March 13, 2021 – The Marathon Family Health Team and the North of Superior Healthcare Group (NOSH) are reporting that an outbreak has been declared in the Chronic Care unit at the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon.

A COVID-19 outbreak is declared in a hospital setting when two confirmed positive cases are connected. Earlier this week, a NOSH employee tested positive for COVID-19. Today, a resident in the Chronic Care unit also tested positive for the virus.

The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are currently in self-isolation. All chronic and acute care patients are also being kept in their rooms to limit their contact with others and to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

NOSH update

To help contain any further spread of the virus, NOSH will be on lockdown until further notice. In adherence with provincial outbreak measures, NOSH will also be implementing outbreak management measures, including increased infection prevention and control practices and surveillance testing for affected individuals.

All chronic and acute care patients, along with NOSH staff who work in the Chronic Care unit, will be closely monitored for symptoms and will undergo surveillance swabs every three to five days. To help keep patients, residents and staff safe, crossover between hospital departments will be limited and stringent PPE (personal protective equipment) protocols will be followed. Visitation will also be restricted to all visitors, with the exception of essential care partners of patients who are receiving palliative and obstetrical care.

In the following days, 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.

NOSH will be working closely with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to manage the outbreak and to protect their patients and staff.