DRYDEN, Ont. - The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting additional COVID-19 variant cases in its catchment area.
According to a release issued by the NWHU, two additional cases of the U.K. COVID-19 variant have been detected.
The two cases are unrelated to one another. One was found in the Fort Frances area in an individual who recently returned from a region of higher risk.
Close contacts of the case have been contacted by public health officials and are self-isolating. Tests have been conducted and the health unit is awaiting results to see if there is any evidence of further spread.
The other case is located in the Dryden area and is associated with a previous variant case detected in the area.
The NWHU said the case is considered resolved and there is no evidence of further spread.
“This emphasizes the need for individuals and their household members to self-isolate immediately when someone has a symptom of COVID-19. Variants of concern can spread incredibly fast,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at NWHU. “By only getting within two metres of people you live with, you are able to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 to others.”
There are currently 68 active cases of COVID-19 in the NWHU catchment area, with 37 in the Kenora region, 16 in the Sioux Lookout region, eight in the Dryden/Red Lake Region, and seven in the District of Rainy River.
