NORTHERN ONTARIO

'Now is not the time to host family gatherings': Increase in positive COVID-19 cases across West Parry Sound

Jay Baxter CTVNorthernOntario.ca Digital Content Producer

Published Saturday, December 19, 2020 3:10PM EST

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit apologized Thursday after revealing there was a privacy breach that resulted in the personal information of patients tested for COVID being posted online.

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SUDBURY -- The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has reported an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the West Parry Sound area. Health officials recorded eight new cases on Saturday, marking the district’s highest single-day increase since the pandemic began.

In a Dec. 19 media release, public health officials said they are seeing an increase of individuals testing positive from within the West Parry Sound district with seven of the new cases from the area and one new case from the Nipissing District.

“COVID-19 is in our district and we need to act now to slow the spread and save lives,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico in the release.

“When you feel unwell, no matter how small the symptom might be, you need to self-isolate immediately and arrange to be tested. By self-diagnosing symptoms as something other than COVID-19 you are potentially putting your loved ones and the community at risk of COVID-19. We need to think about the bigger picture and make the decision to stay home.”

Public health officials say those identified through contact tracing have been contacted directly by the health unit.

Those who are considered high-risk are required to self-isolate and follow the instructions provided by the health unit.

They are not to leave the location where they are self-isolating with the exception of travel to-and-from the assessment centre.

“Now is not the time to host family gatherings or socialize with individuals who live outside your home. We need to prioritize the health and safety of our community,” explains Dr. Chirico.

The Health Unit urges the public to follow public health measures including:

Avoid socializing for now.
Limit travel outside the home to:
Attending school or work - if unable to work from home.
Essential trips for groceries, medication and medical appointments.
Assume everyone has COVID-19 outside your home and take precautions.
Keep a distance of two (2) metres between yourself and anyone outside of your home. However, if you live alone, you may consider having close contact with another household.
Wear a face covering if you need to be closer than two (2) metres from someone outside your home during essential trips. Being in close contact to someone has the highest risk of transmitting COVID-19, along with being in closed or crowded spaces.
Wash or sanitize your hands often, cough or sneeze into your sleeve and if you feel unwell stay home and arrange to be tested.
Limit exercise and recreation to outdoor spaces where physical distancing is possible.
Avoid travel outside of our district, especially to areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, unless for emergencies or urgent medical appointments.