COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Joint aches
Effective Monday July 17, 2023 masks will be optional for employees, patients, families, physicians, contractors and volunteers in all areas of NBRHC. Masks will continue to be available at entrances to the building and clinical areas for anyone that prefers to wear one.
Care Partners and employees may be required to wear a mask when additional infection prevention and control measures are in use.
Patients entering the hospital with fever or respiratory symptoms should wear a mask. Report immediately to your destination, and notify a staff member as soon as you arrive.
Visitors who feel unwell are asked to postpone visiting loved ones until they feel well.
Please respect and honour each person’s decision to wear or not wear a mask.
The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has suspended operations of its COVID-19 Assessment and Treatment Clinic.
This is the result of reduced demand for antiviral treatments and physician assessments for influenza-like illnesses, and declining PCR testing volumes.
After this date, the following supports are available to the general public:
The Health Centre would like to acknowledge the many healthcare workers and administrative staff who were involved in the successful operation of the COVID-19 Assessment and Treatment Clinic over the past three years. Since its opening, 130,000 PCR test were performed and almost 1500 district patients were treated with outpatient antivirals.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
How can I protect myself?
Physical distancing is an important measure we must take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This means: stay home. Do not go out unless you have to, such as to get groceries once per week.
If you must go out (e.g. for your weekly grocery haul), keep a six-foot distance from others. That’s about the maximum distance that droplets from a person’s cough or sneeze can travel, which is one of the ways the virus is spread.
If you are ill (even with mild symptoms) it is especially important that you stay home to prevent the risk of spreading your illness to others. Ask someone to purchase groceries for you, or use a delivery service.
Other ways that we can prevent the spread of COVID-19:
For vulnerable populations (people who are immunocompromised, seniors and pregnant women) should extra precautions be taken to protect myself from this illness?
The COVID-19 pandemic is a concerning time for our community, and in particular for those who are immunocompromised, elderly or pregnant. Researchers are still studying this novel coronavirus and how it affects people who are vulnerable.
NBRHC’s Infection Prevention and Control team has these reminders to help reduce your risk of catching this or other infectious illnesses:
Self-assessment tool
If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment tool can help you determine if you need to seek further care.
Resources
Trusted and reliable resources with the most up-to-date information about the virus: