Even with the surge in numbers, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s COVID-19 unit is still not full.
Chief of Staff Dr. Zaki Ahmed tells us there are 19 patients in the unit and there is room for more even if it reaches the 24 patient capacity.
Currently, the unit is located on 3A of the hospital, once it reaches the maximum, 3B would be open and if that becomes full it would expand even further.
At last count, there were ten patients in the Intensive Care Unit with an overall hospital capacity of 81 percent.
Dr. Ahmed indicates the staff at the hospital has been “fantastic” through this latest wave.
“They’re well trained, they’re compassionate, they’re ready for the challenge,” explained the hospital chief of staff.
He adds they are also watching for staff burnout because there is “always that fear.”
As a result, they are doing daily engagement sessions with managers and front-line staff to “make sure people aren’t overworked.”
