DRYDEN, Ont. - The number of active COVID-19 cases in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area continues to fall as more people are adhering to public health guidelines and getting vaccinated.
On Tuesday, the NWHU reported no new cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases in the catchment area now sits at 10, with one active case in the Atikokan area, two in the Sioux Lookout area, and seven in the Kenora area.
“Seeing low numbers is very encouraging,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health with the NWHU. “It is a sign of the public practicing prevention measures and getting vaccinated. Vaccinations in addition to public health measures are helping lower case numbers both locally and across the province.”
According to Young Hoon, from May 24 to May 30 the seven-day incident rate dropped to 12.6 cases per 100,000 people from 20.6 per 100,000 people the week prior.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues, with more than 51,500 doses administered to date and 63 per cent of the population over the age of 12 having received at least one dose.
“This is an impressive milestone for all of us in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area,” Young Hoon said. “It brings me hope that brighter days are ahead but it also a reminder that most people must get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.”
Young Hoon added that some vaccination clinics are still not filling up, which is why the health unit has been offering walk-in clinics, which she said is resulting in more people coming to receive the vaccine.
The provincial government is also planning to accelerate the distribution of second doses this summer, which should allow for anyone in Ontario eligible to receive a vaccine to receive that second dose before the end of August.
Young Hoon said based on the supply the Northwestern region is receiving everyone wanting a second dose should be able to get one.
“My general understanding is the province is doing a fair bit of work ensuring local health units are provided with the supply they need to provide the second dose this summer,” she said. “My sense of the numbers is it should be achievable for our catchment area.”
But Young Hoon is also reminding people that public health restrictions remain in place, including the closure of the Manitoba and Ontario border.
“It would be challenging to know for certain the extent of the benefits of that measure,” she said. “We do know the risk in Manitoba is very high at this time. They have case rates considered high. The last I checked, it was over 200 per 100,000 a week. It is important that people don’t travel to Manitoba unless for essential reasons.”
“We continue to monitor the risk in Manitoba and we want to make sure people are aware of that risk.”
