COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update October 7, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, September 30, 2021, to Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

October 7, 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 6, 2021: 41 new cases were reported and 38 cases were resolved. To date, 31 of the 41 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). Nine (9) COVID-19 outbreaks were active this week, including 4 in schools, 2 in workplaces, and 1 each in a daycare, a congregate living setting, and a private social gathering. There were no COVID-related deaths. Five (5) outbreaks were declared over this week, including 2 in schools, and 1 each in a workplace, a congregate living setting and a private social gathering. At end of day October 6, 2021, there were 50 active cases in our service area and 4 active outbreaks. There was 1 local case in hospital, and the rest were self-isolating. There were 11 potential low-risk exposures in public settings reported, and no high-risk exposures.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 476 local cases of which 2 426 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand, two hundred and sixteen (1 216) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 384 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 70 cases (18%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 273 cases (71%) in unvaccinated residents, while 41 (11%) have occurred among those who have received one dose of vaccine. During that same period, there have been 8 local hospitalizations among unvaccinated (6 cases, 75%) and partially vaccinated (2 cases, 25%). 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 80.9 new cases per 100 000 population. Residents who were 20 to 29 years of age had the highest rate at 174.8 per 100 000 population. The rate among 0 to 19-year-olds (159.4 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 20.6 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 21.6 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 41 new cases in our service area in the past week, 16 were a close contact of confirmed case and 9 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. Two (2) cases were travel-related, while 11 had no known epidemiological link. Three (3) cases remained under investigation
• Of the 41 cases reported this week, 40 reside in Greater Sudbury while 1 resides in Sudbury West (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 September 30 and October 6, Public Health identified 309 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 7.5 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 9.5 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 0.9% for the period of September 29 to October 5, compared to 1.6% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of September 29 to October 5 the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.13 for Northern Ontario, and 0.92 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 305 052 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 157 545 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 147 507 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. October 6, 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 6, 2021, a total of 2 550 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 89.7% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine.
• Second doses have been received by 84.0% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts.
• The following is a depiction of vaccinations received by age for individuals 12+ in Sudbury and districts.

* Rates are based on 2020 population estimates from the Ministry of Finance to match provincial coverage calculations.

Stay COVID-safe

• Large events and gatherings have the potential to increase the spread of COVID-19. Take steps to reduce your risk by gathering outdoors or virtually. Do not attend any in-person gathering if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild.
• Did you know that the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine is the recommended vaccine for youth 18-24 years old? The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine is available at all Public Health Sudbury & District clinics. Visit: phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to book your vaccination appointment as soon as possible.
• You may feel like your energy is low during this pandemic. Balancing everyday life may feel more stressful and exhausting. Canadian Mental Health Association has many simple ideas to care for yourself and to help you feel better. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can access free, 24/7, mental health and substance use support at Wellness Together Canada (wellnesstogether.ca).

What’s new

• The Government of Ontario is improving access to local targeted COVID-19 rapid antigen screening by making it available for students through participating public health units where risk of transmission is high. For full details, read the news release at ontario.ca. Locally, Public Health Sudbury & Districts will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the community and in schools, including the number of cases, outbreaks, and vaccination rates. Public Health will assess this information and, in consultation with school board and child care centre partners, determine the need for targeted COVID-19 rapid antigen screening based on local needs in areas or schools where rates of transmission are high.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

It has been one month since schools have been open for in-person learning, and not surprisingly, we are seeing some cases of COVID-19 in schools. We must continue to do everything we can to keep cases low in the community to help students stay in the classroom. Last year, COVID-19 cases increased following holiday celebrations. For this reason, I encourage you to do your part to limit the spread as you celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend. Connecting with family and friends is important, but we know that every gathering has inherent risks. If you are celebrating with family or friends you do not live with, consider your guests’ vaccination status and follow COVID-safe precautions accordingly. This could include gathering outdoors, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing. As we think ahead to this holiday weekend, I would like to extend my thanks to all of you for your continued sacrifices to keep your community 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. A detailed epidemiology summary is posted on Monday 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).