THUNDER BAY — Over the past six days, numerous COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in local long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit reports seven new outbreaks since Nov. 15, including three that were disclosed on Monday.
According to information published by the TBDHU, the latest affected facilities include Unit 3B and Unit 2A at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Walford Thunder Bay (facility-wide), home area two at Pioneer Ridge, 5 South at Hogarth Riverview Manor, 3 South at St. Joseph's Hospital, and the Blue Heron unit at Southbridge Pinewood.
A COVID outbreak that was declared Nov. 2 at Chartwell Thunder Bay retirement residence also remains in effect.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Long-Term Care ordered Ontario nursing homes to implement enhanced masking requirements out of concern that COVID-19 cases were increasing across the province.
The ministry cited a moderate-to-high level of community transmission, and suggested COVID activity would peak within a few weeks, in concert with an anticipated rise in influenza and respiratory synctial virus (RSV) cases.
