Reopening in Ontario …
By August life may be back to some sort of normal.
That’s the plan according to the provincial government.
First off if you are a golfer or a tennis player, you’ll be able to play on Saturday.
Marinas, skate parks, outdoor sports parks like soccer fields, ball diamonds, and basketball courts will be allowed to re-open and people can gather outside in groups of five for the Victoria Day weekend.
If by mid-June vaccination levels get to 60-percent of the adult population with a first dose and ICU levels are manageable then outdoor dining, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, day camps, camping, and outdoor pools can reopen.
Non-essential retail can also reopen at a 15-percent capacity.
In mid-July or two weeks after a 70-percent vaccination rate is achieved, then some personal care could reopen, outdoor movie theatres and music events could start to welcome guests.
Up to 25 people could gather outside with 5 people allowed inside.
By August with an 80-percent vaccination rate, life would ultimately return to normal with gyms reopened, indoor dining, and religious services allowed.
Larger indoor and outdoor gatherings would be permissible and seated events would be able to resume. Each stage of the reopening would be done at 21-day intervals.
Schools reopening still up in the air …
Whether schools will re-open before the summer break is still up in the air with the Ontario government.
Premier Doug Ford says they have to get consensus from all of the doctors and the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health before moving forward.
Ford says he’s concerned about modelling that shows reopening the schools could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases by eleven percent, which the premier says we can’t afford right now.
Ford adds they also have to deal with the teachers who he says have threatened an injunction against going back to in-person learning before all teachers are vaccinated.
A look at the local numbers …
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 in Greater Sudbury.
Considering resolved cases, there are 45 active cases in the agency’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North has 12 admitted patients, seven positives and the other five waiting for test results.
The hospital has four people in intensive care.
Algoma Public Health is reporting five new cases, all in the Sault Ste. Marie.
Considering resolved cases, there are 36 active cases with two individuals in hospital.
Algoma Public Health has also declared an outbreak at the Ontario Finnish Resthome following confirmation of COVID-19 in one staff and three residents
The health agency is working closely with the home’s care team to take further preventive actions to protect staff and residents, and to support the care team in putting heightened infection prevention and control measures in place that will reduce the risk of further spread.
Shoppers Drug Mart in Elliot Lake selected for Pfizer vaccine
Another local pharmacy will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Elliot Lake’s Shoppers Drug Mart owner Ana Lees says the pharmacy expects to receive some Pfizer vaccine supply this week.
She says people 18 years of age and over are eligible and appointments can be booked on the online booking system and they will also be calling people who are on their waiting list, pending availability.
Lees adds the pharmacy administered more than 700 AstraZeneca vaccinations last month, but the new vaccine is Pfizer and more is expected in the near future.
