As HIV cases rise across Canada, the numbers have stabilized in northwestern Ontario for now [Video]

While there’s been a 35 per cent jump in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases across Canada, the numbers have stabilized in northwestern Ontario — and health-care workers largely attribute it to harm reduction services available in the region.

The incident rate in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s (TBDHU) catchment area was higher than the Ontario average between 2018 and 2021, with an outbreak declared in 2019 following a surge in cases.

Sixteen cases were confirmed in 2021 alone, but the health unit has since tracked 16 cases from 2022 to now.

“Our outbreak really impacted individuals who are homeless, underhoused and who are using substances, and so we have a street outreach team here that really supports individuals in accessing testing,” said Kandace Belanger, manager of street outreach, harm reduction and sexual health programs for the TBDHU.

Still, the national trends are concerning — there were 2,434 new HIV …