The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has announced that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials say the staff member is currently self-isolating and there have been no other reports of cases with other staff, physicians, or patients. The hospital continues to enact measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including restricting visitors and introducing a universal mask initiative for staff.
Hospital officials say the mask initiative sees staff who care for patients given two masks a shift, which is to be worn throughout the whole shift. For staff who do not provide direct care, they will be provided with one mask during the shift.
“In an effort to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission among our staff, physicians, patients, and community, our Health Centre instituted the universal mask initiative on April 8,” says Tiziana Silveri, Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “The safety of our patients and staff is always a priority and we are taking additional infection prevention and control measures including enhanced cleaning—all to continue to keep your Hospital safe.”
The hospital says it is working closely with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit on contact tracing activities to identify and follow-up with close contacts of the staff member confirmed positive for COVID-19.
As of Saturday at 8:30 p.m., there are 19 cases of COVID-19 in the health unit’s area, with 16 resolved. A total of 3,293 tests have been administered, with 604 tests awaiting results.