Pandemic trending in a positive direction in HKPR area

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking had some positive news to share during a virtual press conference, on Wednesday, February 9th.

“We are seeing, I think, multiple indicators that things are improving and COVID-19 transmission is decreasing,” Dr. Bocking told reporters.

“Something, we’ve been hesitant to say for sure, but I think we do have multiple indicators looking like it’s moving in this direction, which is a very welcome sign.”

She noted the health unit had seen improvements in the test positivity rate for the area and a lower number of COVID-19 related outbreaks. The health unit is also seeing low absentee rates in area schools.

“I don’t anticipate we’ll be going back to the very high numbers [which] we were seeing at the peak of this wave,” Dr. Bocking said.

However, she stressed the need for “cautious optimism” following the announcement of this trend.

“While things are improving, it doesn’t mean we throw everything we know to the wind and pretend [Covid-19] is not here. We know this is not a benign virus. It’s not mild, certainly by a long shot, for a large number of people. So we need to be aware of that and work together to protect our most vulnerable community members.”

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