The province has officially entered the seventh wave of COVID-19, driven this time by the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.
The effects are being felt across the northwest with numerous cases in the region, not reported by the Health Unit because many people aren’t eligible for PCR testing and instead test positive on Rapid Antigen tests at home.
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority has seen a spike in cases with 514 in its coverage area.
That’s up from 124 just a couple of weeks ago.
Most of the cases are in three communities; Sandy Lake, Webequie and Poplar Hill.
Regional lockdown’s have been lifted in First Nation communities and travel has been opened up.
Ontario health officials are strongly recommending wearing masks indoors and social distancing as case numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
