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!

Peterborough Police – Incidents Include Criminal Harassment Arrest, Theft

Criminal Harassment Arrest A 14-year-old Peterborough male is facing a charge of criminal harassment after an incident. On Wednesday, August 13,

Read More...

Peterborough Police – Drug Warrant Arrests (No Names Released

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, members of the Peterborough Police Service Drug and Intelligence Unit with the assistance of

Read More...

Update – Cobourg Transit Bus Fixed and Back on the Road

A Cobourg transit bus that was casting out a smokey cloud of exhaust was fixed and placed back on

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu