COVID-19 infections at North Bay jail spread, outbreak now facility-wide
Health officials in North Bay have upgraded the COVID-19 outbreak at the jail to the whole facility and say 13 people have now been infected.
The outbreak was first declared on Sunday in Corridor 3 with the Ministry of the Solicitor General reporting two active cases among inmates, triggering further testing of inmates and staff at the facility. The number of active cases grew to four inmates on Monday.
No one who has tested positive for COVID-19 has required hospitalization, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit said in a news release Wednesday morning. All individuals who have tested positive are in isolation.
The facility is increasing screening and cleaning protocols in light of the outbreak.
"The health unit will be offering staff of the North Bay Jail their second dose of vaccine this week and the Ministry of the Solicitor General will be offering individuals in custody their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or first dose for those who have not yet received their vaccine," the health unit said.
Jim Chirico, the medical officer of health for the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts, said agency staff are working with the jail to prevent further spread.
"Through the implementation of outbreak interventions and preventative measures we hope to see the individuals recover and stop transmission within the facility," Chirico said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Nipissing District has 37 active COVID-19 infections after 10 new cases were confirmed. More than 14 per cent of adults in the health unit's service area have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and more than 71 per cent of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. There are no other outbreaks in the area.
Since the pandemic began, a total of 496 cases have been confirmed among residents with 455 being resolved and four COVID-related deaths.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.