New COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the region.
Algoma Public Health's reporting fourteen in the Sault Ste. Marie area - nearly all stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing the health unit to 723, with 168 "active", including fourteen in hospital.
This comes after the health unit's medical officer of health issued an order for anyone in Algoma who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection - or who's identified as a close contact - to follow isolation requirements and other public health direction, while provincial capacity limits and related physical distancing requirements will return for Sault Ste. Marie businesses and organizations starting tomorrow, along with strengthened masking requirements for indoor and outdoor organized public events - proof of vaccination will also be required for anyone twelve or older to actively participate in organized sports in Algoma starting Friday, though there are medical exemptions.
Similar measures took effect for Greater Sudbury - and, in the case of the proof of vaccination for sports, the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts - as Public Health Sudbury and Districts has also seen surging cases.
The health's most recently reported 78 in Greater Sudbury, six in the Sudbury District, and three in the Manitoulin District, bringing its total to 3338.
Despite that, the number "active" declined to 262, including two in the western part of the Sudbury District, five in the eastern part, twelve in the Manitoulin District, and the remaining 243 in Greater Sudbury.
PHSD is holding "appointment-only" vaccination clinics at the Chapleau Recreation Centre today and tomorrow.