SUDBURY -- Public health officials in North Bay Parry Sound District say they are following up with close contacts of a person outside the area that has tested positive for COVID-19.

The health unit says it was notified late Tuesday morning and started contacting individuals.

Those close contacts have been directed to self-isolate for 14 days and the health unit is awaiting test results. Due to privacy legislation, the health unit is unable to share details about these individuals.

Currently, no one within the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has tested positive for COVID-19, but it is expected that there will be individuals who test positive for COVID-19 within the district at some point.

Health officials say the public plays an important role in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing, staying at least 2 m away from others outside of your immediate family, will help to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

It is recommended that you protect yourself and those around you by regularly washing your hands or using alcohol-based sanitizers, not touching your face, covering your cough or sneeze and staying home when sick.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. It is important to remember that four out of five people with COVID-19 have no symptoms or mild symptoms. People who are mildly ill should isolate and care for themselves at home. Most will recover in one to two weeks by simply treating the symptoms.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Toolto see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808.