UPDATE: The Health Unit’s Thursday afternoon update shows 29 cases of COVID-19 are now associated with the Barclay House outbreak.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reporting an outbreak of COVID-19 at Chartwell Barclay House Retirement Residence.
“As of (Thursday) morning, 23 individuals in total have tested positive for COVID-19,” says Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Public Health Physician.
The first positive case was reported to the Health Unit on November 2nd with testing made available to staff and residents the next day.
Zimbalatti says there are cases in both residents and staff.
“There is a concern when there is that number of individuals who have tested positive that it could impact the community, so we are really advocating for caution,” she says. “If anyone has been visiting Barclay House or is a close contact with someone who resides there or works there, then additional caution may be necessary in terms of self-isolating if you do have symptoms and of course, monitoring for symptoms. “
Dr. Zimbalatti says anyone with symptoms should get tested.
She says anyone who visited Barclay House between October 20th and November 3rd is being asked to monitor for symptoms.
The Health Unit says the outbreak investigation is underway and additional infection prevention and control measures were put in place immediately.
“On October 31st our staff attended Barclay House and provided immunizations to residents of Barclay House,” says Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization Strategy. “I’m not 100 percent sure on the number who were eligible, but 58 people did receive the vaccine, their third dose.”
The Health Unit also reports a workplace outbreak reported on October 19th was declared resolved on November 2nd.
According to the Health Unit website, fewer than five cases were involved with that outbreak.