A look at the numbers …
Public Health Sudbury is reporting one new case of COVID-19 in the Greater Sudbury area.
Considering resolved cases, there are now 19 active cases in the region.
In its weekly report, the agency states there have been no COVID related deaths but cautions six of the new cases reported in the last week were variants of concerns.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been a total of 2,110 local cases of which 2,087 are resolved, and 30 people have died in the service area.
Nine-hundred and thirty-eight have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant of concern.
Health Sciences North is reporting there are seven admitted patients, four that tested positive and three waiting for test results.
Of the four, two are in the intensive care unit.
And Algoma Public Health has no new cases to report.
Considering resolved cases, there are six active cases of COVID-19 in the Algoma District.
Two people from outside the district are hospitalized and receiving treatment locally.
Ontario added just under 600 new COVID-19 cases yesterday at 590 total.
The recovery rate is steady at 97 per cent with more recoveries than new cases reported over the last day.
Step one begins
Things are starting to get back to normal with Ontario now in Step 1 of its reopening plan.
With it comes the return of limited retail shopping and patio dining
The province was originally supposed to move into the stage on June 14th but with new daily coronavirus cases remaining below 1,000 and vaccinations ramping up, provincial officials agreed to kick-start the Roadmap to Reopen a few days early.
Patio dining with a maximum of four patrons per table is now allowed while indoor dining remains off-limits.
Essential retail stores, such as pharmacies and grocery stores, can now operate at 25 per cent capacity while discount and big box stores are no longer restricted to selling certain goods.
Limited non-essential retail shopping for street entrance locations can resume at 15 per cent capacity.
Modelling ie COVID-19
Our province is seeing a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases.
It comes as health officials say the threat of a fourth wave caused by the delta variant still exists but is unlikely.
New COVID-19 modelling data released yesterday (Thursday) depicts a much better control over the pandemic in Ontario than in previous updates.
According to the modelling, cases should continue to decline for at least the next 10 days in the province.
Back to work for air crews
Air Canada says it will recall more than 2,000 employees as it prepares for an increase in demand for flights, while also extending the deadline for COVID-19 refunds.
The airline said the employees being recalled will include various roles, including flight attendants, and will be brought back in stages in June and July.
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said the airline moved to recall the workers because it is seeing vaccinations increase, COVID-19 cases decline and governments ease restrictions.
The country’s largest airline also said it has extended the deadline to submit a request for refund for flights or vacation packages by 30 days until July 12.