The North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit is reporting the second COVID-19 outbreak in a local long-term care home.
This time, the outbreak is at Eastholme in Powassan, with a health care worker testing positive for the virus. Health unit officials say the worker is currently in self-isolation.
“Our staff is working with Eastholme to provide important public health direction,” said Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health. “We know that older individuals are vulnerable, and it is important that we do our best to keep this population safe.”
Officials say the Ministry of Health guidelines state that an outbreak is to be declared with a single laboratory-confirmed case in a resident or staff member of a long-term care home. As part of the enhanced testing of long-term care homes, all Eastholme staff and residents were tested on May 12.
Officials add all test results for residents at Eastholme have been received and are negative for COVID-19.
Locally, as of Monday, there are 22 confirmed cases, with 18 listed as resolved and one death. Just under 5,000 tests have been conducted.