March 11, 2021 – The Marathon Family Health Team and the North of Superior Healthcare Group are reporting 3 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Marathon.
All patients who have tested positive for the virus have been contacted by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) and are self-isolating at home to prevent further spread of the virus.
The TBDHU is currently completing thorough contact tracing and will be identifying high risk close contacts of the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the next 24 hours.
The Marathon COVID-19 Assessment Centre is prepared to offer COVID-19 testing to all close contacts in a timely manner. Seeking testing, even if you don’t have symptoms, is important because it allows our healthcare team and public health better manage positive cases and reduce the further spread of the virus in our communities.
NOSH update
One of the new positive cases in our community has been identified as a NOSH employee. To help keep patients, staff and visitors safe, NOSH has implemented changes to their visitation policy. Until further notice, visitation will be restricted to all visitors, with the exception of essential care partners of patients who are receiving palliative and obstetrical care.
Some departments at NOSH may be impacted due to employee testing and self-isolation requirements. Patients will be contacted if there are any changes to their scheduled appointments.
Seeking COVID-19 testing
If you have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are concerned that you need to be tested for COVID-19, first self-isolate, then contact the MFHT by emailing [email protected]. Emailing the clinic is currently the most effective way of reaching us. If you don’t have access to a computer or have an email address, you can contact us by calling 807-229-3243.
Self-isolation
A reminder to all community members who have new symptoms or are close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 that self-isolation is required. In fact, as of March 2, 2021, the TBDHU has issued a Class Order which allows public health to enforce self-isolation requirements for certain individuals, including those who test positive for COVID-19, are a close contact of a confirmed positive case, have new symptoms (even if mild) or are a parent or caregiver of someone under the age of 16 who tests positive for COVID-19.
For more information on self-isolation, please click here.
Next steps
We encourage everyone do their best to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and to adhere to the TBDHU’s lockdown restrictions. This includes continuing to wear a mask, washing our hands often, staying home unless it’s for essential reasons and avoiding gatherings with people we don’t live with.
Thank you to those who continue to follow public health recommendations despite feeling tired, who seek COVID-19 testing and self-isolate when appropriate and who unceasingly show kindness and support to others.
