The Northwestern Health Unit has reported six new COVID-19 cases over the Labour Day long weekend, with the total number of active cases rising to eight.
That’s up from five active cases on Friday, when the health unit last reported case numbers.
The six new cases included two each in the Kenora and Sioux Lookout regions, and one each in the Dryden-Red Lake and Rainy River regions.
A COVID-19 case forced the closure of a classroom at Kenora elementary school Pope John Paul II, announced over the weekend.
Provincial health authorities released modelling last week indicating that communities would need higher vaccination rates, of 85 per cent or above, to avoid lockdowns over the fall.
NWHU medical officer of health Dr. Kit Young Hoon has expressed concern the health unit’s vaccination numbers are plateauing well below that level.
