Media Releases

As some provincial COVID-19 restrictions get loosened today, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) strongly recommends that local businesses, organizations, and residents follow enhanced measures while case numbers and hospitalizations remain high. “Our region’s COVID-19 percent positivity rates and hospitalizations are not decreasing like most of the province. We have the highest Read more…

Report being used by Northwestern Health Unit to gain knowledge of how climate change impacts the health of northern Ontarians A new report issued by Health Canada explains how the health impacts of climate change are being felt across the country. The 768-page report, titled Health of Canadians in a Read more…

The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) catchment area is seeing an increased number of infectious syphilis cases. Although case rates have been rising since 2018, there was a drastic increase in 2021, where rates rose by 107% since 2020. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) spread through direct contact with Read more…

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) urges those who still need a first, second, or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to book an appointment when eligible. The health unit’s large vaccination clinics will be scaled back in early February. To increase accessibility, the vaccination clinics being offered in communities next month Read more…

Northwestern Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kit Young Hoon fully supports the decision for in-person learning to resume on January 17, 2022. “The benefits of in-person learning far outweigh the risks at a population level. It has been shown that in-person learning can positively impact our students’ health Read more…

Due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) advises the public to have essential items on-hand in case you are required to self-isolate. Public health officials note that with the high percent positivity rates, it is likely that many households will need to self-isolate within Read more…

The Omicron variant is spreading across the region quickly. Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) warns that the newest variant is likely in all local communities, and notes that community transmission appears to be happening. Case numbers in the region have increased significantly over the holidays. The NWHU region currently has 172 Read more…

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) has received confirmation that two positive cases in the region were infected with the omicron variant. These are the first known omicron cases in the NWHU area. One case was detected in Kenora, the other in Dryden. Both cases were travel related. Due to the sequencing Read more…

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is responding to the urgent threat of the omicron variant of COVID-19 and the recent spike in local cases. Getting a booster dose of the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from infection. “Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are not shown Read more…

Upon closure of two Fort Frances elementary schools this week due to COVID-19, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) recommends the immediate suspension of all indoor extra-curricular activities for those aged 4-11 in the Fort Frances, Emo, and Rainy River areas. “Indoor extracurricular activities should not take place currently in these communities. Read more…