While the Kenora region continues to be hit hard with COVID-19 cases, there will be no further restrictions for the region put in place by the province or the Northwestern Health Unit.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon explains the decision.
“At this point most of the cases in the Kenora area are localized to one community, so the idea of using the (province’s) ‘Emergency Break’ does not seem relevant for the entire catchment area of the Northwestern Health Unit.”
The province’s ‘Emergency Break’ allows the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, in consultation with the local medical officer of health, to immediately move a region into Grey-Lockdown.
19 cases were reported today in the Kenora region bringing the active case count up 107 with 101 in the Kenora region, the highest active case count since the start of the pandemic.
“Of all the cases in the Kenora region, they’re not necessarily all in one community but it is primarily in one community,” says Young Hoon. “There is a coordinated response that involves many agencies, each of which has an important role. Case numbers are high and at this time there is no evidence of spread to the municipality of Kenora.”
Young Hoon goes on to say the health unit has heard disturbing stories of people being treated badly, because it’s assumed they have COVID-19.
“Please, do not assume that someone you see in public in a public space has COVID-19. Self -isolation centres are working well and people are isolating.”
Young Hoon adds to her knowledge, no one has been fined as of yet under the Section 22 Class Order.
