The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit announced Monday that the COVID-19 outbreak that led to the closure of the Jail on Trout Lake Road in North Bay is over.
The outbreak at the North Bay Jail was declared on June 22, 2021. In total 43 individuals tested positive in connection with the outbreak.
The outbreak forced officials to close the facility and re-route a number of inmates to other facilities in the province.
But when the facility will re-open is still unknown.
"The ministry continues to have discussions with the local public health unit on when it is appropriate to reopen the institution," Brent Ross, Spokesperson, Ministry of the Solicitor General, told BayToday in an email.
See related: Health Unit reports COVID-19 outbreak at North Bay Jail
See related: COVID-19 to force North Bay Jail to temporarily close
On June 23, the Solicitor General's office confirmed to BayToday that the North Bay Jail would close for at least two weeks as the facility dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak.
"In consultation with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, and to ensure the safety and well-being of both correctional services staff and those in provincial custody, the ministry has decided to temporarily close the North Bay Jail for a minimum of 14 days," stated Andrew Morrison, Media Relations with the Ministry of the Solictor General, in an email to BayToday on June 23.
"Approximately 61 inmates from the North Bay Jail will be transferred to other facilities that have the capacity and ability to isolate these inmates under droplet precautions separately from the general population. The ministry does not publicly disclose details on inmate transfers for security reasons," Morrison continued.
