. .
Alana Pickrell
CTV News video journalist from Northern Ontario
@APickrellCTV
Contact
Dr. . Glenn Corneil, the acting health officer for the Timiskaming Health Unit, says the provincial lockdown announced by the province on Monday is the right step for the north. (Supplied)
NORTH BAY –
DR. Glenn Corneil, the acting health officer for the Timiskaming Health Unit, says the provincial lockdown announced by the province on Monday is the right step for the north.
« I would certainly support that for our region, » said Corneil. « While we’re in yellow based on last week’s data, this week’s data suggests we’re already orange, if not higher. « . So lockdown is tough – it’s tough for everyone, it’s tough for our businesses – but from a COVID perspective, it is certainly time to help our region if we see our numbers at this point. ”
In the past week, the health unit reported two outbreaks: one at a New Liskeard high school where two active cases are linked, and one at the Teck Pioneer Residence in Kirkland Lake after an employee tested positive.
Corneil said there had been no other cases at any of these establishments, but the region continued to see an increase in cases.
« We went from 18 to 18. I think we’re going to announce up to 43 cases today and that won’t be until December, « he said.
« In the last week in particular, we have had some real spikes in some cases and there are several situations that we are dealing with across our district. So very worrying. ”
Corneil said 15 or 16 cases were announced as a district last week alone, prompting the decision to move to a yellow zone.
« A number of things are still under investigation, but for some reason some people seem to be losing more than others, and so many of our cases are what we refer to as » epi-linked « or reconverted to other positive cases. » he said.
« When we know someone is positive, they have been contagious for days, often without knowing it. So we just have to assume that the people around us have either been exposed or have COVID, and we just have to stay very closely connected to our household. ”
COVID-19 tests in the Timiskaming district have been and continue to be above the provincial average since the pandemic began. Corneil said while the district « did a fantastic job during this time, » a nationwide lockdown was the right move.
« It will be difficult for our district and for each district, » he said. « Lockdown is a big deal. That being said, when examining things we still see too much socialization, too little mask use, etc.. . ”
« There are certainly benefits to moving to lockdown, » he added. « Given the surge in data we’re seeing, this would be an asset to us. «
COVID-19 coverage in Northern Ontario
Lockdown, Ontario
World News – CA – Timiskaming Health Unit supports statewide lockdown following a surge in COVID cases
Related title :
– The Timiskaming Health Unit supports provincial lockdown following rise in COVID cases
– Sudbury Medical Officer of Health wants to see provincial lockdown
Ref: https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca
