COVID-19 in Sudbury & districts: Your weekly update September 9, 2021

Reporting period: Thursday, September 2, 2021, to Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

September 9, 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 8, 2021: 30 new cases were reported and 33 cases were resolved. To date, 25 of the 30 cases had a mutation profile that is commonly associated with a COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC). There were 2 active COVID-19 outbreaks this week, one of which was declared over. There were no COVID-related deaths. At end of day September 8, 2021, there were 32 active cases in our service area and 1 active outbreak. There were no local cases in hospital.  All cases were self-isolating.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a total of 2 315 local cases of which 2 283 are resolved, and 31 people have died in our service area. One thousand and ninety-seven (1 097) were confirmed or presumed to be COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC).

Of the 223 local cases of COVID-19 reported since June 1, 2021, 22 cases (10%) have been among fully vaccinated individuals. There have been 172 cases (77%) in unvaccinated residents, while 25 (13%) 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 13.6 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 55.8 new cases per 100,000 population. Residents who were 20 to 29 years of age had the highest rate at 131.1 per 100,000 population. The rates among 30 to 39-year-olds (86.2 per 100,000) and 0 to 19-year-olds (73.4 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 10.6 new cases per 100 000 population, compared to 17.6 cases per 100 000 in the previous 7 days.
• Of the 30 new cases in our service area in the past week, 21 were a close contact of confirmed case. 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. One (1) case was travel-related, while 8 had no known epidemiological link. None of the new cases were linked to an outbreak.
• Twenty-four (24) cases reported this week reside in Greater Sudbury, while 4 cases reside in Sudbury East and 2 reside 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 September 2 and September 8, Public Health identified 22 people as having had high-risk close contact with a case of COVID-19. This represents an average of 1.0 high-risk close contacts per local case reported in the past 7 days, compared to 2.0 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 August 25 to August 31, compared to 0.7% for the previous 7 days.
• For the period of September 1 to September 7, the effective reproductive number (Rt) was 1.05 for Northern Ontario, and 1.03 for Ontario overall.

Vaccination Program Update

• To date, a total of 287 130 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered to residents in Sudbury and districts. Thus far, 149 650 people have received their first dose of vaccine, and 137 480 people have been fully vaccinated (current as of 4 p.m. September 8, 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 8, 2021, a total of 3 157 vaccine doses were administered.
• Overall, 85.2% of Sudbury and districts residents aged 12+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, compared to 84.0% for all Ontario residents aged 12+.
• Second doses have been received by 78.3% of those aged 12+ in Sudbury and districts compared to 77.6% of Ontarians of the same age.
• 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 back to school can be an exciting and stressful time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong Minds Strong Kids (strongmindsstrongkids.org) offers parents and guardians strategies on how to help kids and teens manage stress. This includes tuning into your own stress, nurturing supportive relationships, noticing signs of stress, and putting coping strategies into action.
• The Medical Officer of Health strongly recommends that businesses implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy for their workplace. Public Health Sudbury & Districts advises workplaces to have a learning module available to help employees make an informed choice regarding their vaccination status. Check out the workplace toolkit on phsd.ca which includes a policy template and training module that can help employees make an informed decision.
• Planning on dining in a restaurant or going to the gym in the next few weeks? The Government of Ontario announced that, starting September 22, select settings (Government of Ontario). will require proof of vaccination for entry. Individuals will need to be fully vaccinated (had two doses at least two weeks earlier) to enter certain settings. Book your vaccine appointment today or download your proof of vaccination (Government of Ontario).
• Follow our Top 5 personal protective measures to stay safe as we start to return indoors. Get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from those you do not live with. Wear a face covering indoors and outdoors if physical distancing is not possible. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Stay home when sick and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
• As children return to school and daycare this week it is very important that friends, family, adult influencers, and caregivers of these individuals be fully vaccinated with two doses. This will help create a “ring of protection” for those who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about clinics at ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
• Get fully vaccinated with both doses of the vaccine for better and longer protection against COVID-19. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccination, please talk to trusted sources such as Public Health immunizers, your health care provider, pharmacists, or visit ca. Getting your first or second dose is easier than ever with pop-up clinics, mobile clinics, and appointment-based or walk-in clinics. You can also check with your pharmacy or primary care provider’s office. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics for information on clinic dates and locations.

What’s new

• Sudbury and districts has hit the 85% mark of eligible individuals receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine! Way to go! Help us get to 90% fully vaccinated. For a list of vaccine opportunities, visit ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.

Message from Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health

I am thrilled that in-person learning has started in area schools this week. Although we still have many hurdles to overcome as we deal with the fourth wave of COVID-19, having students back in the classroom is a welcome sight. From the beginning of the pandemic, protecting in-person learning has been critically important. As we have learned, the COVID-19 situation in schools reflects what we are seeing in the community. The best thing we can all do to support our schools and our communities is to get vaccinated and follow all the COVID-safe behaviours every day. We have just reached 85% coverage of eligible individuals receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is tremendous but the work is not done. The Delta variant of concern combined with moving activities indoors for the fall season will create more challenges. Please encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

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).