THUNDER BAY — The man leading the COVID-19 response at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre sounded exasperated Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Stewart Kennedy expressed frustration with people who refuse to follow the hospital's requirements and public health guidelines for mitigating the spread of the virus.
He referred to an incident at the hospital earlier in the day, describing it as "really distressing to me."
Kennedy said individuals "continue to come into our outpatient department, our emergency department, and refuse to wear a mask...not many...and refuse to get swabbed. The risk that puts the rest of our hospital, our employees, other patients, is totally disrespectful to what we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis."
The doctor said it's urgent that everyone respect the need to protect themselves and others during the pandemic.
"Please. Wear your mask. If a swab is suggested, get the swab done instead of declining to get appropriate medical care...It's very distressing to deal with this nonsense when we have a COVID-19 eruption here in the community."
Travel restrictions will tighten on Wednesday
TBRHSC has decided to tighten travel restrictions affecting people entering the hospital.
Under the current policy, individuals who have recently travelled anywhere outside Northern Ontario fail the initial screening procedure, and are denied immediate entry.
As of Wednesday, the permitted travel zone will be downsized to Northwestern Ontario only.
"Patients will be screened too. We're not declining service whatsoever. They'll be screened, and appropriate personal protective equipment will be worn if they need urgent care," Dr. Kennedy said.
The travel guidelines are being tightened with the approach of the Christmas holiday season.
"This is important to consider...We expect travellers coming up from high-risk areas to Thunder Bay. We discourage any non-essential travel, both outside Northwestern Ontario and inside Northwestern Ontario," Kennedy said, "but it's going to happen."
He appealed to people who do travel to follow all public health guidelines, including self-isolation upon arriving in the city.
Nine of 14 new COVID-19 cases involve people over 60 years old
Dr. Kennedy said hospital staff are upset about the death Monday night of an elderly patient who was in the ICU with COVID-19.
"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual. Certainly our staff are taking it with difficulty. It's an unfortunate event, but this is happening all across Ontario."
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit on Tuesday reported 14 new COVID-19 cases, including 13 in the city and immediate area.
The other case is in Marathon, according to a doctor in that community.
An examination of the TBDHU's data shows that nine of the 14 cases involve people over the age of 60, including four women over the age of 80.
Southbridge Roseview long-term care home is currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak.
Southbridge announced Tuesday that 12 of its residents the Shuniah Street nursing home have now tested positive for the virus, double the number reported on Monday.
A third staff member has also been infected, up from two on Monday.
Residents are quarantined in the facility, and staff are self-isolating.
