DRYDEN — The regional hospital in Dryden is taking some extra precautions due to ongoing wildfire smoke in the area.
The Dryden Regional Health Centre has issued what it is calling a code grey, or partial air exclusion protocols, according to a hospital Facebook post. That means all doors people use to access the facility are remaining locked from the outside, except for the main entrance, which accesses the emergency department.
Doreen Armstrong-Ross, the president and CEO of the Dryden Regional Health Centre said it continues to be very smoky in the community.
“It was like a thick fog almost, so it is pretty significant,” she said. “We’re hoping to see if it does, in fact, rain tonight and that helps a little bit, but we may be in this for a little bit.”
Armstrong-Ross said, aside from keeping most doors locked, the protocols also include switching the HVAC system to recirculate air, rather than drawing it in from the outside, and continuous monitoring of indoor air quality.
The code grey was initially put in place on May 29, Armstrong-Ross said.
As of Monday afternoon, Environment Canada was maintaining air quality alerts for much of Northwestern Ontario west of Thunder Bay, including Dryden, saying smoke from forest fires is expected to remain place for the next several days.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” the weather office’s bulletin said. “Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”
Environment Canada said people can experience milder symptoms like eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious symptoms could include wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough.
“If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance,” officials said.
Those who need to be the most careful, Environment Canada said, include people 65 and older, those who are pregnant, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or a chronic health condition and people who work outdoors.
They “should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms,” the weather office said.
Residents should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. Indoor air can be protected by a clean and high-quality air filter in ventilation systems and/or portable air cleaners that can deal with fine particulate matter.
On Monday afternoon, the Northwestern Health Unit, which includes Dryden, issued an alert outlining similar concerns and solutions.
Armstrong-Ross said the protocols appear to be working as well as they can. She said, with the increased risks to respiratory health, the hospital is also taking steps to ensure there’s enough supplies, like oxygen.
“In our main building, it's not too bad with these (protocols in place),” she said.
“It does fluctuate over the day with what's going on outside, of course — you know you can't totally lock a hospital up — so there is comings and goings and so you just do (the) best you can.”
Armstrong-Ross said the hospital’s Facebook page will continue to be updated.
