KENORA – For weeks, The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting a spike in COVID rates across the region.
At the present moment, the NWHU data show 103 active cases of COVID-19 in the region. With 66 cases on reserve in Sioux Lookout, 12 cases in Kenora, and 10 cases in Dryden.
First Nations communities are hit the hardest by COVID. There are 294 active cases total with the majority of cases in Webequie First Nation.
Currently, Webequie First Nation has 87 active cases, Deer Lake has 53, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug has 37.
However, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon said that looking at the stats might be misleading as the health unit only records PCR test results.
Therefore, there could be more active cases than these numbers suggest.
“Three hospitals, one long-term care home and one other institution in our region are currently experiencing outbreaks. In addition, wastewater data from the region shows extreme increases in COVID-19 in the past few weeks and we’ve seen increased hospitalization rates since about mid-July,” said Dr. Young Hoon.
Dr. Young Hoon suggests that the public continue to wear masks while inside public areas where physical distancing may be a problem. She also suggests limiting social gatherings to a select number of people for the time being.
