Full visitor restriction implemented at hospital

No visitors will now be allowed at the North Bay General Hospital.

The move comes as a follow-up to partial restrictions which have been in place there for several weeks.

Further information is included in the following news released issued today by the hospital:


This morning, the North Bay & District Health Unit requested that the hospital restrict all visitors due to the large numbers of influenza cases in both patients and staff at the hospital. The 3West McLaren Site remains in an outbreak situation and the 4West Scollard Unit, also in influenza outbreak, has been closed to new admissions until further notice.

A Full Visitor Restriction is in place until further notice. Exceptions include compassionate visitors and one parent/guardian per paediatric patient.

Visitors will only be allowed for compassionate reasons and must call the Unit Leader for further details. Only one parent or guardian is allowed per paediatric patient.

Compassionate visitors to the outbreak units of 4W Scollard and 3W McLaren must have had their flu shot or be taking anti-viral medication known as Tamiflu available from their physician.

This current influenza situation has created a bed shortage at the hospital and a very busy time in the Emergency Department. To help alleviate these bed pressures there is a possibility that a patient may be transferred to a smaller outlying hospital or have an earlier discharge to home with home services provided by the Near North Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). As well, it is possible that elective in-patient surgeries will be cancelled due to the shortage of hospital beds—in this instance the hospital will contact the patient. To make the best use of the available beds, patients may also be shifted to different rooms, or different floors within the hospital.

Compassionate visitors and parent/guardians are reminded to stay away from the hospital if they are experiencing any flu-like, or respiratory symptoms.

Compassionate visitors and parent/guardians and anyone arriving for outpatient procedures or tests are reminded to wash their hands with the alcohol rinse provided in each lobby before entering AND leaving the facility.

It is not too late to get your flu shot! Influenza vaccine is still available through the North Bay & District Health Unit.

The public is reminded that influenza is easily transmitted and can greatly affect patients and the staff providing care. This effort protects patients and staff from what could be serious complications from the flu. Since influenza is so easily transmitted there is a greater chance of our patients and staff becoming ill if someone who has symptoms chooses to visit.

Symptoms of influenza include: fever, sore throat, chest congestion, nausea and/or vomiting, muscle aches and pain. Transmission is by respiratory droplets—a sneeze and direct or indirect contact from contaminated hands and surfaces. Adults are infectious in three to five days from the onset, and children are infectious up to seven days from onset.