Three outbreaks have been declared in the Emo area recently, with one announced yesterday morning at the New Gold Mine, making it a workplace outbreak.
Currently, three cases are linked to the mine, with additional test results outstanding.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) said Emo poses a high risk to itself and the surrounding communities.
Young Hoon said the outbreak is still relatively early on in its investigation.
The other two outbreaks were announced last week with one at Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program and the other at the Calvary Baptist Church.
“The outbreak associated with the church is still under investigation and being monitored closely. The church has made a number of measures to ensure that public health measures are being followed,” Young Hoon said. “They’ve moved their services to virtual. At this point we’re all under a provincewide stay-at-home order and emergency brake so I’m hopeful that it will prevent further spread from that particular event.”
Young Hoon said since schools are now learning virtually, the spread at Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program should be contained.
There are currently 49 active cases in the region, four in the Dryden health hub, 14 in the Emo health hub, four in the Fort Frances health hub, six in the Kenora health hub and 21 in the Sioux Lookout health hub.
There are currently two people hospitalized for COVID-19.
The NWHU has administered 20,108 doses of the vaccine so far.
During the week of April 12 to April 18, the NWHU’s catchment area had 51 new cases. Of the new cases, 17 were related to an outbreak, 12 were contacts with previous cases and two were related to travel. The source of exposure remains unknown for 20 of these new cases at this time.
Young Hoon said Sioux Lookout is also concerning as case numbers in the health hub remain high.
Forty-nine cases in the region may seem like things are heading in the right direction, but Young Hoon said a small number of cases one day does not mean that the risk is lower. She noted that it is most likely due to the fact that the assessment centre is closed two days per week in most communities.
Young Hoon reassures the public that by the time they know about a case, the likelihood of spread is reduced because those who tested positive have been isolating.
“The cases we do not yet know about or never find out about because they don’t get tested are riskier to the public, which is why we encourage everyone to get tested and self-isolate if they have any symptoms or for everyone to assume COVID-19 is in their community and to practice public health measures,” Young Hoon said.
She said the NWHU continues to see a number of cases related to travel which is particularly concerning because of the risk of introducing variants of concern into the catchment area.
Young Hoon said they have noted a number of cases that are variants of concern, particularly in the Kenora health hub, Dryden health hub and Sioux Lookout health hub.
“At this point, the variants of concern seem to be fairly contained but if we keep on having introduction of cases that are variants, eventually it can lead to widespread transmission of variants,” Young Hoon said. “The general experience from other health units is that variants can spread rapidly and can quickly consume health resources and affect the healthcare system.”
However, Young Hoon said with the border inspections implemented due to further provincial lockdown restrictions, it will hopefully keep variants at bay.
