THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has declared an outbreak on its 2B medical unit.
The decision means no one will be admitted to the ward until further notice and essential care partners will not be permitted on the floor until the outbreak has been resolved.
Additional measures may also be taken should they be warranted, a hospital release, issued on Tuesday night, indicates.
According to the release, a COVID-19 outbreak is declared anytime there are two or more confirmed cases, whether patients or staff, within a specificied hospital area in a 14-day period and it's reasonably possible both cases were acquired at the hospital.
"The low threshold for declaring an outbreak ensures that outbreak management measures, including increased infection prevention and control practices, can be put in place swiftly to contain any further spread. In collaboration with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU), a thorough assessment of the situation is underway, including contact tracing and enhanced surveillance and testing activities. Anyone who is considered to be at risk will be notified," the release reads.
"Our hospital remains open. Anyone requiring urgent care should feel safe attending our hospital or emergency department to access that care.
The virtual emergency department is available to provide safe, quality urgent care to qualifying patients from the comfort of their home.
The hospital has not said whether or not the cases that led to the outbreak involve patients or staff.
