Hospital COVID-19 Update

Shared on behalf of Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO, TBRHSC, CEO, TBRHRI and Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead

As the number of patients in our Hospital with COVID-19 increases, we are taking further actions to ensure the safest possible environment for patients and staff.

Our current medical / surgical Hospital occupancy is at approximately 96.9% and our ICU occupancy is at 86.4%. As of today, there are 14 patients admitted to TBRHSC who are COVID-19 positive. Of those, 3 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Here are some immediate updates aimed at supporting you during these challenging times:

  • We are working with our Clinicians to triage and pause non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures to preserve capacity, as per Ministry Directive #2. Further details on departmental impacts are forthcoming.
  • We have opened a dedicated COVID-19 Care Unit on 3B to allow patients to be cared for in a specific ward that keeps them and others safe.
  • In alignment with Ministry of Health Guidance, and in order to preserve our health human resources, we are adjusting our Assessment Centre operations to support our health care workers in high-risk settings, and specific setting populations.
  • Inpatients and outpatients will be granted one ECP unless indicated otherwise: https://comms.tbrhsc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Memo-Revised-Essential-Care-Partner-Guidelines-December-31-2021.pdf

In addition, the decision was made to declare an outbreak on 3A in collaboration with Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) as per the Ministry of Health’s definition in a public hospital. This outbreak declaration will enable us to shift our resources and ensure increased infection prevention and control practices can be put in place swiftly to contain any further spread. We are conducting a thorough assessment of the situation and aligning our supports to enhance surveillance and testing activities. Anyone considered to be at risk will be notified. As a precautionary measure, there will be no admissions to 3A Surgical until further notice. Additional measures may be taken as needed to manage the situation.

Our Hospital’s internal COVID-19 pandemic response is at Red (Control). Plans are in place to shift our response activities to adapt our bed capacity and staffing needs as the situation requires.

We will keep you updated first on any changes or developments in what we all know is a fast-changing situation. Thank you for your continued efforts and adaptability as we work through these challenging times.

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are also available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/