On this long Victoria Day long holiday weekend, a special message has been issued by Dr. Cathy Groh, of the Elliot Lake Family Health Team.
"Despite the gradual decline in new cases of COVID-19 in Ontario we are still at risk of an outbreak in Elliot Lake.
"One person with COVID-19 can spread the disease to dozens of people in a short time. We have seen this at super-spreading events like a snowmobile rally supper attended by 100 people which led to 20 cases.
"There have also been cases where one infected person attended several small gatherings in a few days. One person in Chicago infected 16 people this way and caused two deaths. This number of infected people seeking care would overwhelm our small hospital.
"Even people who are not concerned about getting COVID-19 should understand that these types of behaviours - gathering in large groups or visiting with lots of small groups - risk the health and lives of others, including our healthcare workers who will be the ones exposed the most.
Dr. Groh has been the face of ELFHT in its effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Elliot Lake.