The Timiskaming Health Unit region is moving to the red level of COVID-19 restrictions.
The change is effective Friday, March 26.
Due to concerning trends in the region, the decision was made at the request of the medical officer of health, according to the provincial announcement.
"As a result of a rapid worsening in trends of key health indicators in the Timiskaming region, we are making the difficult but necessary decision to immediately move the region to a new level with stronger public health measures in place," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a news release. "Our government will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the health and well-being of all individuals, families and their communities."
Last week, Timiskaming moved from the orange level of restrictions to the less restrictive yellow level.
From March 16 to 22, the case rates have increased from 3.1 to 24.5 cases per 100,000, which is an increase of 700 per cent. More cases are expected in the coming days. There is also currently an outbreak at the Kirkland Lake hospital, and one person died from the virus this week.
"Through discussions with the local medical officer of health and local authorities on the current situation in the Timiskaming area, it was decided immediate action was needed to help ensure the continued health and safety of people in the region and minimize further transmission," said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "As we fight this third wave of COVID-19, everyone is strongly urged to continue following all public health measures and advice and stay home as much as possible to help save lives."
To date, there have been 126 confirmed cases of the virus in the Timiskaming region. Of those, 107 are resolved and two people have died. There are 17 known active cases.
For variants of concern, there has been one confirmed case of the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) strain and one confirmed South African (B.1.351) strain. There are seven cases that have screened positive for a variant of concern and have been sent for further testing to determine what strain it is.
