No more news releases reporting deaths related to COVID-19

Although the information will continue to be made available from the North Bay District Health Unit's COVID-19 dashboard, news releases to the media will no longer be issued if a COVID-19 related death occurs in the district.

Dr. Carol Zimbalatti made the announcement during the Health Unit's weekly media availability, Thursday morning.

Last weekend, the Health Unit reported the deaths of the fifth and sixth individuals in the district who tested positive for COVID-19. Zimbalatti expressed her condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

"While the Health Unit feels that every death due to the COVID-19 pandemic is tragic, we are making efforts to avoid sensationalizing these events," said Zimbalatti, adding, "moving forward we will no longer be disseminating news releases when individuals have passed due to COVID-19."

Zimbalatti noted this brings the local organization in line with the reporting practices of other health units. "The information on the number of deaths will still be available on the COVID-19 status report on our website."

Asked if the change in policy came at the request of families or was a Health Unit decision, Zimbalatti replied, "This is a policy of the Health Unit and according to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, as well as privacy considerations and legislation, we cannot reveal case-level data of that nature."