Sault Ste. Marie high COVID case numbers could last two weeks – Sault Star

Article content

It may take several weeks for the Algoma region to see a drop in positive COVID cases with new restrictions that came into effect Wednesday.

Article content

APH implemented new restrictions geared to reducing the spread of growing COVID cases across the district.

Last Friday, APH issued a statement asking residents to take three key actions to protect themselves and one another.

It followed Monday with implementing mandatory measures for businesses and individuals.

“Whenever these types of broad measures are taken, it does take time before we see their effects. Usually, it’s a couple of weeks,” Dr. Jennifer Loo, Algoma’s medical officer of health, told the Sault Star Wednesday.

The new measures often take some time to understand what is required, to put the measures in place and to cut down close contact between individuals.

“The other thing we need to note is that we’re still seeing cases right now of what has been happening over the past two weeks. Sometimes things get a little worse before they can get better,” she said.

Higher numbers of testing and a potential delay in results can also attribute to increasing case numbers, she said.

Loo said APH will be watching the numbers and she hopes that they will stabilize and start to come down soon.

“That’s when we know we are heading in the right direction,” she said.

This ‘surge’ is only part of the fourth wave that Algoma has seen since mid-July, similar to the rest of the province. That’s when the Delta variant really began to transmit across the region, she said.

“This present surge is a very intense peak of the fourth wave that we are in right now,” she said. “It is very stressful for us all to be in such a high surge but what I am thankful for is that our biggest surge came at a time when the vast majority of our community members are fully immunized and that makes a huge difference.”

Article content

The difference is that those infected are getting more mild infections and it shows the vaccine provides some good protection against the virus, Loo said.

APH’s message is the same to those who have not been vaccinated or totally vaccinated, to get the jab. Clinics by appointments, walk-ins and pop-up clinics, are continuing across the district. Those eligible for third doses can also receive them now.

APH’s new orders require anyone in Algoma who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, or who is identified as a close contact, to follow isolation requirements and other public health direction.

The MOH has issued a Section 22 Class Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, effective immediately across Algoma.

Not complying with this legal order is an offence and a person may be liable for a set fine of $750 or otherwise of up to $5,000 per day or part of each day that the offence continues, on conviction.

APH is also reverting back to Reopening Ontario Act by ordering businesses and organizations, including indoor and outdoor public events, to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres.

The regulations include restaurants, bars, personal care services, indoor and outdoor recreational amenities, fitness centres, casinos, bingo halls and meeting and event spaces, among others.

Currently, APH reports there are 209 active cases across the district, including 15 hospitalizations. There are five active outbreaks across the region including Isabel Fletcher Public School and Grand View Public School. Thessalon Public School has also reported one positive case. Sault Area Hospital’s 3B unit also has a respiratory-COVID-19 outbreak along with a unit at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre. Tenaris Algoma has a facility-wide outbreak. Extendicare Maple View Echo Bay Floor is said to have a respiratory-rhinovirus outbreak.

Article content

Those outbreaks are part of the spike, Loo said, and some can be attributed to the loosening of restrictions where individuals may become more complacent with their masking or brushing off sniffles or sore throats as the common cold.

“That’s where we see transmission happening and once it gets into a particular setting, and people are not masked or distanced, like in an office or a break room for example, it can spread very quickly,” she said.

Meanwhile, Loo said, all health-care service providers have been affected throughout the pandemic, especially with more work required to do contact tracing.

“It’s been very tense now for many, many days now,” she said.

APH has trained and redeployed some of its staff within the agency to help with the surge demand. It also works with other public health units across Northern Ontario and beyond and relies on mutual aid assistance from others.

Sault Area Hospital’s manager of communications Brandy Sharp Young said current staffing levels at the hospital are stable.

“The Assessment Centre has experienced extremely high daily volumes over the last week and daily appointment slots have been filling by late morning. We are working hard to increase capacity at the Assessment Centre by increasing staffing levels, shortening appointment times to accommodate more patients, and working with our partners on collaborative solutions,” she said in an emailed response.

Patients are asked to book online where possible at https://bit.ly/3kxh8x2.

Article content

SAH laboratory staff are working extended hours to support the increase in testing and Health Science North Laboratory Team is also assisting to ensure testing is completed in a timely manner. Test results can take up to three to five days as a result of the surge.

In the meantime, urgent surgeries and procedures will continue. Some elective procedures have been scheduled but, to date, surgeries have not been cancelled. Activities are reviewed daily and in-person visits may be rescheduled to virtual or phone calls where possible.

“The recent surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations has resulted in greater than normal mobilization efforts by all our health-care teams across the hospital to ensure we have the appropriate capacity to safely care for all our patients,” she said, and staff continue to work “tirelessly.” Staffing levels have been adjusted where necessary and steps have been taken to build capacity by facilitating appropriate discharges where possible.

The public is reminded that only vaccinated essential caregivers are permitted to enter SAH until further notice.

APH reminds people to stay home when sick, even with mild symptoms, wear a mask, social distance and get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so.

“We’re asking people who are not vaccinated to roll up their sleeves and get their first shot and that will put them in good timing to get fully immunized before the holidays,” Loo said.