Yesterday, the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) announced through a press release that a possible risk of exposure to COVID-19 in two Kenora stores.
These two individuals are from the same household, which Dr. Ian Gemmill, acting medical officer of health at the NWHU, said makes sense because the most important risk factor with this virus is living in the same household.
“We are assuming that both cases were probably acquired out of the area,” Gemmill said. “We can never approve that, but based on the information given by the individuals, we can make some assumptions about what is likely and what is unlikely.”
NWHU said in the press release they are advising people who shopped at Walmart and No Frills grocery store in Kenora between 2 and 4 p.m. on Thursday June 4 that there is a very small chance that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
“Our understanding is that there was no coughing,” Gemmill said. “Masks are a good precaution if I, for example, have the infection and the two metre distance can’t be sustained and something happens that may produce spittle.”
Gemmill said the risk in our community is very low and they made this announcement because masks were not worn, but they are not aware of any long duration interaction between the cases and other people who may have been in the stores at the time.
“There very little risk in our community. If we have a situation in which we think the risk was quite high, we would tell people they are at risk. The reason we notify the public about this situation is because the information may already be in the community and we all know what happens when there is a speculation on whether this could be a problem.”
In the press release, NWHU said they recommend that anyone who was working or shopping in Walmart or No Frills grocery between 2 and 4 p.m., Thursday June 4 to self-monitor until June 18, self-isolate and to get tested for COVID-19 if they develop any symptoms.
“We’re doing this not to alarm people, but to give people their facts so they can actually feel better about the situation should they have heard about this through social media. The assessment centres are aware and they are ready to accept people as a result of this situation. If people are not tested that’s alright. It is up to each and every individual because we assessed the risk as very, very low.”
