Algoma Public Health's changing the way it manages COVID-19 cases and contacts.
The health unit says it's redirecting resources to focus on immunization as it focuses on responding to rapid spread amid the highly transmissible Omicron variant, and high case counts in this region, which are expected to rise.
As part of that effort, the health unit says it will no longer provide "direct guidance" to all close contacts or updates to workplaces where there is an active case, instead focusing local case and contact management efforts on "highest risk settings" only - including hospitals, health care settings, long-term care and retirement homes, congregate living settings, schools, daycares, and First Nation communities - while the provincial workforce supporting case management in Ontario will contact individual cases not connected to a highest risk setting exposure, providing guidance on testing, self-isolation, and informing household members and other close contacts.
It does warn that there may be delays in being contacted - given the anticipated surge in cases - so anyone who's symptomatic or awaiting test results or have received positive test results should take action without waiting for a call by following guidance on its site, testing, self-isolating, and notifying any close contacts as directed.