The local numbers in Sudbury, Manitoulin and Algoma districts
Algoma Public Health is reporting 32 new cases of COVID-19 and a low-risk public exposure.
The new cases originated as follows 31 – Sault Ste. Marie & Area and 1 – Central & East Algoma
The newly reported cases acquired their infection as follows:
16 – close contact of a confirmed case
1 – international travel
6 – unknown source of infection
9 – under investigation
There are currently 271 active cases in the Algoma District with 10 individuals hospitalized.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting a decrease from 421 down to 375 active cases.
Health Sciences North reports it has 29 admitted patients, 20 confirmed and nine waiting for test results. Of the 20, seven are in the ICU, and of the nine, one person is also in intensive care.
Coronavirus forecast into 2022
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says the latest COVID-19 forecasts are “disconcerting.”
Modelling released by the government’s Science Advisory Table shows a rise in the number of cases expected well into February, as more activities move indoors.
Doctor Kieran Moore says that was to be expected, but he’s concerned that increasing numbers of diagnoses will put our hospital system under strain again as early as January.
The advisory group says we need to speed up our immunization efforts, especially among younger children, to head off what could be a fifth wave.
And it adds their forecasts don’t take into account any effects of the new Omicron (O-mih-kron) strain.
Sick leave support
The New Democrats say it’s not enough especially during a pandemic.
The Ford government is extending its program of providing three days paid sick leave again now letting it run until the end of next July.
It had been scheduled to expire on December 31st.
Employers are reimbursed up to 200 dollars a day for employees taking time off.
The move comes as new projections show a continuing increase in COVID-19 infections is likely to continue through the winter.
More than 235-thousand Ontarians have already taken advantage of the program, taking an average of two days off.
Mandated vaccinations for federally regulated businesses
The Trudeau government is expanding its mandatory vaccination requirements to all federally-regulated businesses.
It was two months ago that Ottawa made vaccinations compulsory for employees in the air, interprovincial rail and marine transportation sectors.
By early next year, that will be expanded to cover all other industries that come under federal employment regulations, such as banks and telecommunications businesses.
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan says making vaccinations mandatory at all federally-regulated workplaces will protect the employees, their families, and their communities.
About 955-thousand people are employed by businesses across Canada that come under federal rules.