Nine Cases of COVID-19 in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit Region
Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is reporting five additional cases, for a total of nine cases, of COVID-19 in the TBDHU region.
A public health investigation and follow-up begins immediately upon receipt of a positive result, including after regular operating hours. The investigation of the five new reports from yesterday are currently in progress. As part of the investigation, TBDHU staff gather a wide range of information to assess the possibility of spread of the virus to others and will follow up directly with individuals who may have been exposed. Information will be provided publically as indicated by the investigation.
“As we see increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay area, it is very important that we all are taking appropriate measures to slow the spread of the virus in the community,” said Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health. “This includes staying home and leaving only for essential trips, staying home when sick, frequent hand washing, maintaining a two-metre distance from other people and other measures. These are uncertain times. Working together as community partners and as community members, we can make a difference.”
Case Announcements
With expectations that the number of COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) region will continue to increase, TBDHU will no longer issue media releases to announce each new case but will keep up-to-date case information on its website. TBDHU will continue to issue news releases to inform the community of important local developments as needed.
TBDHU will post daily updates on its website. Positive cases will be posted in real-time, and numbers related to the following will be updated on specific daily time cycles: negative test results, cases currently under investigation with test results pending, confirmed positive test results, and resolved cases.
Measures you can take to protect yourselves and reduce the spread of the virus to others.
- Wash your hands frequently for at least twenty seconds with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
- Stay home if you are sick
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding close contact with other people. This means staying at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart from others.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces around you, especially high touch surfaces, for example, phones and doorknobs.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
If individuals in self-isolation develop symptoms, they should contact the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at (807) 625-5900 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630.
For additional information about COVID-19 and the TBDHU area, please see the TBDHU Website and social media channels. Additional updates will also be provided as needed.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
