THUNDER BAY - A case of COVID-19 that has sparked concern among Kenora-area First Nations is believed to have been contracted in Thunder Bay, health authorities say.
Dr. Ian Gemmill, medical officer of health with the Northwestern Health Unit, said Monday that inference is based on typical incubation periods for the virus, and the timeline of the man's travel to Thunder Bay from his home in Whitedog, part of Wabaseemong Independent Nations, nearly 600 kilometres to the west.
The man made the visit for family reasons, Gemmill said. He later developed symptoms and became ill, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The case is one of three announced Saturday by the health unit.
Contact tracing for the case is being handled by the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
The positive case has raised worries over the possible spread of the virus in the Kenora area. Nearby Wauzhushk Onigum Nation has declared a two-week lockdown in view of the case, which begins Monday.
