COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update September 30, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, September 23, 2021, to Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

September 30, 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 September 29, 2021: 43 new cases were reported and 46 cases were resolved. To date, 25 of the 43 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). Eight (8) COVID-19 outbreaks were active  this week, including 5 in schools, and 1 each in a workplace, a congregate living setting, and a private social gathering. There were no COVID-related deaths. One (1) outbreak in a school was declared over this week. At end of day September 29, 2021, there were 47 active cases in our service area and 7 active outbreaks. There was 1 local case in hospital, and the rest were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 435 local cases of which 2 388 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand, one hundred and eighty (1 180) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 343 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 54 cases (16%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 250 cases (73%) in unvaccinated residents, while 39 (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 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 75.4 new cases per 100 000 population. Residents who were 20 to 29 years of age had the highest rate at 162.9 per 100 000 population. The rate among 0 to 19-year-olds (141.7 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 21.6 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 19.1 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 43 new cases in our service area in the past week, 20 were a close contact of confirmed case and 7 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 14 had no known epidemiological link.
• All 43 cases reported this week reside in Greater Sudbury.
• Between September 23 and September 29, Public Health identified 411 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 9.5 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 21.0 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 1.6% for the period of September 22 to September 28, compared to 1.5% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of September 22 to September 28, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 0.94 for Northern Ontario, and 0.92 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 300 414 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 155 685 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 144 729 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. September 29, 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 September 29, 2021, a total of 3 348 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 88.6% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine.
• Second doses have been received by 82.4% 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

• Going somewhere with people outside of your immediate household? Remember to bring and wear your mask/face covering. This simple and easy personal protective measure (Government of Canada) will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Navigating life in a pandemic can take a toll on our mental health. Know that your feelings matter, and you don’t have to carry this alone. Check out My Circle of Support Pocketbook (School Mental Health Ontario), a tool for youth to take notes on the people, places, and things that support them. It also includes numbers to call for support or in an emergency.
• Whether dining out, going to the gym or theatre, please remember to be KIND. Showing proof of vaccination at select settings (Government of Ontario) helps to keep us COVID-safe. We all have a role in practicing kindness, patience, and gratitude toward others. BE KIND to everyone.

What’s new

• Did you know that you can now easily report your COVID-19 vaccination to Public Health Sudbury & Districts using the COVID-19 vaccination reporting online form at phsd.ca/covid-vaccine-record? If your COVID-19 vaccination records are not in the provincial online database (COVaxON), we encourage you to submit your proof of vaccinations to help public health agencies monitor vaccine coverage.
• Effective October 14, operators of facilities in Northern Ontario where indoor sports are played or practiced will ensure additional groups provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Northern Ontario’s seven Medical Officers of Health have issued instructions to facility operators (PDF) under the Reopening Ontario Act requiring anyone aged 12 and older coaching, officiating, or volunteering at indoor organized sports to provide proof of vaccination unless a medical exemption applies. For full details, read the news release at phsd.ca.
• On September 29, the Government of Ontario issued a preferential recommendation of the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals aged 18-24 years old effective immediately based on the current available analysis from Ontario’s adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system. For full details, read the news release on ontario.ca.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

It has been just over one week since the provincial requirements for proof of vaccination in certain settings came into effect. Public health is continually looking at ways to keep our communities safe and I thank you for your patience as we all adjust to the new regulations. Locally, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 vaccinations over the last month and that is very encouraging. Thank you to everyone for stepping-up and getting your vaccine. Even if you have waited until now to get your first dose, it is an important step in protecting yourself, your family, your friends, and your community. Please remember to be kind to one another. We may not know the circumstances of someone’s personal situation, but it is easy to show patience and gratitude.

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).