Algoma Public Health

Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

Last Updated: April 11, 2021

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

Current Status: Provincewide Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order

As of April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a third provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). These measures are being taken in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, the threat on the province's hospital system capacity, and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants.

The government is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise , or for work that cannot be done remotely.

Learn more

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

If you are experiencing symptoms of the COVID-19 contact:

Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 or

Algoma Public Health: 705-759-5404 or 1-866-892-0172 ext. 5404

Hours of operation - Monday - Sunday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency

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	COVID-19: Vaccination COVID-19 vaccination information is changing rapidly in Canada and locally. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination.
5	Where to get COVID-19 testing in Algoma Have symptoms of COVID-19? Get tested.
6	COVID-19: Test Results Get the results of your COVID-19 test here.
7	Understanding Case Contact Management Get to know what contact tracing means and it's role in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
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.
10	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
11	Travel Information An official global travel advisory is in effect: all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
12	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

Ongoing COVID-19 cases have been reported across Algoma communities in the past 14 days, with evidence of community spread.
Variants of concerns (VOCs) are new strains of the COVID-19 virus that spread much more quickly and aggressively. Evidence of COVID-19 variants of concern have been detected in Algoma. All public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission continue to apply to these new variants, and need to be applied very rigorously and comprehensively.
As of April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a third provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). These measures are being taken in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, the threat on the province's hospital system capacity, and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants.

The government is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise , or for work that cannot be done remotely.
There is an ongoing risk of contracting COVID-19 in our local communities. In order to prevent uncontrolled person-to-person spread in our communities, every Algoma resident must take the following actions:
1. Anyone who is ill, even with mild symptoms, must stay home and self-isolate away from others, and all their household members must also stay home until symptomatic person's test results are available.
  - A person with COVID-19 can spread the virus to others 48 hours before they have any symptoms or know they're sick. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
  - Students and young children who go to child care must complete the COVID-19 screening checklist everyday before leaving home for school or day care
  - Adults should also complete the COVID-19 screening checklist before going to work.
2. Stay-at home order is in effect starting April 8th at 12:01 a.m. Do not gather, visit or have close contact with people you don't live with. Indoor gatherings are prohibited during this order. Carpooling, hanging out on the same couch, sharing a meal around the same table, being close than 2 metres with someone, are all examples of close contact activities. Only do these things with people you live with.
  - Indoor organized public events and social gatherings are prohibited during the shutdown
  - Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 5 people, except for gatherings with members of the same household (the people you live with)
  - Work from home if possible, and allow employees to work from home if they can
  - If you live alone, you may consider having close contact with another person or household for essential support and wellbeing. The fewer close contacts, the lower the risk.
3. Wear a mask or face covering when in any business or place that is open, and in any setting where physical distancing cannot be maintained. This is now mandatory under provincial law.
  - Workers must wear PPE that protects their eyes, nose and mouth if they are providing services with 2 metres of an unmasked client (e.g. personal service settings such as hair and nail salons, food servers).
4. Avoid travel except for essential reasons and avoid travelling between zones except for essential reasons.
  - If you have traveled outside of Canada, you must stay home for 14 days. This is a mandatory requirement from the Government of Canada's emergency order under the Quarantine Act.
  - If you have recently been in close contact with other people in a setting known to be experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, whether in an Algoma community, or another Ontario or Canadian community, Algoma Public Health also recommends that you stay home for 14 days. Although this is not required under the law, it is an additional recommendation to help prevent the spread of the virus in our communities.
  - A current list of Ontario public health units with high or very high COVID-19 community transmission can be found here
  - Guidance on Cross-Border Travel into Chippewa County, Michigan
    (Updated: Wednesday, February 24, 2021)
    
    Algoma residents who regularly cross the Canada - U.S. border into Sault Ste. Marie and into Chippewa County for essential work should take the following actions even if you are exempt from federal travel and quarantine restrictions. APH acknowledges the challenges faced by essential workers, and is grateful for their role in allowing everyone to continue to receive essential goods and services.
    - Avoid cross-border travel and use virtual options if possible
    - While in Chippewa County
      - Protect yourself by avoiding crowded indoor spaces and staying 2 metres apart from other people at all times; this is important to do even when wearing a mask
      - Wear a mask or face covering at all times. If your work puts you in contact with other people where you are closer than 2 metres, use PPE to protect yourself (i.e. wear a medical mask and eye protection)
    - Once back in Algoma, follow provincial public health advice for all Ontarians by staying home as much as possible and not having close contact with people you do not live with, especially vulnerable people who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.
    - If you become sick, isolate away from others and call to get tested for COVID-19
      
      If you know of a family, friend or neighbour who must cross the border for essential reasons, consider the following ways to offer support:
    - Help pick up and deliver groceries or a prepared meal
    - Offer to help run errands in the community
    - Call or link up virtually to chat, catch-up, and stay socially connected.
  - Effective December 11, 2020 - individuals requesting a COVID-19 test for international travel clearance are no longer eligible for a publicly funded COVID-19 test in Ontario so people who need testing for this purpose have to get it done in the GTA. People who live outside the area consider travelling in advance to the GTA to complete a Fly Clear Test. Turnaround time for results is 24-48 hours. Online booking is available.
  - Mandatory Testing of Travelers - to address the risk associated with variants of concern to the health of Ontarians, the Chief Medical Officer of health is issuing a Section 22 order under Section 77.1 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, mandating on-arrival PCR COVID-19 testing for international travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport effective 12:01 a.m. on February 1, 2021. This includes flights arriving from the United States.
  - Driving to Canada - as of 11:59 pm EST, February 21, 2021, travellers entering Canada at the land border will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as toward the end of their 14-day quarantine. The Government of Canada will run 16 testing sites at ports of entry across Canada. Five ports of entry will initially be available with 11 additional as of March 4, 2021.

Algoma residents and employers who have questions about a specific exposure risk may contact APH for further guidance. Please call 705-759-5404 or 1-866-892-0172 ext. 5404.

Where to get COVID-19 testing in Algoma

Effective December 11, 2020, individuals requesting a COVID-19 test for international travel clearance are no longer eligible for a publicly funded COVID-19 test in Ontario so people who need testing for this purpose have to get it done in the GTA. People who live outside the area consider travelling in advance to the GTA to complete a Fly Clear Test. Turnaround time for results is 24-48 hours. Online booking available.

Ontario Testing Guidelines

The Ontario Government has updated testing guidelines for COVID-19 to ensure those who are at greatest risk are tested.

Those who should get tested are:

Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by APH or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
You are a resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by APH
Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ontario Ministry of Health

Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Area Hospital

Type: Assessment Centre

Hours: 8 am - 8 pm, 7 days a week

Contact: (705) 759-3434 ext. 7152

Details:

Ages 2 years and up accepted
By appointment only. Not everyone who attends the clinic will be tested.
Individuals with symptoms can call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre instead of presenting to SAH’s Emergency Department.
Drive-up appointments are now available on-site, call the appointment line for more information

Second location to get test for COVID-19:

West-End Testing Centre - CLOSED

Effective: Friday, February 26, 2021