THUNDER BAY -- A COVID-19 outbreak has been declare on 1A Medicine at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The hospital has also moved into Grey-Lockdown mode.
As a result, no one will be admitted to the unit until further notice and essential care partners will not be allowed on 1A Medicine or 1A Oncology until the outbreak is reversed.
Hospital officials say an outbreak declaration is necessary when two or more cases are found in patients and/or staff in a two-week period and it's likely the virus was acquired within the hospital setting.
The declaration was made in consultation with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and allows the hospital to put measures in place to ensure the virus doesn't spread further in the facility.
"This outbreak, combined with high numbers of admitted patients who are COVID-19 positive and the heightened need for critical care services, has prompted our incident management team to advance our hospital’s internal COVID-19 pandemic response from Red (Control) to Grey (Lockdown)," reads a release issued on Friday evening by hospital officials.
"This involves additional strategies to make both space and staff available to respond to increasing critical care needs. Options are under investigation regarding patient transfers, reduced elective procedures and alternative spaces to provide care within the hospital. Information will be provided as decisions are confirmed."
The hospital remains open and anyone requiring urgent care should feel safe seeking treatment there. The virtual emergency department is also available to provide safe, quality urgent care to qualifying patients from the comfort of their home. Visit www.tbrhsc.net/virtualed for more information.
There are currently 46 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital, with 14 in intensive care.
