The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) announced two new cases in the Rainy River district on Monday and Tuesday.
The two cases in Rainy River are not related but both cases are related to out of region travel. Of the five new cases in the area, three were travel related, one was a close contact of a case and one was linked to an outbreak. This means that public health identified how these people were exposed to COVID-19 and were able to take quick action to prevent the spread.
There are currently five active cases, two in the Rainy River region and three in the Sioux Lookout region. Since March, there have been a total of 137 cases, 133 of which are resolved.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the NWHU, said between Dec. 7th- 13th, there were five new cases of COVID-19. Two of the cases were in the Kenora region, two in the Sioux Lookout region and one in the Rainy River region.
There was one hospitalization that occurred during this period, but has since been discharged.
Through their investigation of the cases, Young Hoon said they identified 21 people who had high risk close contact with the cases.
Young Hoon said the NWHU is remaining in the yellow-protect category of the COVID-19 response framework.
“This category serves as a signal to our communities that we are going in the wrong direction and that we must recommit to public health measures,” Young Hoon said.
As the first COVID-19 vaccines were injected into the arms of people in Quebec and southern Ontario, Young Hoon said the roll-out plans for Rainy River are ongoing. She adds that there is still a fair bit of planning happening and they are waiting for direction and guidance from the ministry of health.
With the holiday season well on its way, the NWHU has released new travel recommendations for the area. Young Hoon is asking the public to continue avoiding non-essential travel to areas that have higher levels of COVID-19. These would be regions that are in the orange or red levels of the COVID-19 response framework.
The same also applies for higher transmission areas to avoid travelling to lower transmission areas such as from red to orange or yellow to green.
Those returning to the region from high risk areas should reduce close contact with others for 10 to 14 days after arriving in northwestern Ontario.
With respect to interprovincial travel or travel to other provinces, Young Hoon said the public should stay at home to protect themselves and others. As well, self-isolate and reduce close contact with others 10 to 14 days after arriving to help lower the risk of spreading the virus.
Young Hoon said that over the holidays the public must remain vigilant with their preventive measures. She adds that people should not host or attend gatherings indoors, stay two metres away from anyone not in your household and self-isolate if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
“These are proven ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Young Hoon said. “People can spread the virus before they have symptoms, so someone’s health at the time of visits is not a reliable way to determine whether or not they have COVID-19.”
Young Hoon said they are expecting a potential increase in cases after the Christmas season as they recognize that travel may occur. However, they strongly recommend against non-essential travel.
