Ten new COVID-19 cases in Greater Sudbury, 22 active in less than two weeks

File Photo/Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Sudbury — Public Health Sudbury and Districts confirmed 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday evening, bringing the total in the last week-and-a-half to 22 in the Greater Sudbury area.

Seven of the 10 new cases are individuals 20-years-old and under. A male and a female in their 40s have also tested positive along with a female in her 60s.

“It is very concerning to be reporting on another 10 cases and to know that this now brings our total to 22 new cases of COVID-19 in just the last week and a half. However, even more worrisome is that of these 22 new cases, 8 are individuals with no known exposure. That’s 36% of new cases with no known source,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

Public Health officials say this information indicates that, in this latest spike, community spread is likely a factor.

“Cases of COVID-19 that are not linked to travel or to other cases means that there is community spread of the virus. Community spread is one of the measures used by the province’s Command Table to assess how we are doing with reopening. It is something I am very concerned about because no one wants to go backwards,” added Dr. Sutcliffe.

One case in this latest cluster is an employee of Pioneer Manor, according to public health. This has prompted an outbreak to be declared at the facility.

Through contact tracing, if you are not contacted by Public Health, you are not considered a close contact.