THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 125 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, along with a slight rise in hospitalizations.
The number of residents in hospital with the virus increased to 11, with one in the Intensive Care Unit. Both of those figures rose by one from Tuesday.
Thunder Bay District residents represented a minority of the 27 COVID-positive patients admitted at Thunder Bay's regional hospital as of Tuesday, with three of those in ICU at the time. The hospital has paused less urgent "elective" medical procedures as it confronts rising cases.
The total number of active cases across the district rose to 353 Wednesday, with 82 previous cases declared resolved.
The health unit repeated its caution that its official numbers will significantly underestimate the spread of the virus, with testing availability severely restricted.
Of the 125 cases reported Wednesday, 114 were in the Thunder Bay area, while five were in district communities and six in First Nations.
Nine of the new cases were attributed to household contact, 34 to other close contact, and five to travel outside of Northwestern Ontario. Sixteen had no known exposure, while an exposure category for another 61 was still pending.
The health unit also released updated vaccination data Wednesday, showing more than half of the 5 to 11 age group has now received a first dose.
