June 26 Update- COVID-19 and SLMHC

SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON — June 26, 2020 – Earlier this week, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) shared an update on the six new positive cases of COVID-19 here at the hospital amongst our staff, found through our surveillance program. The staff surveillance program continued throughout the week, and we now have more than 80% of test results in.  As of the time of this update, we are happy to share that there have been no new positive cases amongst our staff and physicians. In addition, we continue to conduct staff and physician surveillance as well as swabbing inpatients for testing.

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) and SLMHC’s Infection Control department have completed contact tracing. NWHU continues to carry out case management and those who tested positive are continuing to self-isolate. We will continue with our screening process for everyone entering our hospital and the William A. George Extended Care unit (ECU). In the last few months, we have also been regularly testing our staff and physicians working at the ECU, and this will continue.

We want to assure all of our patients and clients that the quick actions taken by SLMHC, the NWHU and Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) have helped to quickly contain the spread of the virus. It is important to know that no one has become ill and that this, and the absence of spread among contacts, points to a low-risk situation.  As always, the hospital is here to meet your health care needs as they arise. 

The Sioux Lookout Assessment Centre offers testing for anyone who is concerned they have COVID-19. Appointments can be made by calling 737-5880. The centre is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Due to a high volume of calls, we ask that you leave a message with your name and number and one of our staff will call you back to arrange an appointment.

We remind everyone to follow recommendations from NWHU and SLFNHA, and the rest of our public health officials, as we work collaboratively to ensure public safety. This includes practicing physical distancing, wearing masks when physical distancing is not possible, and practicing good hand hygiene.

For more information on how our services and facilities are impacted, please visit our website at www.slmhc.on.ca/covid19. For information about COVID-19 in our region, including prevention advice and statistics on current confirmed cases, visit www.nwhu.on.ca or www.slfnha.com.