The North Bay Jail is temporarily closing for at least 14 days due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
That word from Andrew Morrison, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General in a statement to MyNorthBayNow.com
“In consultation with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, and to ensure the safety and well-being of both correctional services staff and those in provincial custody, the ministry has decided to temporarily close the North Bay Jail for a minimum of 14 days,” writes Morrison.
He says about 61 inmates will be transferred to other facilities “that have capacity and ability to isolate these inmates under droplet precautions separately from the general population.”
He adds that the ministry does not publicly disclose details on inmate transfers for security reasons.
“This temporary closure will allow facility staff to self-isolate and reduce the risk of transmission within the community,” says Morrison. “All appropriate COVID-19 related protocols are in place at the receiving facilities, and the inmates from the North Bay Jail who are COVID-19 positive will be isolated from the rest of the inmate population under droplet precautions at the receiving facilities while they receive appropriate medical care. The ministry is working with the health unit to complete contact tracing of inmate cases.”
Morrison says the ministry is working closely with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to respond to the outbreak, noting each provincial correctional facility has its own pandemic plan in place prepared in consultation with local public health partners.
There are currently 32 COVID-positive cases among inmates at the North Bay Jail.