Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a few more COVID-19 cases, as tighter restrictions are implemented for the region.
The provincial government announced late Friday that the health unit is entering the yellow "Protect" category of its recently implemented tiered restriction framework, limiting hours of operation for certain settings, reducing recreational program sizes, adding enforcement and fines, and enhancing education for high-risk settings.
Speaking Friday, the health unit's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, noted case counts were at an all-time high with 42 of its 204 total cases reported over the previous week - and an average of 12 "high risk" contacts for each case - emphasizing the tougher restrictions "must be accompanied by a re-commitment of everyone to the basic public health prevention measures", limiting travel outside the home to essential purposes, limiting in-person social interactions to those in your household, staying home if you have any symptoms of illness - even mild - physically distancing and wearing proper face coverings properly while out, and practising proper hand washing.
The health unit reported three more cases over the weekend - two in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District - one is outbreak-related, the other two still under investigation - the only active outbreak in the region is the Pioneer Manor long-term care home in Greater Sudbury, though the health unit warns of potential high-risk exposure for anyone who attended the Foothill Farm Service farm equipment garage in Massey between November 4th and 6th.
PHSD has reported a total of 207 cases, 51 of which are still "active", while Algoma Public Health has 12 "active" - it remains in the green "Prevent" category.