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Manitoba Receiving COVID-19 Support

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The federal government is ready to send more help to Manitoba in its fight against COVID-19.

The province continues to battle high positivity rates and overburdened Intensive Care Units.

“We’re preparing to deploy Federal Health Human Resources,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday, “We’re also looking at deploying medical staff through the Canadian Red Cross and sending support from the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Trudeau did mention there are ongoing conversations with both Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman.

“The Armed Forces will support vaccine rollout in 23 Indigenous communities across Manitoba,” noted Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr, “[The government] will also providing 50 additional interviewers to conduct contract tracing in the province.”

Carr went onto say that the government can deploy epidemiologists, lab technicians and increase testing capacity to deal with the ongoing situation in Manitoba.

Manitoba has sent 14 critically ill COVID-19 patients to Ontario including up to five at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

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Province Considering New Approach To Restrictions

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A hint from Ontario’s Solicitor General that officials are working on a sector-by-sector reopening strategy for the province.

Sylvia Jones said Wednesday that experts with the Ministry of Health have suggested moving away from the regionalization approach, with the argument that people are more likely to move from one location to another.

Premier Doug Ford has previously imposed business closures and other public health restrictions on a region-by-region basis, stating that the different approach is needed given the different viral picture in some parts of the province.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Monday that Ontario plans to provide a full reopening plan very soon.

Hospitals Can Resume Surgeries

Also Wednesday, hospitals can now gradually resume non-emergency and non-urgent surgeries.

The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, gave the directive provided facilities have the capacity to do so.

Ontario put the initial emergency order in effect April 22 in response to a rising case of COVID-19 cases in the third wave.

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Digital Tool Helps Patient Care At TBRHSC

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Officials unveil a digital tool that’s set to help keep surgical patients connected to their health care providers from home.

The Regional Health Sciences Centre is the first in Northwestern Ontario to offer the patient engagement tool which provides an interactive, step-by-step guide to help patients prepare for their procedure and recover faster afterwards.

The patient or their caregiver can access the tool on any wi-fi connected smartphone, tablet or computer.

“Engaging and monitoring patients remotely allows us to deliver safer perioperative care during the COVID-19 pandemic – regardless of where patients live,” says Caroline Fanti, Director, Regional Surgical Services at TBRHSC. “Smart health technology aligns well with our mission to deliver a quality patient experience that is responsive to the needs of the population of Northwestern Ontario.”

Since launching in November, reports indicate over 170 patients have benefited from using the tool, with 91% of those surveyed recommending their experience to others, and 87.5% saying the program helps them feel less anxious before surgery.

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Hospital Chosen As Pfizer Vaccine Site

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The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is chosen as a site for the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine.

“Making the vaccine available to the people of our community is our focus and priority,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of the Hospital.

The province has unveiled the priority populations that’ll be first in line to receive the shot.

The President and CEO went onto say, “Although the situation is evolving, we are excited to begin the process of vaccination as soon as possible. Various hospitals across Ontario will begin to receive vaccine in the coming weeks, and we are working to ensure logistics, timing, assessment and administration is coordinated and seamless. This historic initiative requires extensive coordination and partnership, and we look forward to moving ahead.”

The Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janet DeMille welcomes the news but cautions now it not the time to let our guard down.

“The full roll out in our region will happen but it will take time. Until the vaccines are widely available, we must all remain vigilant and follow the public health guidelines.”

The Hospital continues to plan with local and regional partners in health and beyond to identify and organize this phase of the vaccine roll-out.

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Masons Give $12K For Cardiac Campaign

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A $12,000 donation is helping the Regional Hospital’s cardiovascular surgery campaign.

The Masons of Western District say while Thunder Bay is outside of their group’s territory, they wanted to help because the hospital serves the entire region.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation says they’re thankful for the donation toward their cardiac and vascular surgery unit.

The campaign has raised over $11.5-million of its $14-million goal so far. When it is fully operational, the Foundation says it will help up to 1,100 patients each year who would otherwise need to travel to southern Ontario for treatment.