COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update May 13, 2021
Issued: Thursday, May 13, 2021Reporting period: Thursday, May 6, 2021, to Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
May 13, 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 May 12, 2021: 47 new cases, and 52 cases were resolved. There were no COVID-related deaths. Twenty-seven (27) new cases screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which is 57% of the cases reported in this period. Five (5) outbreaks were active in the past week, including 2 in a hospital and 1 each in a workplace, a correctional facility and due to a private social gathering. Two (2) outbreaks were declared over in the past 7 days, 1 in a hospital and 1 due to a private social gathering. At end of day May 12, 2021, there were 84 active cases in our service area, and 3 active outbreaks. Eleven (11) cases were hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 033 local cases of which 1 949 are resolved, and 28 people have died in our service area. Eight-hundred and seventy-one (871) have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC).
Trends in the past seven days
- Of the 47 new cases in our service area, 2 were associated with an outbreak, while 31 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. Five (5) cases were travel-related, while the source of exposure was unknown for 9 cases.
- Forty-one (41) cases reside in Greater Sudbury, while 5 reside in the Sudbury District and 1 resides in Manitoulin District.
- Contact tracing information was available for all cases reported from May 6 to May 12. Through our investigation, we identified 98 people who had high-risk close contacts with these cases. That is an average of 2 high-risk close contacts per case, compared to 2 contacts per case in 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 23.6 new cases per 100 000 population (compared to 33.3 for the previous 7 days).
- The percent positivity was 1.46% for the period of May 4 to May 10 (compared to 1.69% for the previous 7 days).
- For the period of May 5 to May 11, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.0 for Northern Ontario, and 0.9 for Ontario overall.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered a total of 93 218 doses to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 84 468 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 8 750 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. May 12, 2021).
- Over the last seven days up to end of day May 12, 2021, a total of 6 404 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Overall, 52.6% of Sudbury and district residents aged 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 51.3% for all Ontario residents aged 18+.
- Second doses have been received by 5.4% of those aged 18+ in Sudbury and Districts compared to 3.4% of Ontarians of same age.
- The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for adults 50+ in Sudbury and districts.
| Age Group | Dose 1 Count | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 Count | Dose 2 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 + | 10 365 | 100.0% | 2 003 | 21.3% |
| 75-79 | 7 295 | 100.0% | 519 | 7.7% |
| 70-74 | 9 799 | 100.0% | 664 | 7.4% |
| 65-69 | 11 300 | 90.9% | 736 | 5.9% |
| 60-64 | 12 062 | 85.3% | 749 | 5.3% |
| 55-59 | 7 557 | 46.7% | 550 | 0.5% |
| 50-54 | 5 110 | 31.2% | 181 | 1.1% |
* Rates are based on 2016 census populations and may over-represent actual vaccine coverage.
Stay COVID-safe
- Be COVID-safe during your meal and break periods at work (Government of Ontario). Wash your hands, keep 2 meters (6 feet) apart from others, and wear your face covering after you are done eating. With few exceptions, it is the law to wear a mask or face covering when at work indoors. Even within areas of the workplace that are not accessible to members of the public, employees who are unable to keep 2 meters (6 feet) apart from coworkers are required to wear a mask. Take advantage of the nice weather and take your lunch outside while maintaining physical distancing.
- For many of us the COVID-19 pandemic has caused feelings of stress and anxiety. These feelings are normal. The use of alcohol, cannabis and other substances to cope may make those feelings worse. Check out this tip sheet(Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction) for coping strategies and advice on watching your substance use in times of stress.
- Many are outside enjoying the warmer weather. Remember that even when you are outside, it is important to follow public health measures like physical distancing and wearing a face covering when physical distancing of at least 2 meters is not possible.
- The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA technology. This means that they create proteins that look like the virus, so the body can recognize and destroy the virus if it is enters the body in the future. Remember, none of the vaccines can make you sick with COVID-19 as they do not contain the COVID-19 virus. It is not possible for the vaccines to alter DNA. Get the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s your turn.
What’s new
- Starting today, adults 40 years of age and older in 2021 (born 1981 or earlier) can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine by phone or online. Individuals with at-risk health conditions and Group 2 of essential workers who cannot work from home also became eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday, May 11. For more information, visit https://www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/vaccines-immunizations/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/upcoming-vaccination-clinics-for-specific-priority-groups/.
- The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended the Stay-at-Home Order ( Reg. 265/21) (Government of Ontario) until at least June 2. All public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake (Government of Ontario)will also remain in effect.
- Beginning the week of May 31, youth in Ontario between 12 and 17 years of age and their family members who have not received a vaccine will be eligible to book an appointment to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Public Health is working with partners to plan for this roll-out.
- A drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinic was held on Monday, May 10, for eligible individuals as part of a local pilot. Public Health Sudbury & Districts was pleased to support Primacy Medical Centre as they took the lead to offer the first, local drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinic. In total, 660 individuals were vaccinated.
- As of Tuesday, May 11, the province of Ontario has paused the rollout and administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to an observed increase in the rare blood clotting condition known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). This decision was also based on the increasing mRNA vaccine supply and decreasing rates of COVID-19.
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
I am very pleased that over 50% of Sudbury and district adult residents have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is a major milestone and was accomplished thanks to the efforts of many individuals including the wonderful partners that we work with in all the communities we serve. As more COVID-19 vaccine continues to roll out locally, I encourage you to sign-up for your appointment when you are eligible. Although the vaccine alone will not get us out of this third wave, the vaccination numbers we are seeing are very promising. I know that the days and weeks can feel long and a return to normal can seem far away, but please continue to be hopeful and support each other. Our collective efforts in following public health measures and booking vaccine appointments is paying dividends. Thank you and stay safe.
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.
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).