The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reporting the passing of an individual who was part of the COVID-19 Community Outbreak at Skyline – Lancelot Apartments.
The individual had a preliminary positive result for a COVID-19 Variant of Concern (VOC).
This marks the second death in the region during the pandemic, the first in the Nipissing District.
29 people have been infected in the Lancelot Apartment outbreak.
“I offer my sincere condolences to the individual’s family and friends and my thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” says Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “This is the second death within our Health Unit district associated with COVID-19. This is someone’s family member and friend. It is critical we continue to work together to help stop the spread of VOCs and COVID-19 in our region, possibly preventing future deaths.”
The Health Unit says that scientists and medical professionals are concerned that VOCs are more transmissible than the original coronavirus, and research is ongoing to determine the effectiveness of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines against them. Therefore, individuals within the district are asked to continue taking all COVID-19 precautions seriously and to continue with these measures even once they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The public is the first line of defence,” stated the Health Unit. “By continuing to stay home, regularly washing our hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, wearing a face covering, physically distancing, not touching our face and coughing or sneezing into our sleeve, we can work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 VOCs within our district. Everyone has a social responsibility to follow the recommendations and to be kind to each other. These difficult times can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental health. If you need to speak to someone, visit the Health Unit’s website to find mental health services in your area.”