SUDBURY -- A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the F.J. Davey Home in Sault Ste. Marie after a staff member tested positive for the disease.

In a notice on the home's website said Algoma Public Health confirmed the positive case in surveillance testing done last week.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have put the home into a presumptive outbreak at this time," the notice said. "We are taking this very seriously and want to highlight the actions we’ve taken to contain the spread of this virus both now and from the time we all learnt about COVID 19.

"Our goal has always been to reduce the chance of transmission and to keep our residents and staff safe and healthy."

Source of exposure unknown

Algoma Public Health said the staffer was tested Aug. 31. The person is self isolating, and the source of exposure is unknown.

"Unknown exposure is evidence of ongoing community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area," the health unit said. "All Algoma residents must continue to practice physical distancing because any close contact could be a possible exposure."

The latest positive test marks the 29th case in the health unit's coverage area since the pandemic emerged in March.

F.J. Davey Home said in their notice they are working closely with Algoma Public Health, its medical director and Extendicare’s infection prevention and control specialists, who provides the home with operational and administrative support for the FJ Davey Home.

"(We) will continue following their directives."