It’s reopening day for the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area and much of the province.
As of this morning the region entered step one of the province’s reopening plan, meaning looser COVID-19 restrictions.
“Our case numbers are very low so we’re in good case situation to be moving forward with reopening, ” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon. “I do encourage however, that everyone continues to follow public health measures at this time, especially as we still have few people who don’t have their second doses (of the vaccine).”
Young Hoon continues: “We still encourage everyone to follow physical distancing measures, good hand hygiene, wearing a face mask in enclosed spaces or within two meters of others. Also if you’re feeling unwell or you’re feeling sick, make that effort to self isolate and get tested. That’s all important to continue doing, even though the province is reopening.”
As of Thursday, the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area had four active cases of COVID-19 with two in the Kenora Health Hub and one each in the Dryden and Sioux Lookout Hubs.
While Young Hoon is optimistic with a low case count, she points out a concern with the newly discovered Delta variant.
“One of the key things (that has come up with the Delta variant) is that protection is best from two doses and that one dose will not provide adequate protection, particularly for this variant. This variant is known to transmit quickly and has been seen in other parts of the province and Manitoba.”
To date, 70 percent of the region has at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and Young Hoon encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible.
