Dentist offices and Optometrist offices across the region have been instructed to close to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario “strongly recommends” that its members only provide emergency treatment, and suspend all non-essential and elective dental services immediately.
The College of Optometrists of Ontario is also urging all optometry offices to provide urgent care only until March 29, 2020.
Some dental offices in Thunder Bay have confirmed they will be closed starting Tuesday, while another said they were still open as of Monday night. One optometrist in Thunder Bay confirms they will be closing. All dental offices in Dryden closed as of the end of the day Monday.
There are currently no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Thunder Bay. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is urging you to self-isolate for 14 days if you have been out of the country. Authorities are also urging you to get your news on COVID-19 from credible news sources and that the Health Unit will be confirming any cases which show up in the district.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has implemented restrictions as well. Only one person is allowed to visit any patient at any time and that person must be designated by the patient. Everyone entering the hospital is being screened. There is also an assessment centre set up just outside the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Screening protocols are also taking place at all city-run and private long term care facilities.
Public and Catholic schools in Thunder Bay will be closed until at least April 5th. Confederation College and Lakehead University have suspended classes this week in order to formulate an online learning plan for students.
