THUNDER BAY — A second person in the Thunder Bay area has died after being infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's COVID-19 incident manager, Dr. Stewart Kennedy, made the announcement at a news conference at the hospital this morning.
The individual, said to be elderly, died Monday night in the Intensive Care Unit, exactly seven months after the death of the virus's first victim in the district.
According to a source in the pickleball community, the death is connected to the recent COVID-19 outbreak involving numerous local pickleball players.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit had reported Monday that three people were in the hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19, including two in the intensive care unit.
Late this morning, the TBDHU posted an update showing two people are still in hospital, but none are in the ICU.
The latest data from the health unit shows 14 new active cases since Monday, and a current total of 82 active cases.
All 14 individuals who recently tested positive are self-isolating.
A dozen of the cases cases are listed as close contact, while two had no known exposure to the virus.
Thirteen of the individuals live in Thunder Bay or the surrounding townships. Only one lives in a community farther out in the district.
Hospital concerned by outbreak at Southbridge Roseview
Southbridge Care Homes reported this morning that 12 of its residents at Southbridge Roseview long-term care home have now tested positive for the virus, double the number reported on Monday.
Southbridge also reported a third staff member has been infected, up from two on Monday.
Dr. Kennedy described the outbreak at the nursing home as a significant concern.
"For the first time since March, I lost sleep, over this outbreak in Roseview," he said.
The hospital's COVID response team met this morning to take initial steps toward the potential reopening of a special COVID unit on 3A.
"We have not confirmed that yet because we are going to wait to see how things evolve with the Roseview incident," Kennedy said.
The normal trigger point for opening the COVID unit is six patients in hospital receiving treatment, but if there are indications that transfers to the hospital are imminent, it will be opened sooner.
The hospital is currently at 84 per cent capacity.
Some hospital staff have tested positive
Dr. Kennedy clarified the situation regarding hospital staff being diagnosed with the virus.
He said it happened several weeks ago, at the end of October and early this month.
The staff, Kennedy said, did not acquire the virus within the hospital.,and there has been no spread of COVID-19 within the hospital.
"There is no risk to hospital staff, there is no risk to patients, because they were caught early in the screening process and they followed all the rules."
Kennedy said the staff self-isolated after they were diagnosed, and there was extensive followup with all individuals who may have been exposed in all areas the people worked in.
He added "This is not unusual whatsoever. And we continue to stay on top of the areas."
