NORTHWEST REGION - The government of Ontario announced new restrictions on Monday as we re-enter a modified version of step two on the road map to reopening.
Some of the changes that come into effect Wednesday include: social gathering limits are five people indoors and 10 people outdoors, 50 per cent capacity for retail settings and personal care services, no indoor dining at restaurants, closure of indoor sports and recreational facilities, and remote learning until at least Jan. 17.
“This is due to the increase in hospitalizations that are being seen across the province. We will be assisting local businesses, workplaces, and organizations as needed to ensure that they are following all measures that apply to them,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health.
Young Hoon also asserts that the best defence against the COVID-19 virus is vaccination and hopes that added restrictions will be a short term measure. Nearly 160,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in the region and the NWHU continue to offer vaccination clinics across the region.
Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care lodges, and older adults living in other congregate settings are eligible for a fourth dose of an MRNA vaccine if at least three months have passed since the third dose.
NWHU has vaccination appointments available on their website, and local pharmacies and healthcare providers are also offering the vaccine.
Due to the shift of the pandemic response announced by the government of Ontario, PCR testing is no longer available for everyone with COVID-19 symptoms.
“This shift means that testing numbers will no longer be an accurate representation of cases in our area. The more important statistics to pay attention to would include percent positivity, number of hospitalisation, and number of outbreaks in high-risk settings, as this information more accurately depicts the effects of the virus on our region,” said Young Hoon.
“We will also see a shift in contact management. Positive cases in high-risk settings such as long-term care homes and retirement homes will receive full case and contact management, but other cases will be asked to find and identify their own close contacts.”
Under the new provincial guidelines, anyone with symptoms who fails the screening tool and is not eligible for testing should assume that they have COVID-19 and self isolate as recommended by the tool.
Young Hoon advises that the screening tool should also be used when someone is identified as a close contact. It will provide information on whether or not you need to self isolate and for how long.
“Self isolation requirements have changed and can be as short as five days depending on the situation. The general community, individuals who are vaccinated as well as children under 12 will be required to self isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms,” said Young Hoon.
“If you’re 12 and older and un-vaccinated, or partially vaccinated, or immunocompromised, the isolation period is longer at 10 days.”
Publicly funded PCR testing is now available for those in high-risk settings including vulnerable individuals or those with significant medical issues who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness due to the virus, including for the purpose of confirming COVID-19 diagnosis to begin treatment.
Those who live work visit or are admitted to the highest risk settings such as hospitals, long term care homes, retirement homes and congregate living settings and other specific groups such as people who are from First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities, and people travelling into those communities for work are also eligible to receive PCR testing.
