Sudbury public health unit suspends COVID-19 risk index due to downward trend in disease

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is taking a break from the COVID-19 Risk Index it launched last year.

The index looked at indicators such as hospital admissions, active outbreaks and sewage testing to give a level of COVID-19 risk.

The risks were presented as low, medium, high and very high, along with indicators of the level of precaution people should take to protect themselves from the virus.

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health and chief executive of the health unit, said she made the tool “inactive” on Monday because the risk of COVID-19 has gone down.

“I think the risk of serious illness has gone down over time and it’s really because of the vaccinations we’ve had,” she said.

“We have very good coverage for two doses and reasonable coverage for booster doses in our area.”

Sutcliffe said the health unit recommends people at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations and continue to wear masks in higher risk situations.

While the risk index is now inactive, Sutcliffe said the health unit continues to update its website three times a week with the latest cases and outbreaks reported in the area.

She added that the COVID-19 Risk Index could resume if they detect an increase in cases or new variants of concern.