THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it is aware of elevated COVID-19 risks associated with three pre-Christmas flights landing in the city.
In a release issued Tuesday afternoon, the TBDHU said the overall risk of someone being infected would be low, but they are advising individuals to monitor themselves carefully for symptoms, immediately self-isolate and to contact the health unit.
According to the Daily Hive, the federal government identified 71 flights with confirmed COVID-19 cases aboard, 34 international and 37 domestic, between Dec. 14 and Dec. 24.
Of the domestic flights, three landed in Thunder Bay: Air Canada Jazz Flight 7936 on Dec. 22, affecting rows 13 to 19; Air Canada Jazz Flight 7936 on Dec. 21 affecting rows 18 to 24; and Air Canada Flight 7932 on Dec. 20 affecting rows 14 to 20.
A TBDHU spokesman on Tuesday said the health unit strongly recommends against all non-essential travel outside of Northwestern Ontario, but if someone does travel for essential or urgent reasons, they should stay home for 14 days, especially if returning from a high-risk area.
They should carefully monitor for symptoms, stay separate from other household members and if any symptoms do develop, the entire household, whether or not they travelled, should self-isolate. If symptoms do develop, the person in question should follow the instructions of the health unit's testing access page to have a test conducted.
The health unit said the self-isolation period means one should not interact with others outside their household or have visitors in their home.
There is no indication there is any spread of COVID-19 from the three affected flights.
