A look at the numbers
The number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 in Ontario continues to rise.
The province reported 412 patients are being treated in the I-C-U on Sunday, up from 385 on Saturday.
A total of 2,419 people are in the hospital in our province with the virus.
Ontario reported 11, 959 new COVID-19 cases yesterday (Sunday) but experts continue to caution the real number of cases is much higher with the real number not clear because of reduced access to PCR testing.
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare calls for urgent action to curb the spread of COVID-19
A regional chief is asking for First Nations to be proactive in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare says confirmed cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in First Nations communities in Ontario are continuing to climb, due to overcrowding and unsustainable housing and lack of testing.
He says that is leaving behind a significant strain on the healthcare system and reducing the capacity of essential workers and health care providers.
Hare is calling on all First Nations to reduce their contacts, stay home and get the vaccine.
Hare adds he knows how difficult this pandemic continues to be but he’s urging all to not let their guard down and to continue to practice preventative measures, to keep Elders, families, and communities safe.
Dealing with Bearskin Lake outbreak
The Canadian Armed Forces have sent four rangers to help the first nation in northern Ontario heavily impacted by a COVID-19 outbreak.
The C-A-F members arrived in Bearskin Lake over the weekend where more than half of the population is infected with the virus.
They did an initial assessment on Saturday and they are helping deliver essential services such as food, medicine and firewood.
The Rangers will be in the community until at least January 23rd and more could be deployed in the coming days.
Roughly 460 people live in the remote community located 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Manitoulin Health Centres continuing testing
The Manitoulin Health Centre in both locations on Manitoulin Island is continuing testing currently.
Co-Chair Paula Fields says both sites in Little Current and Mindemoya continue to be busy offering emergency and in-patient care to COVID positive and non-COVID positive patients.
She says this includes rapid testing in the Assessment Centre, but no walk-ins and only by appointment.
Co-Chair Tim Vine concurs adding those being tested is being prioritized since Public Health Sudbury & Districts is no longer managing contact tracing.
Appointments are necessary at the Assessment Centre in Little Current. To book an appointment, call (705) 368-2300 or (705) 377-5311. Please note, you may experience longer than wait times as the lines are very busy. If possible, leave a message and someone will call you back.
