Hospital Declares COVID-19 Outbreak on 2B Medical Unit

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre confirms today an outbreak of COVID-19 is declared on our 2B Medical Unit. The health and safety of all staff, professional staff, patients and the community is our utmost priority.

The Ontario Ministry of Health defines a COVID-19 outbreak in a public hospital as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases (patients and/or staff) within a specified area (unit/floor/service) within a 14-day period where both cases could have reasonably acquired their infection in the hospital.

The low threshold for declaring an outbreak ensures that outbreak management measures, including increased infection prevention and control practices, can be put in place swiftly to contain any further spread. In collaboration with TBDHU, a thorough assessment of the situation is underway, including contact tracing and enhanced surveillance and testing activities. Anyone who is considered to be at risk will be notified.

As a precautionary measure, there will be no admissions to the 2B Medical Unit until further notice. For the safety of all, Essential Care Partners will not be permitted in 2B until the outbreak is resolved. Additional measures may be taken as needed to manage the situation.

Our Hospital remains open. Anyone requiring urgent care should feel safe attending our Hospital or Emergency Department to access that care.

The Virtual Emergency Department is available to provide safe, quality urgent care to qualifying patients from the comfort of their home. Visit www.tbrhsc.net/VirtualED for more information.