With rising case numbers and the possibility of another lockdown looming there are discussions of enlisting the help of the Canadian Forces and setting up a field hospital, but nothing is final.
Mayor Bill Mauro confirms Thunder Bay has asked for help through the province’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT).
“The current application that was submitted focuses only on health and human resources as well as funding assistance,” says Mauro. “Falling short of that, absolutely setting up a field hospital and asking for military help are considerations.”
City Manager Norm Gale confirmed when it comes to asking for military help, there’s a process to follow.
“The formal request hasn’t started yet,” notes Gale. “The city needs to exhaust all other opportunities or availabilities before that can happen.”
The Mayor went onto say that a decision on another lockdown is out of his hands and would be decided upon by the province, in consultation with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.