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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.