Rising COVID-19 trends in the region: Public Health urging caution

Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to closely monitor COVID-19 trends in the region and is reminding the public to take necessary precautions every day to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19. The local COVID-19 risk level has been at “moderate” for the last two weeks and increasing trends signal and a potential increase to “high risk” in the coming week.

“Following a two-week uptick of COVID-19 trends, it’s vitally important that people take extra steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health for the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. “The BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is now the dominant sub-variant in the province. Emerging data on BA.5 suggest it has similar severity to previous Omicron sub-variants, but it is likely more transmissible. There is also evidence of increased reinfection among those who were infected with earlier strains of Omicron. For all these reasons, I am reminding people to use as many layers of personal protection as possible to protect yourself, your close ones, and our health care system.”

The pandemic is surging again locally. For the Public Health Sudbury & Districts area this week, 62 new COVID-19 cases have been reported per day, on average—compared with just 14 cases per day reported in late June. There are currently 298 known active cases, a number that has not been reported since May 11, 2022, when cases were falling (COVID-19 data will be updated online by 4 p.m.). These numbers are a gross underestimation of the actual cases as they include only those who are eligible for PCR testing under current provincial guidelines.

Unfortunately, local hospitals are also reporting increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients admitted in the past week, with 63 patients in hospital with confirmed COVID-19 as of July 20, 2022, up from fewer than 13 cases on July 1, 2022.

Public Health continues to see both new cases and re-infections in the community. It is important to note that while a previous COVID-19 infection may provide some degree of short-term immunity, immunity does decrease over time and a person’s risk of severe illness may also increase with each re-infection (Public Health Ontario). Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations to boost the immune response is our best form of continued COVID-19 protection.

Multiple layers of protection, including getting vaccinated and staying up to date, wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor or crowded spaces (including outdoors), keeping indoor spaces well ventilated, physical distancing, handwashing, using rapid antigen testing (RAT) or seeking PCR testing (if eligible), screening for symptoms and staying home when ill, will all help to slow the spread of COVID-19.

It is highly recommended individuals receive all COVID-19 vaccines for which they are eligible. To book an appointment, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200) or attend one of our many walk-in opportunities. Public Health Sudbury & Districts is actively planning clinic opportunities for COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to under 5 years as early as Thursday, July 28. Opportunities vary by geographic area and booking online and through the local call centre will begin July 28; no walk-ins will be accepted at this time.

The Public Health Sudbury & Districts COVID-19 Risk Index is a useful tool for people to assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission locally and make informed decisions about how to protect themselves. The Index has four risk levels—low, moderate, high, and very high and is updated every week by Wednesday morning. Each level has corresponding recommended behaviours for COVID-safe practices.

For more information about COVID-19 and COVID-safe behaviours, please visit phsd.ca or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).