The Northwestern Health Unit is warning the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading quickly across the region.
Health Officials say it’s likely in all local communities and notes that community transmission appears to be happening.
Case numbers in the region have also increased significantly over the holidays.
The NWHU region currently has 172 active cases of COVID-19 including the addition of 79 new cases over the Christmas weekend.
- 24 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Dryden Health Hub area
- 24 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Kenora Health Hub area
- 12 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Sioux Lookout Health Hub area
- 8 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Red Lake Health Hub area
- 6 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Fort Frances Health Hub area
- 5 new positive COVID-19 test results in the Emo Health Hub area
Total active cases by Health Hub:
Kenora Hub – 61
Dryden Hub – 43
Red Lake Hub – 24
Sioux Lookout Hub – 22
Fort Frances Hub- 13
Emo Hub – 8
Rainy River Hub – 1
Atikokan and Other – 0
Six people in the region remain hospitalized for COVID-19.
The NWHU is urging the public to follow all public health restrictions and gathering limits.
“The more people you gather with, the higher the likelihood is that you will be exposed to COVID-19. It is critical that as case numbers increase, everyone follows the restrictions in place to keep yourself and others safe,” says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU.
Due to the surge in case numbers, public health officials are concerned that the demand on the health system will soon exceed capacity.
“As case numbers increase, hospitalizations often do as well. The best way to protect yourself from getting sick and needing hospitalization is to get your booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Young Hoon.
Booster doses are available at local pharmacies, from health care providers, or at a NWHU clinic.
More information on booking an appointment at a NWHU clinic.
The active case count is now up to 152 in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit with 89 new cases over the Christmas weekend.
