KENORA — The Northwestern Health Unit says it is "closely watching" the COVID-19 situation in Thunder Bay, where the number of cases has risen steadily over the last few weeks.
In light of the worrisome trend in the city, in a statement on Tuesday the NWHU urged members of the public to be vigilant with COVID prevention measures.
"Case numbers continue to rise in the community [Thunder Bay], and they are now in the Grey-Lockdown level of the province's COVID-19 responses framework," the statement noted.
The NWHU is advising people in its service area – which includes Kenora, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan and numerous First Nations communities –against any non-essential travel to areas with a higher risk, such as Thunder Bay.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon said preventing a similar situation from developing in other locations depends on the actions of local residents.
"COVID-19 cannot spread unless we give it a chance to. Although small gatherings are permitted in our area, I do not advise getting together indoors with anyone you do not live with," Young Hoon said.
As a strengthened prevention measure, she said the province now requires household members of anyone who has COVID symptoms to stay home until test results are known.
"These prevention measures may seem extreme, but they are a way to prevent widespread transmission of the virus," she said.
The NWHU is meeting with local partners to discuss enhanced precautionary measures in populations that are experiencing homelessness or under-housing.
The Northwestern Health Unit issued a COVID-19 Class Section 22 Order on Feb. 16.
Under provincial legislation, it allows health officials to enforce self-isolation requirements, including cases of COVID-19, close contacts of COVID-19 cases, and people who have symptoms that could be COVID-19 but are not yet diagnosed.
It provides for fines and a potential Order for Confinement through the court system.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit issued a Class Section 22 Order on Tuesday.
