(This story has been updated to reflect the latest caseload figures released by the Health Unit at 3 pm Thursday)
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reporting six new cases of COVID-19.
All six are in Nipissing District along with all 45 active cases.
Two more cases are resolved.
Three people are currently in hospital.
Meantime, it’s been a week since the province entered stage one of the reopening plan with a loosening of some restrictions.
Dr Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health, is imploring everyone to continue to follow all of the safety protocols.
“I know it’s difficult, people have been at this for a long time and are tired of it, but it’s our reality that we have to face. By following the distancing, the face coverings, as well as many people we can get vaccinated as quickly as possible, that’s all going to benefit everybody in the long run,” he says.
Chirico also says the province should maintain the 21-day intervals between reopenings.
“We’ve said it over and over again that the quickest path to a prolonged, sustained reopening is not to move too quickly and to resist the temptation to reopen quickly,” he says.
Chirico adds that it takes about two to three weeks before the full impact of the loosening of restrictions is known.
“Absolutely stick to the plan, stick to the 21 days,” he says.
Premier Doug Ford reiterated Thursday that he’ll be asking the province’s top doctor if a quicker reopening is possible.