Thunder Bay’s Health Unit is investigating whether COVID-19 is being transmitted between people in our community who have not travelled.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janet DeMille says one of the district’s 12 cases may have picked up the virus that way, but they don’t know for sure.
She notes three of the cases in Thunder Bay are under “significant public health investigation.” Dr. DeMille says they didn’t travel during the two weeks before showing symptoms.
“It appears that these individuals acquired the virus in Thunder Bay,” she explains. “For two of them it is likely they got the virus from somebody close to them who did travel.”
For the third person, she says it may be the same situation, but it’s not certain.
“What this means is that there are people who have COVID-19 in this area that aren’t being identified. perhaps they had fairly mild illness, maybe they didn’t think much of it, but those individuals can be passing the virus on to others without even knowing it,” Dr. DeMille points out.
However, she adds it’s difficult to make clear conclusions based on such a small number of people.
The Health Unit official says the next few weeks will be uncomfortable, as we see new cases and deaths in the community, but we can reduce the number of new cases by following public health guidelines.
The Medical Officer of Health points out some of the measures put in place so far, like extending the closures of schools and non-essential workplaces, have been a big help for the Northwest.
She says an important step you can take is not travelling between communities in the region, unless absolutely necessary. Dr. DeMille emphasizes that you need to stay home for the Easter long weekend, and connect with your loved ones electronically, or make plans to meet when the pandemic is over.
There are eight cases in Thunder Bay, four in Nipigon, and five others in the rest of the Northwest region. Two of the Thunder Bay District cases have resolved.
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