THUNDER BAY - The city’s Emergency Control Group is commending the efforts of the people of Thunder Bay to limit the spread of COVID-19 and while the public needs to remain vigilant, Mayor Bill Mauro said calls for a regional reopening of the economy are growing.
The Municipal Emergency Control Group met on Thursday to discuss the ongoing management of the COVID-19 situation and assess how it has handled the first wave of the pandemic in the city.
One of the issues brought forward was reopening the region before other parts of the province hit harder by COVID-19.
“I know that the calls for a regional opening or a reconsideration of a regional reopening are growing,” Mauro said. “I do know the premier to this point has not considered it. He is making his decision on whatever medical opinion or advice he is getting.”
Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly said that reopening Ontario will be a province wide approach and he stated this again during his daily media briefing on Thursday.
“I’ve said from day one and I continue to do it,” Ford said. “I have to take the advice of our medical professionals, the chief medical officer. I understand it’s different. We are concerned.”
“We just have to be cautious. I don’t disagree with you. But I have to follow science and the medical advice. I always have and I always will. I have to take their advice.”
But Mauro pointed to other provinces like Saskatchewan that have taken a regional approach to lifting restrictions and he thinks if the city remains where it is in terms of infections, there could be a reconsideration.
“I think if the numbers continue to remain as low as they are, there will probably be more consideration given to a regional reopening,” he said. “My only thought is what it may lead to, but those are questions for the medical professions to advise on.”
However, it’s still unlikely to happen anytime soon. This week the province extended its emergency orders to June 9, which includes restricting social gatherings to fewer than five people.
“Unless that number five rule is changed, I’m not sure it’s going to get considered,” Mauro said. “That’s really the primary provincial order that is dictating how things unfold.”
But in terms of the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mauro said all organizations such as the city of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and the general public have done a good job.
“Our numbers are good so collectively we can feel good about that,” he said. “We understand our geographic isolation is part of the reasons our numbers are as low as they are, so we are not trying to overplay our role. But we have all done what we can do and take some gratitude in the way things have turned out at least to this point.”
Since the pandemic began, the Thunder Bay region has seen 81 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 79 resolved and one death.
In terms of testing, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has conducted 9,230 tests, with 309 still pending results.
Dr. Janet DeMille, chief medical officer of health, said she is still waiting to hear more details regarding the province’s testing strategy.
“Testing plays an important role in how we move forward with re-opening both to quickly identify individuals with COVID-19 as well as to monitor what’s happening in the community,” she said.
Anyone with any symptom of COVID-19, even if mild, are encouraged to get tested. Last week, Premier Doug Ford said anyone who has concerns about possible exposure to COVID-19, even if not showing symptoms, should be tested as well.
For more information on testing, visit the Thunder Bay District Health Unit website.
Anyone with concerns about businesses and individuals not following Ontario’s COVID-19 related orders can phone (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1 (888) 294-6630 to report any instances of non-compliance, including residents gathering in large groups.
The phone lines are monitored between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
