THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is warning local pickleball players of possible exposure to COVID-19 infection.
Anyone who played pickleball at four local recreation centres between Nov. 3 and Nov. 13 is directed to immediately self-isolate by the health unit.
Three people who played the sport in at least two local recreation centres, the Polish Combatants Branch #1 (formerly known as the Polish Legion) and Moose Hall, have so far tested positive for COVID-19, while the health unit advised additional individuals had been identified with symptoms, and were getting tested.
There is reason to believe players at two other locations, the North McIntyre Rec Centre and the West Thunder Community Centre, may also have been exposed, the health unit said in a letter dated Saturday.
A copy of the letter was posted in a local pickleball Facebook group Saturday evening, and sent to Tbnewswatch by a local resident.
The information was seemingly not made available to the broader public until Sunday afternoon, when the health unit posted it via social media.
The health unit directed all pickleball players who had played at the above four locations – the Polish Legion, Moose Hall, North McIntyre Rec Centre, and West Thunder Community Centre – to self-isolate immediately, and contact the health unit at (807) 625-5900.
"At this time, we would consider anyone who attended any pickleball session/practice/event at any of these four locations as High Risk Contacts for COVID-19," the letter stated. "It is important that we be able to talk to you.
The health unit is working with the local pickleball association to identify contacts, it said Saturday.
Tbnewswatch has reached out to the health unit for additional information on the situation.
