The COVID outbreak at the North Bay jail has now infected 13 people says the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
As of today, that's how many have tested positive and the outbreak has been upgraded to "facility-wide" due to the further spread of the virus within the jail.
"No COVID-19 infections have resulted in serious illness requiring hospitalization," says the Health Unit in a news release.
See: Ten new cases of COVID Tuesday
"As part of outbreak management protocols at the North Bay Jail, the Health Unit continues its work in collaboration with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the North Bay Regional Health Centre’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre and the North Bay Jail to prevent further spread of COVID-19 within the facility," says the release.
Preventive steps taken to date include:
- Ongoing COVID-19 testing of staff and individuals in custody
- Self-isolation of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19
- Management of high-risk close contacts of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19
- Increased screening and cleaning protocols
The Health Unit will be offering staff of the North Bay Jail their second dose of vaccine this week and the Ministry of the Solicitor General will be offering prisoners their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or first dose for those who have not yet received their vaccine.
“Our staff are working closely with the North Bay Jail to help prevent further spread,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health. “Through the implementation of outbreak interventions and preventative measures we hope to see the individuals recover and stop transmission within the facility.”
