The local Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak Friday afternoon at Cassellholme in North Bay.
The health unit says 13 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in relation to this outbreak.
Officials confirmed that none of these individuals are residents and one individual has received a preliminary positive result for a Variant of Concern.
The health unit said the individuals tested positive following routine surveillance testing of staff and essential visitors at the long-term care home.
Cassselhome later released a statement saying it informed all residents, their families and the staff of the status of the outbreak.
The home also further stated that of the 13 cases, ten were essential caregivers, who tested positive on Tuesday and following reassessment seven retested negative.
The home says it’s working to arrange retesting for the remaining three and residents these people care for were immediately moved into isolation and tested negative for COVID.
Essential caregiver visits have been suspended with the exception of essential visits for
palliative residents and to maintain stimulation and social engagement during this period of
isolation, individual recreation activities continue.
Currently, no one can come into Cassellholme, not even essential caregivers who have negative results. Strict visiting restrictions have been put in place.
The home says it has relocated all at-risk residents to its isolation unit and has tested them all using rapid testing with no positive results coming up.
In addition, new admissions to Cassellholme have been suspended, all Residents are assessed twice daily for COVID symptoms and visitor restrictions are in effect.
