It is likely to take a few more days before hospitals across North-Eastern Ontario are back to normal.
Since Wednesday, all 24 northeastern Ontario hospitals including Espanola, Elliot Lake and Manitoulin Island, have been impacted by IT challenges, caused by a zero day virus.
The virus is believed to have originated from Health Sciences North in Sudbury and communications specialist, Jason Turnbull says the virus is one with no previous patches or solutions.
He adds, as a preventive measure, all systems were taken off line including medical records.
Since there is no digital services, 10 hospitals have also seen their medical imaging systems taken off line and four hospitals, including Elliot Lake, have no email or other I-T services.
Espanola has no out-patient laboratory services for the time being.
Until further notice: outpatient laboratory services at the Blind River site have been closed; medical imaging will continue with all scheduled appointments (X-Ray / Ultrasound) and patients may also experience longer wait times for non-emergent services provided through the Emergency Department until computer systems have been restored.
HSN is working to restore critical systems today and affected hospitals are planning to re-schedule cancelled treatments this weekend
