The Northwestern Health Unit has reported the highest-ever amount of new cases of COVID-19 today in the region, with 86 new cases across their catchment area.
Today’s cases include 40 in the Sioux Lookout Health Hub, 32 in Kenora, 6 in Red Lake, 5 in Dryden, 2 in Fort Frances and 1 in Atikokan. This brings the region’s total to 307 cases of the virus.
Follow-up with the persons involved and their contacts have started according to protocols.
There are currently nine people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the region, this is an increase of three hospitalizations since the Thursday update.
Overall, the NWHU’s 307 cases are broken down as 120 cases in the Kenora health hub, 84 in Sioux Lookout, 43 in Dryden, 41 in Red Lake, 10 in Fort Frances, 5 in Emo, 3 in Atikokan and 1 in Rainy River.
Ontario reported another record-breaking day of new COVID-19 cases on December 31, at 16,713. This is the fourth time the record’s been broken since Christmas.
NWHU recommends that everyone, including those who have been vaccinated, assume COVID-19 is in their community and practise preventive measures like physical distancing, wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is a challenge, good hand hygiene, and not touching their face.