Another COVID-19 death in Sudbury – more eligibility for vaccine
Public Health & Sudbury is reporting another COVID-19 related death.
It’s the region’s 29th COVID-19 related death, the first since May 2nd.
The health unit extended condolences to family and friends adding no further details will be released.
The agency also reports the province is opening vaccine eligibility to everyone 18 and over ahead of schedule.
With 2.2 million vaccine doses arriving in the province this week ahead of the Victoria Day weekend, the government says all adults can book their first shot appointment beginning today.
People who are 17 and will turn 18 this year will also be able to book an appointment for the Pfizer vaccine only, as that is the only dose approved for youth 12 and over.
The expansion to all adults over 18 is a week ahead of schedule.
Provincially, political leaders in COVID-19 hotspots in Ontario are expressing concern with the provincial government’s decision to open up vaccination appointments to all those 18 years of age and older, starting today.
The move comes after a big increase in vaccine shipments, advancing the schedule by a week.
That’s also caused the province to shift its vaccine distribution back to a per-capita allocation, instead of sending 50 per cent to hotspots.
Toronto Mayor John Tory is concerned that supplies in the G-T-H-A will run short, as local health officials cope with rising demand.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says they’ll send more vaccine to the hotspot areas if they run short.
A look at the local numbers …
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting one new case of COVID-19 in Sudbury for Monday.
Considering resolved cases, there are 56 active cases in the agency’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North has 12 admitted patients, eight positives and the other five waiting for test results.
The hospital has four people in intensive care.
Algoma Public Health is reporting four new cases, all from Sault Ste. Marie.
Considering resolved cases, there are 28 active cases with one individual in hospital.
Getting outside …
Some outdoor recreation will be allowed to resume soon.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says they’ll allow activities like tennis and golf on or before the stay-at-home order is due to expire on June 2nd.
But she says reopening immediately would be irresponsible.
Health experts, including the government’s own Science Advisory Table, says many non-team outdoor sports would be safe to allow, as long as proper COVID-19 protocols were in place.
New head of the vaccine rollout program
Brigadier-General Krista Brodie has been named the new head of the federal government’s vaccine rollout program.
She replaces Major-General Deny Fortin, who was abruptly pulled from the post for what the Defence department calls a “military investigation.”
Reports say Fortin is the subject of a complaint about sexual misconduct, dating back more than 30 years to his time as a student in military college.