News Release: Health Unit Declares COVID-19 Outbreak at the North Bay Jail

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has declared a respiratory outbreak at the North Bay Jail in Corridor 3 - the causative agent is COVID-19. The Health Unit is working with the North Bay Jail, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and North Bay Regional Health Centre’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre to support with outbreak protocols, including testing, preventatives measures, and case and contact management. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are currently self-isolating and the Health Unit has contacted individuals deemed to be at high-risk.

As part of the outbreak interventions and preventative measures, COVID-19 testing for staff and inmates of the North Bay Jail is in progress. The Ministry of the Solicitor General will be offering inmates their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or first dose for individuals who have not yet received their vaccine.

“As we are well aware, the local COVID-19 situation changes rapidly. We will have a better understanding of the situation at the North Bay Jail once we receive all the COVID-19 test results,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health. “In collaboration with the North Bay Jail and the Ministry of the Solicitor General, we will work diligently to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 within the facility.”

For more information on COVID-19 cases locally, visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General posts information on actives cases in correctional facilities across the province, including the North Bay Jail. If you have a loved one affected by the outbreak and would like to learn more please contact the facility directly.

-30-

Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca