COVID-19 safety measures in place for forest fire evacuees, health unit says – CBC

Evacuees are being screened and given masks. Hotels evaluated for safety

Aug 13, 2020

Thunder Bay’s medical officer of health says the health unit has taken a number of steps aimed at protecting forest fire evacuees from Red Lake and Eabametoong First Nation from COVID-19.

Around 200 vulnerable residents of Eabametoong were scheduled to arrive in Thunder Bay yesterday to escape smoke and ash blowing into their community from the forest fire known as Nipigon 45. Over 50 people have arrived in Thunder Bay after fleeing Red Lake, which is being threatened by the Red Lake 49 fire.

Thunder Bay currently only has two active cases of COVID-19 in the city, and Dr. Janet DeMille said she was pleased to be hosting evacuees at a time when the city appears to be managing the virus well.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/covid-19-evacuees-thunder-bay-1.5683990