While the coronavirus is getting all the publicity, our local hospital sees the normal flu bug as a much bigger threat to public health.
See: US, others prepare evacuations as virus spreads from China
"At this time, we believe the risk of influenza is greater to the community than coronavirus," said Mark Daniw, .Manager of Infection Prevention and Control in an email to BayToday. "We continue to see influenza circulating through the community and are presently experiencing peaking levels. This includes higher volumes of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses."
Precautions are being taken.
"The North Bay Regional Health Centre has effective practices to quickly screen, isolate and treat patients for a number of travel-related illnesses including coronavirus, ebola, middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV)," added Daniw.
"Every patient who presents to the Emergency Department (ED) is screened and in the event, a patient meets the criteria, they would immediately bypass our waiting room and be brought to one of the ED’s negative pressure isolation rooms."
Being a newer hospital, there are many elements built with infection prevention and control in mind.
For example, the Emergency Department has three negative pressure rooms to prevent cross-contamination from room to room.
"The ventilation is designed to prevent contaminated air from escaping the patient’s room," explains Daniw. "Each isolation room has an 'ante-room' as a buffer between the patient’s room and the rest of the hospital."
Staff uses this space to put on their protective clothing before entering the negative pressure room.
NBRHC has 22 negative pressure isolation rooms: Air from the rooms are vented to the exterior of the facility and pass through HEPA filters and UV light to kill any germs.
"All isolation rooms within the facility are monitored through a building automation system to ensure proper operation. Every room is equipped with an audible and visual alarm to notify staff and maintenance if an isolation room loses negative pressure."
In addition, the hospital has the ability to convert a floor into a 10-bed isolation unit if needed.
The Infection Prevention and Control Department is in regular contact with Public Health Ontario and the local health unit regarding best practices and any changes in status in our community.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is relaying various information on Caronavirus on their website -- with a number of links to the provincial Health Ministry, Health Canada and more. The local site says the risk to Canadians is low and offers information on symptoms, protecting yourself and information for travellers.
