DRYDEN, Ont. - With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise throughout the region, the Northwestern Health Unit is moving to the yellow or protect stage in the province’s COVID-19 response framework.
As of Friday, there are 23 active cases of COVID-19 in the NWHU’s catchment area, including 20 in Kenora alone. Earlier this week, the positivity rate in Kenora was listed at 1.48 per cent.
The yellow classification includes stronger measures such as safety plans for some businesses, targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education. The measures will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 30.
Additionally, food establishments and bars must be closed between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., and no more than six people can sit together, liquor can only be sold or served between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. and cannot be consumed in establishments between 12 a.m. and 9 a.m., and contact information must be collected from all patrons in settings such as restaurants, personal care service settings, meeting spaces, recreation facilities, and bingo halls.
People must also remain three metres apart in sports and recreational facilities where there are weights and weight machines and in exercise classes.
Programs are also limited to 10 people per room inside and 25 people outside and preregistration or appointments are required.
“To stay safe, limit your number of close contacts, stay two metres from anyone not in your household, wash your hands frequently, and stay home when you are feeling unwell”, said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health with the NWHU.
“If we do not act now, we face the possibility of further restrictions being placed on us during the holiday season.”
There were four new cases reported in the region on Friday and Young Hoon said several new cases are the result of close contact with previous cases, but last week there was evidence of community tramission in the Kenora area.
"The increasing numbers in our area, particularly the Kenora area are concerning," she said.
"If numbers increase, then we move to a higher level and that applies more restrictions. If our numbers were to decline and stay low for a stable amount of time, then we could possibly go back down to a green level."
The NWHU is expanding its COVID-19 hotline hours to help businesses meet the new requirements. Health unit staff will be available until 8 p.m. Nov. 27, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 to answer questions that employers may have. The NWHU’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-866-468-2240.
The NWHU now joins the Thunder Bay District Health Unit that entered the yellow stage last week.
