THUNDER BAY – Health authorities have reported one new COVID-related death, along with an increase in hospitalizations and the local test positivity rate.
The virus has now been deemed a contributing or underlying factor in a total of 91 deaths in the district since the onset of the pandemic.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reported 51 people in hospitals across the district positive for COVID-19, with three in the ICU. Those figures stood at 40 and four, respectively, in the agency’s last update on Wednesday.
The health unit's hospitalization figures are accurate to the end of day on Wednesday.
Thunder Bay’s regional hospital reported there were 38 people admitted with COVID-19 as of Friday, with three in ICU.
Hospital leaders have said the spread of COVID-19 in the community has recently increased wait times in its emergency department.
The health unit reported 12 outbreaks in high-risk settings as of Friday.
That included outbreaks at long-term care homes Southbridge Roseview Manor, Pioneer Ridge, Hogarth Riverview Manor, Chartwell Glaciew Ridge, Southbridge Pinewood, the Chartwell Isabella retirement residence, and the St. Joseph’s Care Group Hospital, as well as others not disclosed by the health unit.
The health unit reported a 24 per cent testing positivity rate for the most recent week of May 1 to 7, on approximately 1,823 tests.
That rate was up from 16.7 per cent the previous week.
The health unit was tracking 274 active cases, down from 307 on Wednesday, though health authorities have warned the figure is not a reliable indicator due to limited testing availability.
