Two new travel-related cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Northwestern region, according to the NWHU. The cases are both travel-related, and reside in Red Lake.
“We have done a thorough follow-up with the cases, and anyone affected has been contacted and are in quarantine,” said a Twitter post from the NWHU. “Please assume COVID-19 is in your community.”
Last Thursday, Dryden and Sioux Lookout each reported their first positive case. Rainy River has one individual who tested positive and is in isolation. Fort Frances was the first community in the NWHU’s jurisdiction to report a positive case. That individual has completed isolation.
Thunder Bay announced its 13th positive case yesterday.
A woman in her 40s contracted the virus during international travel, and is self-isolating. That brings the city’s total confirmed cases to eight.
Nipigon now has four cases – one related to travel, and three additional due to close contact.
“As we see increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay area, it is very important that we all are taking appropriate measures to slow the spread of the virus in the community,” said Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health. “This includes staying home and leaving only for essential trips, staying home when sick, frequent hand washing, maintaining a two-metre distance from other people and other measures. These are uncertain times. Working together as community partners and as community members, we can make a difference.
Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the NWHU, urges residents to stay in their home towns, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Early evidence suggests that community spread has already arrived in the region, and the only way to limit its transmission between municipalities is to stay home, except for urgent and essential travel.
