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

Reporting period: Thursday, February 24, 2022, to Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

March 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 March 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, 537 new cases were reported, and 479 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. Nineteen (19) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 6 in congregate living settings, 7 in long-term care homes, 4 in hospitals and 1 each in a retirement home and a correctional facility. There were 7 outbreaks declared over in the past week, 3 in long-term care homes, 3 in congregate living settings and 1 in a correctional facility. There were 3 COVID-19-related deaths. At end of day March 2, 2022, there were 509 known active cases in our service area and 12 active outbreaks.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 11 603 known cases locally, of which 11 094 are resolved. Sadly, COVID has now caused or contributed to the deaths of 109 people in our service area.

Provincial data indicate that between January 13, 2021, and February 11, 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 2.0 times that of someone with 2 doses and 2.6 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 March 1, there were 70 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local hospitals, 19 of which had been admitted due to COVID with the remaining 51 being admitted for other reasons but having tested positive for COVID-19. Five (5) of the patients admitted due to COVID were in the intensive care unit (ICU). Seven (7) days prior, on February 22, there were 58 patients in local hospitals with confirmed COVID-19, 17 of which had been admitted due to COVID. Four (4) of the patients who had been admitted due to COVID were in the ICU. (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 270 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 262 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days. In Ontario, there were a total of 13 620 cases reported over the previous 7 days, which equates to a rate of 96 cases per 100 000 population.
• Of the 537 cases reported this week, 67 were children and youth aged 0 to 19 years, 182 were age 20 to 39, while 167 cases were age 40 to 59.  Eighty-two (82) cases were 60 to 79 years, and 36 were 80 years of age or older.  The ages of 3 cases were unknown at the time of reporting.
• Of the 537 cases reported this week, 449 reside in Greater Sudbury while 48 reside in Manitoulin district, 3 in Sudbury North, 32 in Sudbury West, and 5 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 12.6% for the period of February 23 to March 1, 2022, compared to 9.2% in Ontario overall.  In the previous 7-day period, the local percent positivity rate was 12.8% and the Ontario rate was 8.8%.
• The 7-day average testing rate for the period of February 23 to March 1, 2022 was 2.3 per 1 000 compared to 1.0 per 1 000 for Ontario overall. In the previous 7-day period, the local 7-day average testing rate was 2.5 per 1 000 compared to 1.2 per 1 000 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 441 969 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 174 422 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 166 214 people have been fully vaccinated (with two doses). A total of 99 431 people have received a third dose including 54.8% of residents aged 12 and over. A total of 1 902 people have received a fourth dose (current as of end of day, March 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, March 2, 2022, a total of 1 397 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 92.6% for all Ontario residents aged 12 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 89.1% of those aged 12 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 90.6% 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 89.7% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Second doses have been received by 84.8% of those aged 5 and over in Sudbury and districts compared to 85.8% for all Ontario residents aged 5 and over.
• Of the total population of Sudbury and districts, 85.0% have received their first dose and 81.0% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 38 000 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*.

* Fluctuations in coverage rates by age group are expected to become more frequent moving forward as the number of vaccines administered each day becomes smaller. These fluctuations are due to routine adjustments in dose entry data in COVax.

Stay COVID-safe

• Planning to travel during the March Break? Know that COVID-19 does not take vacations. It’s important to protect yourself and those you love by following public health measures and getting vaccinated against COVID-19.  A complete COVID-19 vaccine series continues to provide good protection against serious illness for most people, but a booster dose improves this protection.  Either Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty® or Moderna SpikevaxTM COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are effective as boosters and mixing them is safe and effective.  Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about vaccination opportunities.
• As the Government of Ontario cautiously relaxes public health measures, please continue to be patient and understanding of those around you. Everyone is experiencing the pandemic differently and may have different comfort levels when it comes to pandemic precautions. COVID-19 is still circulating locally and across the province. Continue to make wise choices and practice personal protective measures (PDF) to protect yourself and others.
• Many COVID-19 cases in children can be asymptomatic or mild, but some of those cases are more severe. Some children infected with COVID-19 can get severe lung infections, become very sick, and require hospitalization. Children 5 to 11 years of age should receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their age group.  This dose provides children with the same level of protection as the higher doses needed for adolescents and adults. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more.
• Many are feeling stressed and overwhelmed right now. When feeling this way many people cannot focus and experience racing thoughts, get angry easily, cry, feel tired, have changes in appetites, have tight muscles and pain or a headache. Limit checking the news to once a day, take a moment to be kind to yourself and try these practical skills to help you cope with stress (World Health Organisation).

What’s new

• As of March 1, the Ontario Government lifted proof of vaccination requirements for all settings and took additional steps to further ease public health measures. However, individuals are still required to wear a mask when in indoor areas of premises and businesses are required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that describes the measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including screening and masking.
• Public Health continues to encourage all workplaces to provide information to their workers about how vaccination can help keep them safe. Some businesses and organizations may continue to choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry. The Verify Ontario app will continue to be available for businesses who choose to use it.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

This week, I would like to share my gratitude with everyone for their sacrifices and commitment to doing their part in getting us all through the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic is not yet over – and this is even more true in northern Ontario – we know our success so far has been possible thanks to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of so many over two long years. As we continue along the path of reopening, please continue to assess your own situation and make COVID-safe decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones and help us all continue to move forward. In Northern Ontario, we have higher case rates in our communities and higher COVID-19 burdens in our hospitals as compared with Ontario overall. Knowing this, being vigilant yet hopeful, and assessing our own personal circumstances will be important. Everyone is experiencing the pandemic differently and may have different comfort levels when it comes to pandemic precautions at public gatherings and other places. Respect and kindness have brought us this far—they will continue to serve us well as we get through these next transitions too.

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).