DRYDEN, Ont. - The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting 19 new cases of COVID-19, but given the majority of new cases are isolated to one community, the medical officer of health said remaining in the Yellow-Protect category makes the most sense.
“Most of the cases in the Kenora area are localized to one community,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health with the Northwestern Health Unit.
“The idea of using an emergency brake does not seem relevant at this point for the entire catchment area of the Northwestern Health Unit. We have to monitor the situation very closely though. I think it’s good news that there are lots of public health measures being applied in that community.”
The number of active cases in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area is now at 107, with 101 of those in the Kenora Region, four in the Dryden/Red Lake Region, and two in the Sioux Lookout region.
The Northwestern Health Unit does not disclose details on the specific locations of cases, however, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations has been in lock-down for more than a week due to a spike in cases and is receiving assistance from Team Rubicon.
With the majority of new cases occurring within one region, Young Hoon said there is the possibility of introducing restrictions to a specific region without moving the entire catchment area into a more restricted colour in the COVID-19 response framework.
“From a provincial perspective, I’m not really sure what they can and can’t do or what they are willing to do,” she said. “From a local perspective, if we were to issue orders, we could limit it to a specific area.”
According to Young Hoon, despite the high number of cases in the Kenora region, there is no evidence of spread in the municipality of Kenora.
The Northwestern Health Unit is also working with community partners on setting up isolation centres and Young Hoon is reminding the public that isolation centres do not pose a risk to the general public, nor to assume everyone in public has COVID-19.
“As the need arises, isolation centres or spaces have been and can be set up across the region to support individuals who cannot isolate at home. This has been ongoing throughout the pandemic across the entire region. The risk to the general public from an isolation centre would be extremely low if not zero,” Young Hoon said.
“We have heard disturbing stories of people being treated badly because it is assumed they have COVID-19. Please do not assume that someone you see in public or in a public space has COVID-19. Self isolation centres are working well and people are self-isolating.”
Earlier this week, the Northwestern Health Unit issued a Section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotions Act, which can force individuals to self-isolate who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are considered a high risk contact.
“At this time, I am not aware of any fines being issued or any enforcement being done,” Young Hoon said. “Sometimes people being aware of that type of enforcement leads to increased compliance. Most people do follow self-isolation requirements.”
