Case #34 of COVID-19 is being reported by Public Health Algoma.
The health unit is asking anyone who may have travelled on an Air Canada flight on September 22nd to notify their local health authority.
This latest case is self-isolating and close contacts have also been notified.
Anyone who travelled on Air Canada flight 8317 on September 22, 2020, seated in rows 4-8 inclusive should contact Algoma Public Health at 705-759-5404 (toll-free 1-866-892-0172, ext. 5404) or their local public health unit
A look at the numbers
Our province reported 566 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, 70 percent of them in Toronto, Peel Region, and Ottawa.
Most were in people under the age of 40.
Seven more deaths were also reported, bringing the toll to 29-hundred and 75.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says some of the new infections and deaths come after a review of data in Toronto, and occurred over the summer.
The number of people being treated in hospital has risen to 169, but several hospitals across the province have yet to report their weekend numbers.
Two federal support programs available
Canadians can start applying today for two new financial assistance programs rushed through Parliament last week.
Those who can’t work because they’re taking care of someone who has contracted the virus, or for a child whose school or daycare has been closed, can receive up to 500 dollars a week for 26 weeks.
There’s also a two-week sick-leave benefit of one-thousand dollars for people who have contracted the virus or have an underlying medical condition that puts them at risk.
Starting Thanksgiving Monday, those who lose their jobs due to COVID-19 can apply for a new program that replaces the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
Testing by appointment only
Health experts are warning that the number of new COVID-19 cases will be artificially low in the coming days, as the province changes testing guidelines.
Walk-in tests at centres across the province ended Saturday.
Starting tomorrow, tests will only be done by appointment after an initial assessment by health authorities.
Provincial officials say the limitation is needed to help deal with the massive backlog in tests still awaiting results, now at almost 79-thousand.
How to spend Thanksgiving
Canada’s top medical official is urging us to plan ahead for the Thanksgiving Day holiday to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Doctor Theresa Tam says it won’t be the carefree Thanksgiving of the past.
Instead, Tam says we should limit our Thanksgiving dinners to those living in our household, and use technology to hold “virtual celebrations” with others.
She also suggests any gatherings be held outdoors….with physical distancing measures in place.