Northwestern Health Unit has no active cases of COVID-19

One of the largest health unit's in Ontario, geographically, has no active cases of COVID-19.

All have been resolved, including one which was a person who listed the health unit's catchment area as their primary address, however, that individual had not been in the region since becoming infected.

Dr. Ian Gemmill, the acting medical officer of health for the NWHU, has said numerous times the area is "lucky" and seems to have avoided any type of community spread of the virus.

"We suggest strongly that people in the northwest stay in the northwest. And, the reason for that is, not only do we not want to take the infection to Manitoba, but conversely, we don't want it to be brought back here." 

Gemmill said travel restrictions remain in place between the two provinces, and only those who need to go back and forth for essential work or "urgent family matters" should remain in their province.

"I think that it's possible that we've dodged the bullet in the first wave," he said.

"The personal protective measures such as hand washing, not touching our faces, hand sanitizer, staying home if you're sick, these won't only apply now, they'll apply for a good long time."

Gemmill said nearly 1200 tests for the virus have come back negative, with 625 still pending. Many tests administered in Kenora are sent to Winnipeg, with turnaround times of 48 hours, instead of a week when tests are sent to Southern Ontario.

Ray Racette, the CEO of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora said his facility has a stockpile of COVID-19 test kits which are specifically for use in area First Nations.

He said the hospital itself has some COVID-19 test kits where the hospital lab can analyze data. More kits should come every couple of weeks, he said, ensuring a steady supply of tests can be delivered locally.

Racette said he felt the hospital had also secured enough personal protective equipment for staff, and said there was no longer a shortage.