SUDBURY -- Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting nine new COVID-19 cases in the city, making 15 new cases in the area in the last few days.
"Through contact tracing, Public Health will notify all close contacts directly," the health unit said in a news release Thursday. "If you are not contacted by Public Health, you are not considered a close contact."
Seven of the cases are a result of close contact with someone who has COVID, while the source of the remaining two are unknown, Public Health said. The new tests bring to 142 cases in the health units coverage area since the pandemic began.
"Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reminding everyone that the safest options are to avoid non-essential travel, limit indoor gatherings to your own household, and otherwise be outdoors or go virtual, practise physical distancing, masking, and handwashing, and of course, stay away if you have any symptoms," the release said.
"As much as possible, Ontarians are encouraged to limit outings to essentials like going to work or school, picking up groceries, attending a medical appointment, or engaging in outdoor physical activity. For all outings, continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours like distancing and wearing a face covering."
As of Oct. 3, Ontario is pausing social circles and advising all Ontarians allow close contact only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physical distancing from everyone else. Individuals who live alone may consider having close contact with another household.
"If you have a COVID-19 symptom or have been exposed to the virus as informed by Public Health or the COVID Alert app, get tested," the release said.
Updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, and outbreaks in Greater Sudbury, the District of Sudbury, and the District of Manitoulin are posted online.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about the province’s response to COVID-19.
