COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update November 25, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, November 18, 2021, to Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

November 25, 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 November 24, 2021: 244 new cases were reported and 220 cases were resolved. (Note: Due to recent changes in laboratory practices, Public Health will no longer be reporting on the variant of concern (VOC) profiles of cases.) Thirty-two (32) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 15 in schools or on school buses, 8 in workplaces, 2 in daycares, 2 in hospitals, 2 in congregate living settings, 2 in community settings (recreational sports team and public park), and 1 in a retirement home. Eight (8) outbreaks were declared over in the past 7 days, 4 in workplaces, 2 in schools, and 1 each in a congregate living setting and a recreational sports team. There was 1 COVID-related death. At end of day November 24, 2021, there were 251 active cases in our service area and 24 active outbreaks. There were 12 local cases in hospital, while the rest were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 3 629 local cases of which 3 378 are resolved, and sadly, 38 people have died in our service area.

Of the 1 537 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 474 cases (31%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 1 063 cases (69%) in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents (i.e. one-dose only). During that same period, there have been 54 local hospitalizations of which 36 cases (67%) were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Eighteen (18) hospitalized cases (33%) were fully vaccinated. Interpreting vaccine status data: please note that data on case counts by vaccination status are preliminary—and highly subject to change. Comparing cumulative numbers from week to week may lead to incorrect estimates of case counts by vaccination status for the previous 7 days.

Based on data from the last 14 days, the risk of contracting COVID-19 for unvaccinated residents of Sudbury and districts was 5.7 times the risk for fully vaccinated residents.

Recent Trends

• In the past 28 days, the overall incidence rate of COVID-19 in our area was 415.6 new cases per 100 000 population. Residents who were 30 to 39 years of age had the highest rate at 621.0 new cases per 100 000 population. The rates among those 19 years of age and under (603.0 per 100,000), 20 to 29 (541.5 per 100 000), and 40 to 49 (497.3 per 100 000) were also higher than the overall rate in our area. Rates among all other age groups were lower than the overall rate.
• The local incidence rate in the past 7 days was 122.7 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 99.1 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 244 new cases in our service area in the past week, 105 were a close contact of confirmed case and 43 were associated with an outbreak. 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. Sixty-three (63) had no known epidemiological link. One (1) case was travel related. Thirty-two (32) cases remained under investigation
• Of the 244 cases reported this week, 219 reside in Greater Sudbury while 13 reside in Sudbury West, 10 in Sudbury East and 2 in Manitoulin district. (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)
• Between November 18 and November 24, Public Health identified 1 748 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 7.2 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 8.9 high-risk close contacts per case reported last week. Public Health follows up directly and regularly with every high-risk close contact to monitor them for symptoms, ensure they are self-isolating (usually not required if fully vaccinated), and make recommendations for testing according to provincial guidance.
• The percent positivity was 4.3% for the period of November 17 to November 23, compared to 4.0% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of November 17 to November 23, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.12 for Sudbury and districts, 1.20 for Northern Ontario, and 1.10 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 321 555 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 159 586 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 154 488 people have been fully vaccinated, of which 7 481 people have received a third dose (current as of 4 p.m. November 24, 2021). Note, this includes vaccines administered by Public Health, First Nation and Indigenous communities, primary care, and pharmacies.
• Over the last 7 days up to end of day Wednesday, November 24, 2021, a total of 3 627 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 86.4% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 89.1% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 83.3% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 86.2% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• 76.4% of the total population of Sudbury and districts have received their first dose and 73.7% have been fully immunized. This means that there are over 54 000 residents who are not currently fully immunized.
• The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12+ in Sudbury and districts.

Stay COVID-safe

• Health Canada has determined that the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years of age outweigh the risks. During wave 4, and especially in recent weeks, the 5 to 11 age group has had a higher rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Visit: phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to book a vaccination appointment for your child as soon as possible.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick. If you have a COVID-19 symptom, even a mild one, please self-isolate and seek testing. This action will help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
• As we approach the holiday season, it may be tempting to return to “normal” holiday traditions.  As COVID-19 surges locally, we must continue to follow public health measures. This is equally true when considering Black Friday, and other holiday shopping trips, and gatherings. Please be COVID-safe now to protect the holidays with family and friends in the coming weeks.
• Living through a pandemic has been tough for many of us. Substance use can affect people from all walks of life and having to deal with stigma can be barrier to wellbeing. Let’s change that. This National Addictions Awareness Week (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction), we’ll be driving change together. If you have mental health or substance use concerns, Wellness Together Canada (Wellness Together Canada) is there for you.

What’s new

• COVID-19 vaccine appointments can now be booked for children aged 5 to 11 years and Public Health Sudbury & Districts is ready to offer the COVID-19 vaccine starting Friday, November 26. To book an appointment or for more information, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
• Given the local surge in cases and with the holiday season fast approaching, Public Health Sudbury & Districts, in collaboration with local school boards will be offering take-home rapid antigen screening kits to students in both elementary and secondary schools. Participation in the local program is voluntary and schools participating will be sharing information with parents and guardians soon.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

As we continue to manage the surge of COVID-19 cases locally, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Sadly, we are seeing a new trend with COVID-19 related deaths. Since late October, 5 of the 7 deaths (71%) have been among individuals who are less than 70 years of age. This is a drastic change from what was seen earlier in the pandemic and a reminder of the severity of the virus. It is vital that we do all we can to protect those who are vulnerable in our communities. Earlier this week, Public Health Sudbury & Districts announced that after careful preparation, we are ready to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 starting tomorrow. This is welcome news for everyone, and the response from the community has been tremendous with 2 800 appointments booked in the first two days. Appointments are still available and more have been recently added, so if you do have children who are now eligible, I encourage you to book an appointment as soon as possible. With the rising case counts, especially among those 19 and under, it is imperative that we do everything we can to protect in-person learning and our health care system. This includes following current public health measures and any additional measures that may come.

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).