online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or by phone at 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505) Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

I recently had the opportunity to review results from of our 2021 Client Satisfaction Survey, which provides our clients the option to share their feedback and contribute to service improvements for our agency. Reviewing the survey results and reflecting on the work of Public Health—both the sheer volume and overall quality—I am thankful for the efforts of so many staff, partners, and community members who have contributed so much to protect themselves and one another during an unprecedented and ever-changing public health emergency. The lessons learned, shared successes, and enduring enthusiasm over the past year have provided renewed focus and energy for our work of protecting health and preventing disease, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to demand our attention. I would also like to acknowledge the gaps that exist, the programs and services that we have had to put on pause over the last two years, and the work that remains to be done as we work toward recovery planning. I want to thank everyone who shared their experiences with us, who provided us with perspective through their comments and stories, compliments, and concerns, so that we can continue to forge a better path ahead and create healthy communities for all.

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).