COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update May 27, 2021
Issued: Thursday, May 27, 2021Reporting period: Thursday, May 20, 2021, to Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
May 27, 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 26, 2021: 19 new cases, and 35 cases were resolved. There was 1 COVID-related death. Ten (10) new cases screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which is 53% 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. All of these outbreaks remain active. At end of day May 26, 2021, there were 31 active cases in our service area, and 5 active outbreaks. Two (2) cases were hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 079 local cases of which 2 048 are resolved, and 30 people have died in our service area. Nine-hundred and twelve (912) 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, 3 were associated with an outbreak, while 11 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. Two (2) cases were travel-related, while the source of exposure was unknown for 3 cases.
- Fifteen (15) cases reside in Greater Sudbury, while 2 reside in the Sudbury North and 2 reside in Sudbury West. There were no cases among residents of 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 20 to May 26. Through our investigation, we identified 93 people who had high-risk close contacts with these cases. That is an average of 5 high-risk close contacts per case, compared to 4 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 9.6 new cases per 100 000 population (compared to 14.6 for the previous 7 days).
- The percent positivity was 1.06% for the period of May 18 to May 24 (compared to 1.28% for the previous 7 days).
- For the period of May 18 to May 24, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.2 for Northern Ontario, and 0.8 for Ontario overall.
Vaccination Program Update
- To date, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered a total of 109 598 doses to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 95 464 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 14 134 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. May 26, 2021).
- Over the last seven days up to end of day May 26, 2021, a total of 4 775 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Overall, 59.4% of Sudbury and district residents aged 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 65.4% for all Ontario residents aged 18+.
- Second doses have been received by 8.8% of those aged 18+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 4.9% of Ontarians of same age.
- The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for adults 40+ in Sudbury and districts.
| Age Group | Dose 1 Count | Dose 1 % Coverage | Dose 2 Count | Dose 2 % Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 + | 10 222 | 100.0% | 2 180 | 23.1% |
| 75-79 | 7 275 | 100.0% | 777 | 11.5% |
| 70-75 | 9 925 | 100.0% | 1 296 | 14.3% |
| 65-69 | 11 590 | 92.7% | 1 495 | 12.0% |
| 60-64 | 12 726 | 89.6% | 1 920 | 13.5% |
| 55-59 | 9 556 | 59.0% | 1 526 | 9.4% |
| 50-54 | 7 586 | 46.4% | 1 153 | 7.0% |
| 45-49 | 5 565 | 43.1% | 1 138 | 8.8% |
| 40-44 | 4 936 | 41.2% | 962 | 8.0% |
| 35-39 | 4 406 | 38.4% | 821 | 7.2% |
| 30-34 | 3 902 | 34.2% | 759 | 6.6% |
| 25-29 | 3 753 | 32.6% | 694 | 6.0% |
| 18-24 | 4 446 | 26.7% | 1 001 | 6.0% |
| 12-17 | 321 | 6.7% | 11 | 0.2% |
* Rates are based on 2016 census populations and may over-represent actual vaccine coverage.
Stay COVID-safe
- Planning on getting outdoors this weekend? Whether on a trail or the golf course, be COVID-safe and practise physical distancing even outdoors. Wear a mask when physical distancing can not be maintained.
- Life isn’t always easy and times like COVID-19 can be stressful. Try making a coping and safety plan (eMentalHealth.ca) when you are calm. Include things you can do to keep you well. This plan can be a helpful tool to use when needed.
- Is your second dose appointment coming up soon? Make sure you follow through and get your second dose for the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose is important as it will offer the best protection possible against COVID-19 and variants.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was found to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 in youth (Government of Ontario) between the ages of 12 to 17 years. It is currently the only vaccine approved for this age group and has gone through a thorough and independent review. Stay tuned for special youth and family clinics coming in June!
What’s new
- Public Health is working closely with area school boards and partners to plan for and schedule youth and family COVD-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.
- As of May 22, Ontario reopened outdoor recreational amenities such as golf courses, tennis courts, skateboarding parks and sports fields, with restrictions in place. https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1000159/roadmap-to-reopen
- As of May 22, outdoor gathering limits were expanded to five people. Everyone should continue to stay home as much as possible and must only leave their homes for permitted reasons under the Stay-at-Home Order such as food, medication, medical appointments, supporting vulnerable community members, exercising or accessing outdoor recreational amenities that are permitted to be open.
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Public Health is posting a new weekly detailed vaccination program update once per week. The first report is being posted today, May 27, and future reports will be posted once weekly on Tuesdays beginning on June 1.
Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health
With some outdoor recreation facilities open, I hope you can get outside and enjoy some fresh air and exercise in a COVID-safe way. The provincial reopening plan provides hope for an enjoyable summer. In the meantime, Ontario remains under a Stay-at-Home Order and everyone should continue to stay home as much as possible and must only leave their homes for reasons permitted under the Order. Our vaccination program continues to make great strides and we are over 100 000 doses administered in our service area. With more clinics becoming available, including special youth and family clinics in mid-June, you will be able to get your vaccine sooner than expected. So, if you have not yet booked your appointment, please do so.
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.
Starting May 31, the detailed epidemiology summary will be posted once a week on Mondays.
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).