The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is reporting a COVID-19 positivity rate of 28.8 per cent. Ontario’s percent positivity rate for the past seven days was 13.2 per cent.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the NWHU, said they are not seeing a decreasing positivity rate like many places in Ontario.
“This higher local rates reinforces the importance of practicing prevention measures including staying home and well,” she said. “In addition, you can complete the online self assessment tool and follow the instructions provided. This assessment tool and the school screening tool have recently been updated with more information.”
Young Hoon said to make each question is carefully read before answering as additional factors have been added into the text boxes and the screening tools.
If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and they finish their isolation period, there is no need to get retested after they have either recovered or completed their isolation period.
“Once that self isolation period is over, there’s no need to retest unless you fail the screening tool again,” Young Hoon said.
Young Hoon also said they are continuing to see good vaccination coverage rates in our region, while highlighting the effectiveness of the booster dose.
Over 80 per cent of those aged 70 and older in our region have had their booster dose and over 73 per cent of those aged 50 and older receive theirs. Regarding the vaccine for five to 11 year olds, over 62 per cent of children in our region have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is eight per cent higher than Ontario, Young Hoon said.
“I’m happy to see that many local parents have confidence in the vaccine. In addition to protection from COVID-19 being fully vaccinated comes additional benefits such as less chances of self-isolation” Young Hoon said.
This will be the NWHU’s last week of regularly scheduled large scale immunizations clinics. Walk-in clinics will be open this week in Kenora, Fort Frances and Red Lake. Information on the specific locations on the COVID-19 vaccination booking page.
“I highly encourage anyone who’s eligible for COVID-19 booster dose to get one,” she said. “The booster dose helps to prevent symptoms of COVID-19 which means you’re less likely to miss work or have your household isolate if you happen to come in contact with someone who has the virus. The booster dose can help prevent you from taking many days off work due to symptomatic infection.”
