Officials at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre confirm there have been no positive tests for COVID-19 in Thunder Bay, although they are expecting it anytime.
They made that announcement Friday morning at a conference at the hospital.
Hospital officials say they want to dispel some misconceptions about the virus and how it’s being handled in the city.
Mayor Bill Mauro repeated the situation is constantly changing, and every decision is based on professional medical opinion. He alluded to the fact social media is great in helping people reach out to others and maintain some kind of social interaction, on line. But there’s also the flip side of social media, which is full of rumours and misinformation.
As for enforcement of social distancing, or slowing down the amount of hoarding some people continue to do at the grocery store, the mayor noted it could get to the point the only type of “enforcement” is for everyone to realize COVID-19 is a real, global problem, and everyone must buy into it. It only takes one or two people not cooperating with repeated medical advise, to cause a problem, and nothing any elected official says will make a difference. He also pointed out the number of people allowed in a crowd is always changing, as well as many other decisions made dealing with this virus.
City hall hours will be reduced from 10am to 2pm, daily. The provincial government is allowing city council to work through electronic means, including for voting purposes, and adjustments will be made for city council meetings. Work on delivering financial relief to residents is coming.
Dr. Stewart Kennedy stressed the hospital is still open for business, but only for essential care. As of Friday, the 20th, that includes priority surgery and diseases such as cancer. He urged people to still talk to family doctors, despite the overwhelming burden of COVID-19. Kennedy added the hospital has been implementing its pandemic plan for months. He also pointed out the hospital is reducing services, even though there is no confirmed case yet, so there is ample room to handle people infected when the virus arrives in Thunder Bay. The hospital is also looking at moving different areas around to accommodate potential needed room for COVID patients, something he adds is also a fluid situation. He adds the hospital is the quietest he’s ever seen it, but the need to be ready is the best plan.
Dr. Zaki Ahmed is thanking everyone at the hospital from administrators, to doctors, to cleaning staff for their extra efforts. He pointed out some people are not tested, who want to be tested, simply because evidence points out if you don’t have symptoms, such as fever, coughing or trouble breathing, there’s no point. It’s also getting to the point where anyone, any age, healthy or not, can get this virus. As for any vaccine, once it’s developed, there’ll be human trials, production, which means six to eight months before its available. He adds as of Friday, 85 swabs have been sent for testing. Dr. Ahmed admitted it’s likely COVID-19 is in the community, but not confirmed, but it’s up to everyone to maintain preventative social procedures that have been repeated again and again. So far, all needs of the community have been met. And if you get the virus, stay home if not treated at hospital, as the majority of people will recover.
City officials add videos of information are made daily, and stress people get that information from reliable sources.
