HKPR District Health Unit Clarifies VOC Situation

In Local

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Shortly after concluding this week’s media scrum, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmill amended one piece of information he had delivered.


Instead of eight variants of concern, he said in a release issued after he had (as promised) dug deeper into the records, there are nine.

“The situation with VOCs can change quickly,” Dr. Gemmill said.


Of the nine cases, seven are in Northumberland County and two are in the City of Kawartha Lakes. These consist of three clusters – like the three family members in the same Port Hope household Dr. Gemmill reported on last week – and one single case.


“In all these situations, these local VOCs are well under control, as the people involved are isolating and limiting their contacts.”


Dr. Gemmill reiterated that all were acquired outside the HKPR community. As he had mentioned about an hour earlier at the scrum, they occurred either from local residents travelling elsewhere or people from elsewhere travelling here.
“What is worrisome is the continuing spread of coronavirus variants across Ontario,” Dr. Gemmill said in his subsequent announcement.


“We are likely to see more of these VOCs in our region, so the need to take public health prevention measures continues to be important until more people are vaccinated.”

Pete Fisher
Author: Pete Fisher

Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love

Join Our Newsletter!

Want to keep up to date on news and events in Northumberland? Subscribe to newsletter!

You may also read!

Road Line Painting Season Underway Across Northumberland County

(Northumberland County photo) Northumberland County and its local municipalities are beginning the annual road line painting program, an important seasonal

Read More...

Cobourg Police – Woman Charged in Intimate Partner Violence

A 22-year-old Cobourg woman is facing charges after an intimate partner violence investigation. On July 14, 2026, at approximately 6:10

Read More...

Cobourg Police – Mischief Investigation at Chris Garrett Memorial Park

The Cobourg Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in connection with a mischief investigation at Chris Garrett Memorial

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu