The Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) learned Dec. 17 of individuals from the medical/surgical/pediatric unit at Thompson General Hospital who had tested positive for COVID-19, said an NRHA spokesperson. Public health declared an outbreak in that unit and immediately began contact tracing and management of the cases. “As a precaution, all patients on the unit will be tested,” the spokesperson said. The unit is complying with all restrictions and guidelines in place under the red/critical level of the provincial Pandemic Response System. The Pandemic Response System mandates in-patient visitation to hospitals being suspended when they are at the critical level, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis for those receiving end of life care, those who are in labour and delivery, and pediatric patients.