A surge in COVID-19 in the region has triggered the return of measures for Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region.
As it reports its highest COVID-19 activity ever, Algoma Public Health's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Loo, is legally ordering anyone in Algoma who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 - or who is identified as a close contact - to follow isolation requirements and other public health direction, facing a fine of $750 or up to $5000 a day for breaching that rule.
Starting Wednesday, November 17th, Sault Ste. Marie businesses and organizations must also reinstate recently lifted provincial capacity limits and physical distancing requirements - as well as strengthened masking requirements for indoor and outdoor organized public events - a move that already happened for Greater Sudbury, due to its surge in cases.
Starting this Friday, November 19th, anyone in Algoma who is twelve or older and actively participating in organized sports will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a medical exemption - a similar requirement took effect for the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, including Chapleau, at midnight last night.
This comes after Loo warned people of all ages in all Algoma communities are at risk in this surge - given people routinely travel between the communities - urging everyone to: stay home and isolate if sick, even with mild symptoms; cut back on unnecessary activities with unmasked face-to-face close contact with those you don't live with; and get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The health unit's reported 102 new cases over the last five days - one in Central and East Algoma, the rest in the Sault Ste. Marie area, with nearly all stemming from close contact with a known case.
It currently has 155 "active" cases, with fourteen in hospital.
It's also warning of multiple potential exposures: on a Porter Airlines flight from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie October 31st; at the Rockstar Bar in Sault Ste. Marie on November 6th; at GoodLife Fitness in Sault Ste. Marie November 8th; and at Sault Area Hospital's 3B area between November 9th and 12th.
The Algoma District School Board - meanwhile - has reported individuals at two more of its Sault Ste. Marie schools, the Pinewood and Isabel Fletcher public schools, tested positive, while Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General has reported at least a dozen at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, and Tenaris Algoma Tubes has seen at least seven.