Elliot Lake's St. Joseph's General Hospital is urging more people to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
In a news release, hospital CEO Jeremy Stevenson said so far this year there have been eight admissions of people suffering from COVID.
He wrote, "This single month is greater than the number of admitted COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic is March of 2020.
"The Omicron variant is not to be taken lightly."
Stevenson went on to explain that in three weeks, the hospital has also managed eight COVID-19 positive staff and 53 staff with exposures and signs and symptoms.
He said this is the largest number of staff affected in a three-week period since the pandemic began.
"We wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all of our staff and physicians," Stevenson continued.
"Working ...for a safe return to work involves tremendous seven day a week effort that is critical to ensure we have the health human resources to continue to care for our patients."
Dr. Cathy Groh of the Elliot Lake Family Health Team said fully vaccinated patients are far less likely to experience severe illness due to COVID-19, requiring hospital admission.
She added, "The treatments that are required at this level of acuity are not something that you want to experience."
"While there are no guarantees, it is unfortunate to see patients suffering like this and think that there may have been something that could have been done to avoid it," concluded Dr. Groh.
There are vaccination clinics at the Collins Hall this week and a walk-in vaccination clinic on Feb. 10 in Blind River. Call the Health Team at 705-461-8882 for full details.