KENORA — The number of COVID-19 cases in the Northwestern Health Unit's jurisdiction continues to rise.
NWHU reported 79 new cases on Monday, bringing the active case count in its catchment area to 172, an increase of 20 from Friday.
In a statement issued Monday, the health unit warned the increase was part of a concerning trend, with the Omicron variant was "spreading across the region quickly" after first being discovered in the NWHU on Dec. 22.
The agency warned residents the variant was now likely present in all communities, heightening the risk of catching and spreading the virus.
"Due to the surge in case numbers, public health officials are concerned that the demand on the health system will soon exceed capacity," the health unit stated.
NWHU medical officer of health Dr. Kit Young Hoon urged residents to get their booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying they provide the best protection against Omicron's increased transmissibility.
Six people were hospitalized as of Monday for treatment of COVID-19 across the Northwestern Health Unit.
The Kenora and Dryden areas have the largest number of cases by far, with 61 and 43 respectively.
The next biggest caseload at the community level is in Red Lake, with 24.
Sioux Lookout has 22 cases and Fort Frances 13. There are also eight cases in Emo, and one in Rainy River.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 152 active cases in its service areas on Monday.
