COVID-19 outbreak forces temporary closure of North Bay Jail
Officials say 32 inmates and 1 staff member at the North Bay Jail have tested positive for COVID-19.
While the jail is now closed for a minimum of two weeks, president of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 616, representing about 60 workers at the jail, Roselle Greuter, told CTV News she’s disappointed things have got to this point.
“People are working 16-hour shifts on a constant basis. We’re tired, we’re stressed. This two week isolation period gives us a chance to re-boot but it still doesn’t negate the fact that too little too late.”
“A lot of stuff should’ve been done and I blame the minister.”
Greuter said no inmates or jail staff were hospitalized due to the virus, most people have “flu-like symptoms.”
Now, the 61 inmates have been transferred to other facilities to self-isolate while the jail receives a deep clean.
“Staff have been working awfully hard the past 16 months to prevent it from coming into our jail and then when it did come in, we arranged to have the vaccines done, the testing done on-an-on-going basis,” said Greuter.
“But the icing on the cake was when all the office managers and regional managers stepped in line and got their vaccine first.”
“It’s like a slap in the face for the actual workers who work with these people.”
According to Greuter none of the positive COVID-19 cases have come back as a variant of concern. If a variant of concern is detected, she says the jail will be closed for longer than two weeks.
“The covid is really travelling, to my understanding other jails are coming down with it,” she said.
“We’re just a petri dish, we have no plans. The plans that we do have are not sufficient enough for that institution.”
She also wishes more preventative measures were put in place.
“I think the ministry needs to clean up its act,” said Greuter.
“I think their needs to be a relationship between the union and its members. We need to get together to prevent things from happening.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.