THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is postponing all non-essential services and elective surgeries.
The move includes most outpatient services and goes into effect on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
“Although cancellations can be frustrating, patients are being supportive. They understand that this measure is taken in their best interest, and for the protection of the entire community. We all want to curb the spread of COVID-19,” said Stewart Kennedy, the hospital’s COVID-19 incident manager.
Those who require urgent care will still be seen and essential services, including stroke care and life-and-limb-saving surgeries, will still occur.
“A planned approach to temporarily reducing elective surgeries and non-essential services is important to the COVID-19 response. This measure reduces unnecessary visits to the Hospital, and keeps medical resources, including the work force, available in case COVID-19 cases in Ontario continue to rise," said chief of staff Zaki Ahmed in a release issued on Wednesday by the hospital.
More information is available at www.tbdhu.com/coronavirus and https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-english-2020-02-18.pdf.
