A look at local numbers …
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting one new case of COVID-19 in the Greater Sudbury area.
Considered cases that have been already resolved, there are 28 active cases within the unit’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North is reporting it has seven admitted patients, one has tested positive for COVID-19 and six waiting for test results.
The one positive case is in intensive care.
And Algoma Public Health is reporting no new cases of COVID 19.
Stage two reopening today
All of Ontario, except the Waterloo region, has now entered Stage Two of the government’s reopening plan.
As of today, limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings have been increased, personal care services such as barber shops and beauty salons can reopen, capacity limits for retail outlets are now higher, and stores inside malls are being allowed to open.
While Premier Doug Ford has mused about moving into Stage Three of the reopening program as soon as possible, our province’s new chief medical officer of health says we won’t see the next step anytime soon.
Doctor Kieran Moore says he’ll wait the full 21 days between Stages Two and Three, to monitor the rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
Moore says that, while vaccination levels are steadily improving, the Delta variant, which now forms the majority of new cases, is much more dangerous than other versions.
Reopening long-term care
Ontario is easing more restrictions in long-term care homes as part of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.
The province’s new Minister of Long-Term Care, Rod Phillips said the changes kick in next Wednesday to give homes time to prepare.
In addition, cohorting of residents can be relaxed during outdoor activities and there will no longer be a limit on the number of people who can be designated as a caregiver by a resident or their substitute decision-maker.
