Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer is again urging everyone to practice proper prevention methods to contain any spread of COVID-19.
Theresa Tam suggests with confirmed cases growing every day there is a need to try to stem that growth as soon as possible.
“We don’t just need to flatten the curve, we need to plank it,” says Tam when discussing the progression of the illness. She adds “We need everyone from government to communities, families, and individuals to work together. We all have got to get it right and get it right right now.”
Tam is also reminding us not to forget about our Indigenous people during the COVID crisis.
She indicates they are “at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 given health inequities, higher rates of underlying medical conditions, and unique health challenges such as those faced by fly-in and fly-out communities.”
The latest figures show there are 800 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada and nine deaths.
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 a care partner 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.
