Algoma Public Health

Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

Get the latest on testing, the current situation in Algoma, public health guidance, and what you need to know

Take the Ministry of Health’s Self-Assessment to help determine if you need to seek care.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:

Review the guidance for symptomatic persons here.
Call Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 if you have concerns or question about your symptoms.
Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency, and you have developed severe symptoms requiring medical attention (e.g. chest pain, shortness of breath).

1	General COVID-19 Information Want to know more about COVID-19? Start here, with these reliable sources.
2	Current Situation in Algoma Get to know what is happening across the district
3	Status of Cases in Algoma The status of COVID-19 cases here in Algoma.
4	Vaccine Clinics in Algoma Find a vaccine clinic near you.
5	Where to get COVID-19 testing in Algoma Locate assessment centres and asymptomatic testing options.
6	COVID-19: Test Results Get the results of your COVID-19 test here.
7	Case and Contact Guide Information for those who test positive for COVID-19, high-risk contacts, and workplaces
8	Face Coverings Working together with physical distancing and handwashing; face coverings provide an added layer of defense against COVID-19.
9	COVID-19: Safety at Work Providing guidance for employers and staff in a safe return to work. Access your COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Toolkit here.
10	Indigenous Health & COVID-19 We provide services in partnership with First Nations and Métis leaders for Indigenous community members living in urban and rural communities, and acknowledges the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being in Algoma, and across Turtle Island.
11	COVID-19: Safe Return to School Protecting our schools by working with local school boards to implement provincial standards and guidance to support students and staff
12	Travel Information Get familiar with the state of travel before head out. Plan ahead.
13	Contact Us Have questions? We got answers. Speak to one of our helpful COVID-19 team members today.

General COVID-19 Information

Misinformation about health issues can be harmful. Get your information about the coronavirus outbreak from current and reliable sources.

Learn more about COVID-19 from the Ontario Ministry of Health website. Stay up to date on impacted areas and travel health notices from Canadian public health officials. Get more information from these official public health sources:

Current Situation in Algoma

Actions to Protect Yourself, Your Household, and Your Workplace

1. Anyone who is sick, even with mild symptoms, must stay home and isolate away from others - regardless of whether you have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Take the COVID-19 self-assessment every day before work and complete the school screening tool before school or child care.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, isolate
Household members who are not fully immunized must also stay home until the symptomatic person's test results are available.
Isolation means you must stay home and not go to work or school. Do not gather, visit, or have visitors or playdates while you are isolating.

2. Cut back on unnecessary activities where you have unmasked, face-to-face close contact with people you don't live with. Do this even if you are fully immunized, and especially if you have vulnerable health conditions or are not fully immunized.

3. Get your COVID-19 vaccine
- Learn how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Algoma.
- Protect your workplace by putting a workplace vaccine policy in place. Use APH's COVID-19 vaccine policy toolkit for workplaces to learn more.
- If you have questions or want to talk to someone about the COVID-19 vaccine, use the free resources below:

Mandatory Testing of Travelers:

To address the risk associated with variants of concern to the health of Ontarians, all traveller 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test to enter Canada. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.

For a list of accepted test, as well as information on testing facilities and expenses per country, visit the Government of Canada's Testing for Travellers. Tests must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada. If arriving by land, you must take a molecular test in the United States within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada. Alternatively, proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days will be accepted.
Entering Canada by LAND during COVID-19:

Travellers entering Canada must follow the rules set out by the Emergency Orders under the Quarantine Act to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Failure to comply with any requirements or providing false information may result in fines, penalties or imprisonment. If you develop symptoms at any time, isolate yourself from others and contact local public health.

Effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test. This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air and can demonstrate that they have been away from Canada for less than 72 hours. This exemption extends to accompanying children under 12, and individuals with medical contraindications to vaccination.

Fully immunized persons may be randomly selected at the border to get a take home day 1 test kit. Those who are not fully immunized receive days 1 & 8. Testing is NOT conducted at the Sault Ste. Marie land border
Domestic Travel:

For information on domestic travel requirements by province, visit provincial and territorial restrictions.

As of October 30, 2021, your COVID-19 proof of vaccination needs to be shown for all:
- air passengers flying on domestic or international flights departing from airports in Canada
- rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
- marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more
For information on boarding flights, trains, and cruise ships in Canada, visit the Government of Canada's Boarding Flights and Trains in Canada.

Where to get COVID-19 testing in Algoma

Symptomatic testing will be available for high-risk individuals, and individuals who work in high-risk settings.
Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.
Testing for asymptomatic contacts of cases is generally no longer recommended, except for high-risk contacts/individuals that are part of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, as recommended by public health.
Positive rapid antigen tests will no longer require PCR confirmation.
Based on the latest scientific evidence, individuals with COVID-19 should isolate for five days if they are fully vaccinated or under the age of 12, and if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

Learn more about case and contact management and detailed guidance to protect yourself and others.

Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Area Hospital

Hours: 7:30 am - 7:30 pm, 7 days a week

Contact: (705) 759-3434 ext. 7152

Book Online Now!: COVID Assessment Centre (CAC)

Details:

Testing for COVID-19 through the Assessment Centre is open to any individual three months of age or over, by appointment only.

NOTE: Children under the age of 3 months will continue to be swabbed through the hospital’s Emergency Department.