KENORA, Ont.— There were 346 confirmed active COVID-19 cases in the service area of the Northwestern Health Unit as of Wednesday morning.
But health officials continued to stress that this is not an accurate representation of the virus's spread in the region.
This is because access to PCR testing is increasingly limited, positive rapid antigen tests results are not reported to the health unit, and many people with asymptomatic infections likely are not seeking a test.
Eight residents of the NWHU service area are receiving treatment in hospital, one more than on Tuesday.
Among the 19 new cases reported Wednesday, six were in the Kenora Health Hub, three in the Sioux Lookout hub, three in the Red Lake area, two in the Rainy River hub, two in the Fort Frances hub, and one each in the Atikokan, Dryden and Emo areas.
Of the current active cases, more than 140 are in each of the Kenora and Sioux Lookout health hubs.
The NWHU recommends that everyone, including those who are vaccinated, assume that COVID-19 is in their community, and practise preventive measures such as physical distancing and wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces.
