Northwestern Health Unit/CKDR Files
The region’s top doctor is calling the Province Wide Stay At Home Order an opportunity to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Just one day before the provincial announcement, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon said she was not sure if more restrictions were needed for our area.
“I think the province has to make decisions at a provincial level and not consider only our region in making that decision and so I think there are a lot of things happening at the provincial level that justify the (stay at home) order.”
At the same time Young Hoon notes we’re not seeing transmission of COVID-19 in Northwestern Ontario schools, as the province is set to close all schools and move to online learning after April Break.
“We’ve had very few school cases, however I think this is an opportunity for us as well as the rest of the province to very much ensure that we’re following public health measures and the stay at home order.”
Young Hoon stresses the increased risk in the Sioux Lookout Health Hub with cases affecting many communities and 11 in the Municipality itself.
As of Tuesday April 13 there were 33 active cases in the Sioux Lookout Health Hub.
The health unit also stresses increased risk in the Emo area , following a declared COVID-19 outbreak at the Calvary Baptist Church with five confirmed cases related to an Easter service.
Health officials are also investigating a case at the New Gold mine and other cases linked to multiple facilities and organizations.
