A look at the local COVID-19 numbers
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting two new cases of COVID-19, both in the Greater Sudbury area.
Considering resolved cases, there are now 31 active cases within the health unit’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North is reporting 14 admitted patients, eight who have tested positive for the virus and six waiting for test results.
Of the eight, six are in the intensive care.
Algoma Public Health is reporting two new cases, one in the Sault Ste. Marie area, the second in the Elliot Lake area.
Considering resolved cases, there are 24 active cases with the Algoma District with three individuals hospitalized.
Two of the three do not reside in the district, but are receiving medical treatment.
Back to school possible
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says he’d like to see Ontario’s schools back to in-class learning before the province launches its three-stage reopening plan on June14th.
Doctor David Williams says most health units in the province support the reopening of schools, shut down last month to head off a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Williams says the situation is much different now than when the closure was announced.
He’s confident the schools will be safe for everyone…..students, teachers, and support staff.
One man dies after receiving AstraZenaca vaccine
Provincial health officials are confirming the first death from a rare blood clot condition following administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
A man in his 40s passed away after receiving his first dose in late April.
There have been 16 cases of blood clots developing in Ontario residents from some 850-thousand doses of the AstraZeneca product.
The province has halted the vaccine’s use for first inoculations, but will offer it for second doses.
The latest research shows the threat of the rare disorder falls much further when used in a second inoculation.
Where we stand
Canada now ranks third among the G-20 industrialized nations in per-capita rates of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says more than half of Canadians have now received at least one inoculation and vaccination programs will be stepped up again next month as shipments increase again.
But the country’s chief medical officer of health says we could see another surge in infections in about two weeks’  time.
Doctor Theresa Tam is concerned that gatherings over the long weekend may reverse the progress we’ve made over the last several weeks.
She notes the seven-day average of daily new cases has declined by 40 per cent since reaching a peak in mid-April.