Dr. Kit Young Hoon. Supplied by NWHU
Keep in mind gathering limits and COVID-19 risk.
That’s the message from the region’s top doctor and Northwestern Health Unit with holiday celebrations are on the horizon.
“People have gone through such a difficult year, Christmas is important,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon. “I think people just need to think through what sort of risk they’re taking on and the importance of the gathering limits.”
Dr. Young Hoon explains measures announced by the province are in effect for good reason.
“The virus is highly transmissible, there is some indication that the severity (of this new variant) is similar to delta and this could definitely overwhelm our healthcare system with respect to ICU admissions and hospitalizations. This does require a collective effort to reduce the impact on all of us.”
Dr. Young Hoon adds “By following the gathering limits you are protecting yourself, friends and family, protecting the wider community by ensuring the health care system can continue to function throughout he next wave.”
The health unit was considering implementing their own restrictions but says it will continue to monitor the impact the province’s restrictions have on our region over the next week or two, as well as local COVID-19 activity.
The first two confirmed cases of the Omicron variant were reported Wednesday in Dryden and Kenora.
NWHU encourages residents to shift gatherings as much as possible outdoors.
Provincial gathering limits are capped at 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.
