THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro fears a surge in COVID-19 case in the region could impact Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s ability to deal with local residents who contract the disease.
Mauro, who met Thursday with the Municipal Emergency Control Group monitoring COVID-19, said earlier in the week he wrote to regional mayors, urging them to work with local health officials to support capacity closer to home to help the critically ill.
The mayor also reached out to Minister of Health Christine Elliott to convey similar concerns.
“We need to continue to strategize with our health units, hospitals and the Ministry of Health on the critical issue of regional capacity for assisting the critically ill,” Mauro said, in release issued on Thursday by the city.
Mauro also urged the public to do its part to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, which has been detected in eight people in the Thunder Bay District and Northwestern health units, including new cases in Sioux Lookout and Dryden.
“We have a coordinated community response and that helps us in this fight,” Mauro said.
“When the global pandemic recedes, any success we have had on containing the impact of COVID-19 on Thunder Bay will depend on each of us. We need people to stay in their own communities – in their own homes. That's what will prevent the spread of the virus. Stay home. Stay healthy, Thunder Bay.”
