THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit announced 21 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, by far the largest single-day jump since the pandemic began.
The announcement brings the total number of active cases in the Thunder Bay district to 56.
All of the new cases are located in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas, which includes Oliver Paipoonge, Neebing, Gillies, Shuniah, Conmee, O'Connor, and some unorganized territories.
All but one of the 21 new cases were considered the result of close contact with an existing case. The health unit had not yet identified an exposure category for the remaining case.
Many of the cases have been linked to an outbreak at two supported living centres, which accounted for 24 confirmed cases as of Tuesday, and an exposure at several local pickleball centres, associated with 29 cases.
“The primary driver of that rise is the outbreak we had last week that we’re still managing, and the pickleball exposure we determined over this weekend," said medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille. "Although there are other things happening, as well.”
Over 300 people either diagnosed with the disease or identified as high risk contacts have been directed to isolate by the health unit, DeMille said. She estimated over 200 of those were connected to the pickleball exposure at several local recreation centres.
Including new cases announced Tuesday, the Thunder Bay district has now seen a total of 186 confirmed cases. Fully 69 of those have been announced since the start of November, with 54 confirmed over just the past week.
DeMille has previously pointed to the health unit’s ability to – so far – trace new cases as a reassuring sign, despite an explosion of new cases.
On Monday night, DeMille advised local residents to minimize interactions outside their immediate families, in light of growing case counts.
Note: An earlier version of this story stated that Dr. Janet DeMille estimated over 100 people had been directed to isolate as a result of exposure connected to pickleball. In fact, the estimated number is over 200 people. Tbnewswatch apologizes for the error.
