COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update June 3, 2021
Issued: Thursday, June 3, 2021Reporting period: Thursday, May 27, 2021, to Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
June 3, 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 June 3, 2021: 19 new cases, and 18 cases were resolved. There were no COVID-related deaths. Fourteen (14) new cases screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which is 74% of the cases reported in this period. Five (5) outbreaks were active in the past week, including 2 in workplaces and 1 each in a hospital, a daycare and a congregate living setting. Four (4) of these outbreaks were resolved in the past 7 days. At end of day June 2, 2021, there were 32 active cases in our service area, and 1 active outbreak in a workplace. Four (4) cases were hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 098 local cases of which 2 066 are resolved, and 30 people have died in our service area. Nine-hundred and thirty-one (931) have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC).
Trends in the past seven days
- Of the 19 new cases in our service area, 1 was associated with an outbreak, while 12 were close contacts of confirmed cases. 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. No cases were travel-related, while the source of exposure was unknown for 6 cases.
- Eighteen (18) cases reside in Greater Sudbury, while 1 resides in Sudbury West. There were no cases among residents of Sudbury North, Sudbury East or Manitoulin District in the past 7 days. (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)
- Contact tracing information was available for all cases reported from May 27 to June 2. Through our investigation, we identified 92 people who had high-risk close contacts with these cases. That is an average of 5 high-risk close contacts per case, which is consistent with the rate reported last week for the previous 7 days. Public Health follows up directly and regularly with every high-risk close contact to monitor them for symptoms, ensure they are self-isolating, and make recommendations for testing according to provincial guidance.
- The seven-day incidence rate was 9.6 new cases per 100 000 population, which is consistent with the rate reported last week for the previous 7 days.
- The percent positivity was 1.06% for the period of May 25 to May 31 (compared to 1.33% for the previous 7 days).
- For the period of May 26 to June 1, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 0.9 for Northern Ontario, and 0.7 for Ontario overall.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered a total of 123 993 doses to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 103 702 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 20 291 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. June 2, 2021).
- Over the last seven days up to end of day June 2, 2021, a total of 7 934 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Overall, 64.6% of Sudbury and district residents aged 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 71.4% for all Ontario residents aged 18+.
- Second doses have been received by 12.6% of those aged 18+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 6.7% of Ontarians of same age.
- The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12+ in Sudbury and districts.
* Rates are based on 2016 census populations and may over-represent actual vaccine coverage.
| Age Group | Dose 1 Count | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 Count | Dose 2 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 + | 10 214 | 100.0% | 2 092 | 22.2% |
| 70-79 | 17 199 | 100.0% | 1 728 | 10.9% |
| 60-69 | 24 146 | 90.4% | 2 698 | 10.1% |
| 50-59 | 18 071 | 55.5% | 2 301 | 7.1% |
| 40-49 | 12 942 | 52.0% | 1 736 | 7.0% |
| 30-39 | 10 081 | 44.1% | 1 344 | 5.9% |
| 18-29 | 10 412 | 37.0% | 1 458 | 5.2% |
| 12-17 | 1 149 | 8.3% | 11 | 0.1% |
Stay COVID-safe
- Spend time outside! Outdoor activities are much safer than indoor activities. Limit outdoor gatherings to 5 people while maintaining physical distancing with people you do not live with. If you are outside but cannot maintain 2 metres distance, wear a face covering such as a mask. To learn more about outdoor recreational amenities that are currently open, see the complete list (Government of Ontario, PDF) on ontario.ca.
- Living through COVID-19 can be stressful. Use sensory strategies (eMentalhealth.ca) that engages one or more of your senses. For example, listening to calming music or tasting a cup of tea. If you are overwhelmed or having a crisis, visit Crisis Intervention Services (Health Sciences North) or Wellness Canada (Wellness Together Canada) for information on accessing live services.
- We know that youth can get COVID-19 and spread the virus to others, even if they don’t show This is why the COVID-19 vaccine is critical to protecting youth (Government of Ontario) and our communities. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations and the Ministry of Health recommends (Government of Canada) that a complete series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine be offered to youth 12 to 18 years of age. This vaccine is safe and effective for youth and clinical trials showed a 100% efficacy in protecting against symptomatic COVID-19 illness. Stay tuned for information about our special youth and family clinics which will be offered in mid-June.
- Got a COVID-19 appointment? To prepare, wear comfortable clothing that gives access to the upper arm (t-shirt), eat or drink something beforehand and bring a book or phone to use while you wait! For more, read “What to expect at a Public Health-led mass immunization clinic for COVID-19?”on phsd.ca.
What’s new
- Certain individuals are recommended to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine sooner. These individuals include those with higher risk related to an underlying health condition that results in a weakened immune system (for example, transplant recipient); certain high-risk health care workers; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals; residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Assisted Living facilities identified by the Ontario Ministry of Health, and residents of a First Nations elder care home or Elder Care Lodge; and individuals who have already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine who fall under any of the groups listed above.
- Individuals 80 years of age and older are eligible to book their second dose appointment sooner. We have a limited number of second dose vaccine appointments available. Call 705.674.2299 (toll-free 1.800.708.2505) to book.
- Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that all elementary and secondary students across the province will continue with remote learning for the remainder of the school year. To read the news release, visit news.ontario.ca.
- A reminder, Public Health is working closely with area school boards and partners to plan for and schedule youth and family COVID-19 vaccinations for mid-June. This initiative is part of the provincial plan to offer both doses of vaccine to youth aged 12 to 17 by the end of August. Youth and families will soon receive details about how to participate in the upcoming clinics.
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
Our COVID-19 vaccine program continues to make great progress and we are pleased to be offering a limited number of second dose appointments for individuals 80 years of age and older sooner than expected. This work to accelerate second dose appointments is in-step with our continued planning for the youth and family clinics in mid-June and of course completing first dose appointments. Public Health is thinking of you and your family and will continue to work hard to ensure you have the opportunity to get vaccinated when it is your turn. Our focus now needs to be working to ensure we have a good summer. Following COVID-safe behaviours and getting vaccine into arms are critical in helping us achieve that.
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 Mondays and Thursdays that includes information about cases over time, case characteristics, probable exposures, case outcomes, testing, and outbreaks in facilities.
Please note, until further notice, the Detailed Vaccination Report will not be produced as work is underway in the provincial vaccine database (COVAX) to validate the data for Public Health’s service area.
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).