As the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues across Canada, case numbers remain low in northwestern Ontario – for now.
Ontario reported a roughly 33 per cent jump in its province-wide test positivity rate on November 9, its highest rate since mid-September, as the province reported an additional 441 cases of COVID-19.
“There have been increases in cases across Ontario for different jurisdictions,” explained Medical Officer of Health with the Northwestern Health Unit, Dr. Kit Young Hoon, during her weekly conference with regional media members yesterday.
“It’s affecting different areas to different degrees, so it’s difficult to predict what will happen for northwestern Ontario. That’s why we’re monitoring it, and why it’s so important for everyone to follow all public health measures.”
As of November 9, the NWHU is reporting 3 active COVID-19 cases in the Dryden / Red Lake region, and has reported a total of 1,200 cases since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
“At this point, there’s no indication that there is community transmission happening in the NWHU [area]. We are seeing some cases, quite a few of them are travel-related. Things are generally low-risk within our region.”
Across the region, 89.5 per cent of eligible residents have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 84.1 per cent have their second dose. Both numbers are similar to Ontario’s, where 88.5 per cent have their first dose and 85.1 per cent have their second dose.
As well, Young Hoon explains that many of their cases are coming from those who are unvaccinated, although, they don’t track the number of vaccinated cases regularly as the number is usually too small, and only gets re-evaluated as more cases roll in.
“People who are vaccinated are significantly less likely to get COVID-19,” says Young Hoon. “Most of our cases tend to be unvaccinated. That’s the general trend that we’re seeing. Vaccinated individuals are getting good protection from the vaccine.”
As of November 6, Ontario began offering COVID-19 booster shots to additional sets of residents if at least six months have passed since their second dose. They include those aged 70 and over, healthcare workers and Indigenous people, and Young Hoon says more residents will become eligible in the coming weeks.