New cases of COVID-19 have been turning up with regularity in what Algoma Public Health calls "Elliot Lake and area."
Dr. Cathy Groh of the Elliot Lake Family Heath Team expressed her concerns Saturday night in an online social media posting.
"Algoma Public Health is reporting the third new case of COVID-19 in the past week in Elliot Lake and area," Groh wrote.
"For at least one of these cases community spread is likely the source of the infection. It has been proven that asymptomatic people can spread the virus. The best way to avoid contracting this virus is by staying home.
"If you have to go out for essential reasons, wear a mask, practice social distancing and disinfect your hands. If we all are careful we can protect our community!"
Information on the latest cases in Algoma, announced by APH on Saturday evening, can be found here.
Dr. Groh explained that "Elliot Lake and area" covers areas including Spanish, Serpent River and Sagamok."
"Many people want to know in which community these people who have tested positive for COVID-19 live. Algoma Public Health makes the decision about what information should be released to the public," Groh said.
"Regardless of where these people live, people from all of these communities come to Elliot Lake to shop which is when most of us are most likely to interact with people outside of our households."
There is an encouraging factor as Dr. Groh further explained, "I understand that people are afraid. However, they can take precautions to protect themselves. And there is evidence that if they are taking precautions, like wearing masks in public, even if they get COVID, it will be milder and they will have less severe illness."
As to continuing concerns about broad geographical references in APH case reporting, she went on, "Public Health worries about stigma. They worry people will mistreat people who have tested positive or might have tested positive."
"Public Health is being practical," Groh continued. "They worry that people won't get tested if they think that the community will criticize them if they test positive."
"It's important for us all that even people who aren't following the rules feel they will not be ostracized if they go for testing or test positive."
"There are ways to address concerns about people who may be putting people's health at risk. People can notify public health or the bylaw officer if they are concerned.
"But Algoma Public Health is walking a fine line between protecting the health of the public and the rights of the individual," Groh added.
"Some people's behaviour can be discouraging," Groh noted.
In response to a question about a variant strain.of COVID-19 being identified in Sudbury, one reader wanted know if a variant comes to Elliot Lake if it would be acknowledged by Algoma Public Health.
Dr. Groh responded that "I believe Public Health would make the presence of a variant strain public because they have been doing that in other communities."