The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting 42 new cases of COVID today. (Tuesday)
Twenty-five come from the Sioux Lookout Health Hub, 15 in the Kenora area and one each in Dryden and Rainy River.
Four people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in the region.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon admits the number of confirmed cases is underestimated.
“PCR testing is no longer available for everyone with symptoms. Publicly funded PCR testing is now available for those in high risk settings including vulnerable individuals or those with significant medical issues who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Those who live, work, visit or admitted into the highest risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes and congregate living settings and other specific groups such as people who are from First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and people travelling into those communities for work.”
Dr. Young Hoon adds, “The more important statistics to pay attention to would include per cent positivity, number of hospitalizations and number of outbreaks in high-risk settings as this information more accurately represents the impact of the virus on our region.”
The test positivity rate is at 26.49% and four people are hospitalized.
The Thunder Bay region saw 40 new positives with the active count now at 350.
There was one new COVID-related death recorded.
Ontario recorded 11,352 new positives and 10 new COVID related deaths.
The province reported 1,290 people in general hospital wards with 266 patients in intensive care units.
