THUNDER BAY — Long-term care facilities in the Thunder Bay area are introducing new restrictions on visitors because of the threat from the COVID-19 virus.
St. Joseph's Care Group announced Tuesday that, effective immediately, in-person visitors are not permitted at St. Joseph's Hospital, Hogarth Riverview Manor and Bethammi Nursing Home.
Exceptions will only be made, on a case-by-case basis, for clients whose condition has deteriorated and who are approaching the end of their lives (generally 24 to 72 hours).
A similar restriction is also in place at the City of Thunder Bay's Pioneer Ridge nursing home, and at privately-operated nursing homes.
SJCG CEO Tracy Buckler, in a statement, said "These unprecedented times require the collective support of families, the public, clients and staff, with the hope that this global pandemic will be contained and that we will be able to return to business as usual."
Last week, SJCG implemented mandatory screening and visitor restrictions at all its sites for the duration of the pandemic.
However, Buckler said the situation has changed since then.
"There have been rapid and numerous developments in terms of containment of COVID-19 In accordance with Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health recommendations...and the ongoing safety and well being of our clients, we are stopping visitation at our long-term care homes and St. Joseph's Hospital," she stated.
For the limited number of visitors that may still be permitted, screening remains in place at all SJCG sites around the city.
These include Sister Leila Greco Apartments and PR Cook Apartments, where one designated visitor or care partner per tenant is currently permitted.
Unifor asks for mandatory visitor ban
Unifor, the union that represents long-term care workers at many facilities across Ontario, has called on the the provincial government to recognize the "extreme conditions" its members are working under.
Kari Jefford, president of local 229, says the COVID-19 virus was carried into a British Columbia nursing home by a visiting family member, and there has been a similar case in Niagara Falls.
"It's really important that people know they can go into work in a safe environment, and care for the people that are the most vulnerable," Jefford said in an interview Tuesday.
Acknowledging Ontario's declaration of a State of Emergency, she said "if you can't go into a bar or can't go into a restaurant, you probably shouldn't be visiting people in long-term care or the hospital."
Jefford said it's "excruciatingly" difficult to stand in front of a facility and not allow someone access to their loved one, but "ultimately, it's what we need done to protect our workers and the people they look after," and their family members.
She said the province is currently only advising nursing home operators to permit only essential visiting, but believes there should be a mandatory ban on access by everyone except nursing home staff until the virus is brought under control or a vaccine is developed.
Jefford also feels long-term care homes should increase their staffing during the emergency, in part to make up for the absence of family support for residents.
