COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update October 28, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, October 21, 2021, to Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

October 28, 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 October 27, 2021: 164 new cases were reported and 52 cases were resolved. To date, 115 of the 164 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). Ten (10) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 4 in workplaces, 2 in schools, and 1 each in a long-term care home, a correctional facility, a public community setting and a private social gathering. Three (3) outbreaks were declared over in the past 7 days, 2 in workplaces and 1 in a private social gathering. There was 1 COVID-related death. At end of day October 27, 2021, there were 208 active cases in our service area and 7 active outbreaks. There was no local case in hospital.  All were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 777 local cases of which 2 569 are resolved, and 32 people have died in our service area. One thousand, four hundred and forty-seven (1 447) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 705 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 170 cases (24%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 535 cases (76%) in unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated residents (i.e., one-dose only). During that same period, there have been 15 local hospitalizations of which 10 cases (87%) were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Two (2) hospitalized cases (13%) 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 7.5 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 181.0 new cases per 100 000 population. Residents who were 30 to 39 years of age had the highest rate at 410.4 per 100 000 population. The rates among 20 to 29-year-olds (349.9 per 100,000) was 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 82.5 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 41.7 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 164 new cases in our service area in the past week, 63 were a close contact of confirmed case and 61 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. Four (4) cases were travel-related, while 30 had no known epidemiological link. Six (6) cases remained under investigation.
• Of the 164 cases reported this week, 158 reside in Greater Sudbury while 2 reside in Sudbury North, 1 in Sudbury East, 2 in Sudbury West and 1 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 October 21 and October 27, Public Health identified 743 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 4.5 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 6.0 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 3.3% for the period of October 20 to October 26, compared to 0.9% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of October 20 to October 26 the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.42 for Northern Ontario, and 0.9 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

Note: To ensure that our estimated rates of vaccination coverage remain as accurate as possible, as of October 14, 2021, the population figures used in these calculations have been updated to reflect counts recently made available from Statistics Canada. As the new 2020 population estimates are slightly higher than those previously used, readers may notice a decrease in our estimated coverage rates from those published prior to this date. Note that the same change was made by Public Health Ontario, so this improves the comparability of our estimates with their estimates. Provincial coverage estimates are taken from the provincial website. In addition, we have corrected our data to reflect recent updates to dose tracking processes, further decreasing our estimated coverage rates compared to those published prior to this date.

• To date, a total of 320 991 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 162 860 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 155 541 people have been fully vaccinated, of which 2 590 people have received a third dose (current as of 4 p.m. October 27, 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 October 27, 2021, a total of 2 983 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 85.3% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 88.1% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 81.1% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 84.2% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12+ in Sudbury and districts.

Stay COVID-safe

• Make this Halloween both spooky and COVID-safe for everyone! With a recent spike in COVID cases locally, we cannot let our guard down. The safest way to celebrate is outdoors and continue to use multiple layers of protection. Get vaccinated, limit the size of your gathering, practise physical distancing and wear a mask. Remember that a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering.
• Our actions impact others. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is one way to help protect those around you that are most vulnerable, like children under the age of 12 who aren’t yet eligible. Visit: phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to book your vaccination appointment as soon as possible.
• Many are struggling during this pandemic. You’re never alone. Reach out for support. Crisis Services Canada 1.833.456.4566, ConnexOntario 1.866.531.2600, Kids Help Phone 1.800.668.6868, Hope for Wellness Help Line (for indigenous peoples) 1.855.242.3310, LGBTQ Youth Line 1.800.298-9688, Good2Talk (post-secondary students) 1.866.925.5454.

What’s new

• Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, has issued a Class Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, requiring all individuals in Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ service area who are either a case, potential case or contact of a case to follow Public Health direction. The Order is enforceable by law and is posted on phsd.ca.
• On October 22, Ontario released their plan to safely reopen Ontario and manage COVID-19 for the long-term. This included lifting capacity limits in the vast majority of settings where proof of vaccination is required as of October 25. For full details, read the news release on ontario.ca.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

The rise in cases we have seen the last few weeks is alarming. We are currently a COVID-19 hotspot in the province. COVID-19 surges can happen anywhere and can happen quickly. Public Health staff works quickly to limit the spread of the virus but our ability to do that is challenged when cases rapidly increase. Staff also rely on having the full cooperation of everyone we need to contact and provide direction. Without this support, our ability to protect families, workplaces, and schools from further spread is threatened. I encourage all of you to think about your actions and consider the impact on our community. Choosing to get vaccinated if you are eligible remains critically important; however, using  other protective measures such as masking, distancing, working from home when possible, and staying home when even mildly unwell also plays a key role in keeping cases low. In order to keep enjoying the benefits of the provincial reopening plan we must strengthen our individual commitment to prevention. This pandemic has tested our resilience, and we’re all looking forward to a day when this chapter in our lives is behind us. Until that time, however, it’s important to remember that we are all in this together and that our collective efforts will see us through.

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).