THUNDER BAY – A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared for the third floor of the Bethammi nursing home in Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit announced the outbreak at the Carrie Street home Friday after a single staff member recently tested positive, in accordance with provincial guidelines.
The low threshold for declaring an outbreak ensures enhanced infection prevention and control practices are put in place early to contain any potential spread, the agency explained.
The health unit has initiated a thorough assessment of the situation, it said in a release, and will work with operator St. Joseph’s Care Group on enhanced measures including surveillance and testing.
The 112-bed facility was part of the initial roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the health unit advised. It was not immediately clear whether residents there had yet received a second vaccine dose, however.
Provincial guidelines around the declaration and maintenance of outbreaks remains the same regardless of the vaccination status of LTC residents, however.
