Hospital Well Prepared for Coronavirus
Published Monday, March 9, 2020
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is well prepared to handle the 2019 Novel Coronavirus should any cases become present in Thunder Bay.
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronaviruses cause illness ranging from the common cold, to more serious infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Although it was declared a global health emergency, there have been very few confirmed cases in Ontario and the risk to Ontarians remains low.
Our Hospital is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and our partners implementing a robust plan to monitor for, detect and, if needed, isolate any cases of the virus.
“The health and safety of patients and families in Northwestern Ontario is our top priority. People can rest assured that our Hospital is prepared to effectively manage the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and to help anyone who may have come in contact with it,” said Dr. Stewart Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Regional Programs, Clinical Supports & Medical Affairs. “We have infection control policies and procedures in place and have activated additional screening procedures as an added precaution.”
There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus. However, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses. Take these everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Practice proper respiratory etiquette (covering your nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid contact with people who are ill
- Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness
- Seek medical care if required and disclose any recent travel history
For more information about COVID-19, please click here.