The Northwestern Health Unit has reported a 10th COVID-related death, as active cases of the virus continued a record-breaking climb despite limited access to testing.
The health unit reported 37 new cases Thursday.
However, it noted that was likely an underestimate, “given that access to PCR testing is increasingly limited, positive rapid antigen test results are not reported to public health, and the likelihood that people with asymptomatic infections may not seek testing.”
There were five NWHU residents in hospital Thursday, up one from the day before.
There were 439 active cases across the NWHU, up one from Wednesday, marking four days in a row in which the health unit set a new record high.
By region, that included 187 in Kenora, 169 in Sioux Lookout, 28 in Dryden, 21 in Red Lake, seven in Atikokan, five in Emo, and three in Rainy River.
The NWHU reported a 10th resident had died while infected with the virus on Wednesday. That figure could include those who had COVID-19 at the time of death but died of another cause, the agency says.
The health unit does not report details of individual deaths, a representative said Thursday.
