RENFREW COUNTY – The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is reporting the district’s second death related to COVID-19.

The first COVID-related death occurred at the outset of the pandemic last March.

The RCDHU says 61 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in January, with a week remaining. That is the highest total of any month since the COVID-19 pandemic was officially declared in Canada last March.

Renfrew County’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Cushman, says after the holidays there was a rise in cases related to gatherings and a lack of adherence to public health measures. Cushman says since then, cases in Renfrew County and District have remained relatively low, and the aim is to keep trending downward.

On Monday, Jan. 25, Renfrew County and District elementary and secondary schools will be permitted to resume in-person learning.

Dr. Cushman says it is our firm hope that keeping the numbers low and rolling out the vaccines will put this behind us. He says we need to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay home. Stay Safe. Save lives.