The Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit is confident the COVID-19 outbreak at the Correctional Centre on Highway 61 can be contained.
The facility reported 43 cases on Thursday and Dr. Janet DeMille says a lot of work has already been done to control it.
“We’re managing it by trying to get a good sense of the outbreak, so there is some broad testing being done…along with…separating those who are positive from those who don’t have COVID and making sure there is no intermingling of those people,” explains DeMille.
She adds they are also trying to protect staff so they do not become infected by “Making sure they’re wearing full personal protective equipment that can really protect them as well…as reducing the chances of spreading it to somebody else.”
Dr. DeMille says there is a “very active investigation” which is going on and will continue over the next few days.
Meantime, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General says “a number” of inmates at the Thunder Bay Jail were transferred to the Toronto South Detention Centre temporarily to reduce crowding and reduce the risk of infection.
The jail has 12 active inmate COVID-19 cases and six positive cases among staff, while the Correctional Centre has 42 cases among inmates and two infected staff members.
In an email, Andrew Morrison says those inmates were at low risk for COVID-19 and will be isolated for 14 days when they arrive.
(With Files From Vic Krasowski and Colin Redston-Thunder Bay)
