With nine cases and counting of COVID-19 Monday night in what Algoma Public Health (APH) calls the Elliot Lake and area, Elliot Lake Family Health Team member Dr. Cathy Groh was on social media with a few observations about the growing incidence of infection.
"Algoma Public Health has reported that there is another person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in this region," she wrote. "These people had their swabs done last week. Some of these people do not know how they acquired the infection. This suggests that there are possibly more people who have COVID-19 in the community. They may not have symptoms but could still spread the virus.
"At this time it is more important than ever that we all do our best to follow the advice of Public Health. Even if we are not concerned about our own health, we could contract the virus and give it to someone else who might have a more serious infection.
"We could even bring the disease into our own homes and make our family members sick. But if we all take precautions, we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community."
In response to a question about information handling on COVID-19 infections in Algoma, Dr. Groh replied, "Algoma Public Health makes the decision about what information to release. In the last week it has reported that six people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Elliot Lake and area. Technically Elliot Lake and area includes Sagamok, Serpent River and Spanish."
Another reader questioned Dr. Groh's response to queries about infection location.
"There are laws governing the release of health information. Algoma Public Health decides what information to release," she replied. "I do not work for Algoma Public Health. I am just volunteering my time trying to keep people informed."
She also explained what is now known about COVID-19 spread, "At the very beginning of the pandemic, it was thought to be spread only by symptomatic people. It quickly became clear that it was also spread by asymptomatic people. There are many reports of people at events like weddings who contracted COVID-19 from someone who did not know they were sick."
As to the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, she said, "In the studies the vaccines decreased the risk of getting COVID but did not eliminate it, but the vaccinated people did not get severe illness. It is not clear if vaccinated people could still infect other people if they get mild illness."
As for the appearance of any COVID-19 variants in Elliot Lake, another reader wanted to know about possible local variant spread.
"A variant has not been identified in the Elliot Lake area," Dr. Groh said.
Dr. Groh said the residents of St. Joseph's Manor have been vaccinated and hopefully other residents of Huron Lodge and Hillside Park will be vaccinated soon.
Finally, a reader asked about the safety of schools, specifically for her daughter who has stayed home since last March.
"Elliot Lake has no cases in schools. If she wears a mask her risk is very low," Dr. Groh replied.