The Northwestern Health Unit is cracking down on businesses not following public health rules.
Workplace-specific instructions will have to be followed starting Thursday
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says all employees and staff must pass a COVID-19 screen before entering the workplace.
If anyone has even one symptom and have failed the self-assessment, they must stay home from work, self-isolate, and get tested.
Dr. Young Hoon adds other measures include ensuring workers can physically distance two metres and if they can’t that they are wearing appropriate Personal Protection Equipment as well as wearing masks indoors.
Management must also maintain a log of employees working so health officials can follow-up on high-risk close contacts if there is a case.
The health unit will also issue fines to workplaces that allow employees to attend work while symptomatic or while they should be self-isolating.
Dr. Young Hoon says our area has seen an increase in the number of workplace-related COVID-19 cases and outbreaks over the past weeks.
She notes some individuals are attending work with symptoms and increasing rates can lengthen the time that current public health restrictions are applied.
Dr. Young Hoon urges workplaces to support employees as much as possible during these times.
For more information on the workplace instructions visit Workplace Instructions
Meantime, the Northwestern Health Unit reports appointments are open and available for COVID clinics across the entire catchment area.
Anyone with at-risk health conditions such as dementia, diabetes, and sickle cell disease, as well as Group Two of people who can’t work from home including grocery store, restaurant and transportation workers are now eligible to book an appointment to receive a vaccine.
Effective Thursday, May 13, individuals 40 and over will be able to schedule an appointment.
In addition, due to increased vaccine supply the province is adding high-risk health care workers, dialysis patients, and all First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals to the list of those eligible to book their appointment to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The number of vaccine doses administered in our area is 34,708
Percent of vaccine doses administered by Health Hub ages 18+
Health Hub and Percent received 1st Dose (18+)
-Atikokan: 51%
-Dryden: 46%
-Emo: 30%
-Fort Frances: 49%
-Kenora: 57%
-Rainy River: 33%
-Red Lake: 35%
-Sioux Lookout (does not include communities vaccinated by Operation Remote Immunity: 48%
-NWHU catchment area total: 48%
