Shared on behalf of Adam Vinet, VP, Patient Experience, CNE & RVP, Regional Cancer Care
The rate of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) in Thunder Bay and Region have significantly reduced over the past several weeks. In light of the decreased ILI activity, the Hospital will be moving to Level 2 masking protocols.
Starting Monday, March 16, 2026, mandatory masking will decrease from Level 3 to Level 2 across all inpatient units, outpatient departments and patient-facing clinical areas within the hospital.
With this change, all Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and Essential Care Partner’s (ECPs)/Care Partner’s (CPs) must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask when entering every patient room, exam rooms or other patient-facing care spaces, and when unable to maintain 6ft physical distancing standards.
All ECPs/CPs visiting inpatient rooms, must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask when entering a patient’s room and at any time they are unable to maintain 6ft physical distancing standards.
All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and ECPs/CPs are encouraged to exercise their own risk analysis and level of comfort for masking above the minimum requirements. Masking is required at all times for anyone who fails self-screening and their presence is essential at the hospital and/or masking is deemed necessary based on IPAC protocols. ECPs/CPs are discouraged from visiting the Hospital if they are experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness.
Masks will continue to be made available at all public/staff entrances on the sanitizing stands, as well as at the unit/department level should you or a member of the public require a mask.
Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and ECPs/CPs will continue to wear a Level 3 procedure mask at all times while on the Acute Oncology wing of 1A, for protection of the patients. In order to reduce the spread of communicable diseases we encourage everyone to follow proper hand hygiene techniques.
Thank you for your commitment to keeping our patients, staff and Hospital safe. If you have any questions, please ask your manager or reach out to IPAC at extension 6094 for further details on best practices.