The North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit’s top doctor admits that the lockdown could be extended even if our area continues to have a low case count.
Dr. Jim Chirico, the region’s Chief Medical Officer, made that statement during an online media conference on Tuesday afternoon.
He replied to a question about how likely the north is to extend the lockdown if the south extends its lockdown.
“We do not know the answer to that question but you raise a very important point,” noted Chirico.
“At this time, all I can say with the trends in both southern Ontario and northern Ontario will be monitored very closely to determine if the shutdown should be extended in either region. What is important to consider is the current situation in which a health unit district is in lockdown next to a health unit district with less restrictive measures in place. What happens is very predictable. People from high-risk areas travel to lower risk areas, exposing them. We must do whatever we can to prevent that from happening. It may mean extending the lockdown in the north beyond the 14 days scheduled for December 26.”
See related: Area residents need to be patient when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine
Chirico says the rising COVID-19 numbers across the province is impacting the local case count.
“To slow the spread, everyone needs to take personal responsibility and follow public health recommendations,” said Chirico.
“If we do not work together and act now things will get worse and the lockdown will have to be extended. Nobody wants that. By following health recommendations and acting now we have the ability to slow the spread as we accomplished in the first wave and end the lockdown.”
