The medical point person on all things relating to COVID-19 at the Elliot Lake Family Health Team, Dr. Cathy Groh, took to social media Saturday to stress the importance of controlling our close contacts as we battle the virus.
"As the daily number of new cases of COVID-19 climbs in Ontario, it is important that people keep their number of close contacts small," Groh posted.
"People travel in and out of our community all the time: for work, education, medical care and to care for family members.
"If the virus that causes COVID-19 reaches a group of people who are not taking precautions, we could easily have an outbreak in Elliot Lake. Let's protect ourselves and our community!"
Dr. Groh was asked about any similarities that can be drawn between COVID-19 and Spanish Flu.
She posted this link and said "They have similar symptoms and complications, but people with COVID-19 can also get blood clots. People are contagious longer with COVID-19 than the flu. And of course, there is a vaccine for the flu which many people get every year, providing some herd immunity that protects even people who don't get vaccinated."
As to the number of positive cases to date in Elliot Lake, she wrote, "We have had three positive cases. If those people had not followed public health guidance we would have had more."
People who want to be tested for COVID-19 infection need to make an appointment at the Elliot Lake Family Health Team Assessment Centre in the upper plaza.
Forms need to be filled out and the ELFHT has imposed some testing restrictions.
At the present time, they are only testing people who show symptoms of having the virus.
The Assessment Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call the COVID assessment phone line at 705-461-8882, ext. 1 for more information.