THUNDER BAY – The region's medical officer of health has stark advice as the holiday season approaches – most gatherings should be avoided at all costs and strict adherence to COVID-19 prevention guidelines should be followed.
Dr. Janet DeMille, who heads the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, on Monday said while the city fared well during the virus' first wave in the spring, case numbers are sharply on the rise locally of late, with 48 people being diagnosed since the end of October.
Forty-one of those cases remain active.
While it's natural to want to get together with friends and family, it's imperative people resist the urge at this time.
“Reduce the number of people you are in contact with. Keep your social activities to members of your own household,” said DeMille, in a video posted Monday night to the health unit's Facebook page.
“Celebrations like birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, dinners with extended family,gathering to watch sports or to watch kids play sports, going out to dinner with a group of friends – unfortunately these things that may have been completely normal one year ago are all places where COVID-19 can spread, and spread quickly.”
DeMille's reminder comes on the heels of similar messaging from Premier Doug Ford, who over the weekend told the Ontarians to limit their trips outside their home to work and essential travels for groceries and medical appointments.
Ford said he wouldn't hesitate to roll back reopenings and return to varying levels of lockdowns, with record daily COVID-19 diagnoses and new modelling that suggests the province could see up to 6,500 cases a day by Christmas if the public doesn't take prevention measures seriously.
DeMille said there are creative ways for people to stay connected, either virtually or outside, maintaining a two-metre distance from anyone not in one's household.
“This is the time to start connecting in these other ways, if you're not already doing this,” she said.
She added that many workplaces have established COVID-19 protocols and suggested it would be wise for everyone to follow them.
It only takes one infected person to start the rapid spread of the virus. The lastest surge is centred around an outbreak at Adult and Teen Challenge, as well as one related to the city's pickleball courts.
“If you go to work, abide by those measures, so COVID-19 doesn't spread at your place of work. Make it so any interactions you have with coworkers, including in the staff room and lunch room, are safe. We must all take these measures, and others, seriously,” DeMille said.
“We must do this now. Our situation has changed.”
She added she knows it won't be easy. Some may feel discouraged or anxious, fearful or sad. But the alternative is not a place DeMille wants to city to be.
“These upcoming months are not going to be easy. They're not going to be fun. We will all have to make tough decisions and to make sacrifices. What we might have done in any other year, we will not be able to do this year. However, we can look forward to a better spring and summer next year.”
Moderna, a company working on a vaccine, on Monday stated its trial vaccine has proven to be 94.15 per cent effective, just shy of the 95 per cent needed to build herd immunity.
Earlier this month Pfizer announced its vaccine was showing a 90 per cent effectiveness.
“Vaccines are on the horizon. Increasingly we are hearing more about these. We will get through this pandemic. Keep safe, take care of yourself, do your part and remember, we are all in this together.”
