North Bay Jail getting back to normal after COVID-19 outbreak

The Solicitor General of Ontario told BayToday that the North Bay Jail started to resume routine operations once again on July 14. 

"The ministry does not publicly disclose details on inmate transfers for security reasons," said Andrew Morrison, Media Relations with the Ministry of the Solictor General, in an email to BayToday.  

"The ministry continues to work closely with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the North Bay Jail. The ministry can confirm there are no active COVID-19 cases among inmates or staff at the facility."

See related: Health Unit reports COVID-19 outbreak at local jail

See related: Jail outbreak now complete; one more death

See related: COVID-19 to force jail to temporarily close

In mid June,  the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) declared a  COVID-19 respiratory outbreak at the North Bay Jail in Corridor 3 of the facility located on Trout Lake Road in North Bay. 

In total 43 individuals tested positive in connection with the outbreak ending on July 12. 

On June 23, officials told BayToday the jail was forced to close due to the outbreak. 

"The Health Unit is working with the North Bay Jail, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and North Bay Regional Health Centre’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre to support with outbreak protocols, including testing, preventatives measures, and case and contact management. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are currently self-isolating and the Health Unit has contacted individuals deemed to be at high-risk," Morrison added. 

Morrison says each provincial correctional facility has its own pandemic plan in place prepared in consultation with local public health partners.

"If an inmate tests positive for COVID-19, they are placed under droplet precautions and isolated from the rest of the inmate population while they receive appropriate medical care," he said. 

"The ministry continues to work with local public health authorities to complete contact tracing as needed, and voluntary testing of inmates is ongoing." 

For more information on the operational changes implemented at provincial correctional facilities to respond to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/Corrections/CorrectionalServicesUpdateCOVID19.html