THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will no longer report instances of low-risk exposure to COVID-19 on flights, saying the public is better served turning to a federal website.
On Monday, the health unit announced it would immediately cease reporting potential exposures on local flights. It had done so until now via social media, press release, and its website.
Residents are now advised to find the information at a Government of Canada website.
Those who have travelled are recommended to periodically check the site for two weeks afterwards.
The TBDHU continues to strongly recommend against any non-essential travel, it stressed.
The local health unit is not always aware of exposures on local flights when the infected individual is not a district resident, the agency explained Monday.
That raised concerns its database was painting an incomplete picture of potential exposures.
The federal database is “not exhaustive,” the government warns, but captures reports from various domestic and international health authorities.
Anyone impacted by an exposure is instructed to monitor for symptoms, immediately self-isolate if they have even one symptom, and call the health unit at (807) 625-5900.
The health unit has warned of exposure on numerous flights, including at least seven Toronto-Thunder Bay flights over the holiday period.
