Leadership with the Northwestern Health Unit says there’s an increased risk of COVID-19 in the region, after announcing 24 new cases of COVID-19 and an outbreak at a Fort Frances school yesterday morning.
Staff say clusters of cases are being seen in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances, and the number of cases and risk is likely higher than reported across the region, as some individuals choose not to get tested when it’s recommended to do so.
In the Northwestern Health Unit’s catchment area, 61 active cases were being reported as of December 16. They included 27 in Fort Frances, 20 in Kenora, 2 in Dryden, 2 in Emo, 4 in Rainy River, 1 in Red Lake and 5 in Sioux Lookout, with 3 hospitalizations due to the illness across the region.
In response to the recent increase, the NWHU is recommending that effective immediately, residents significantly limit the number of people they choose to gather indoors with, especially over the holiday season.
“The less people you interact closely with, the lower your risk is of getting and spreading COVID-19”, says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU.
“It is important for people’s well-being to get together and see others, however, doing so indoors comes with more risk. An outdoor activity is safer, and I urge people to consider moving gatherings outdoors to protect your friends and family,” says Dr. Young Hoon.
Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table says due to the new Omicron variant, cases of COVID-19 in the province are on pace to double every three days. Ontario reported another 2,421 cases of COVID-19 yesterday.
The table is now calling for immediate and more stringent public health measures to combat the Omicron variant and prevent a surge of ICU admissions, including a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown.
Announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday afternoon, as of Monday, December 20, all residents above the age of 18 years old will be eligible for their third dose of the vaccine, as long as it's been at least 3 months or 84 days since your second dose of the vaccine.
Residents will be able to book their appointment through Ontario’s booking portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies and primary care settings.