THUNDER BAY – For the first time in months, Thunder Bay is COVID-19-free.
Dr. Janet DeMille, medical officer of health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, made the announcement on Monday morning, in a video posted to both YouTube and Facebook.
“Today we are reporting that we have no known active cases of COVID-19 in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area,” DeMille said.
“This is the first time we have had this since our first case was reported to us back in March.”
The district has handled 93 known cases, including one announced over the weekend, with all of them considered resolved.
There has been one death, a employee at Lac des Iles Mine.
“This is an important milestone that we have achieved. Having no known active cases of COVID-19 indicates that the level of the virus in this area is likely very low,” DeMille said. “We have no indication of any ongoing spread of the virus at this time. This milestone is the result of our collective effort as individuals, families, businesses and organizations and communities over the last several months.”
The announcement came four days before the health unit plans to implement a mandatory mask requirement for all public indoor spaces, although those with medical issues can exempt themselves from having to wear a mask.
DeMille said the fact that the region is at zero cases is in part because of the sacrifices people have made over the past several months, including staying home, physical distancing, mask wearing and frequent hand-washing.
“We should take comfort with what we have been able to accomplish together. Also, this is a good position to be in as we enter into Stage 3 of the reopening and as we look ahead to the opening of schools and to the fall, overall.”
It does not mean Thunder Bay and surrounding communities are out of the woods.
“Public health numbers reflect individuals who have had a positive test for the virus. In the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, as in many others, many cases of COVID-19 go undetected. We could very well have many cases undetected in our area right now,” she said.
“This virus is tricky.”
Often people with COVID-19 show no symptoms or have mild symptoms but can be spreading the virus. It’s important to keep up measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including staying home if not feeling well.
“As we continue to reopen, there will be more opportunities for people to have closer interactions with one another in spaces, especially indoor spaces, where transmission is more likely to happen. The level of transmission of the virus in communities can quickly increase. This can happen without us actually being aware that it is happening,” DeMille said.
“It can take two weeks, or more, to start detecting an increase in cases.”
She pointed to other jurisdictions across the country that have seen an uptick in cases as reopening efforts continue, noting it’s a warning to those in Thunder Bay to remain vigilant.
DeMille is concerned about people and goods traveling through the region, saying the virus can easily be brought back into to the community from outside, and expressed concerns about essential travel coming from south of the border.
“So while I think it is important for us to acknowledge and celebrate what we have accomplished together, it is also important that we all remain vigilant and consistent in our efforts to keep this virus at bay in our area.”
