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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.