SUDBURY -- The Porcupine Health Unit is conducting an outbreak assessment after an employee at the Foyer Des Pionniers Nursing Home in Hearst tests positive for COVID-19.

The employee was tested as part of the province’s enhanced surveillance initiative in long-term care facilities across Ontario.

This is case number 71 identified within the district and is the only positive case at the long term care facility confirmed at this time.  The individual is now self-isolating. 

The PHU investigation has determined that all infection prevention measures have been followed.

The case is being reported as a female between the ages of 10 and 19-years-old.  In order to be employed at a long-term care facility in Ontario, the minimum age requirement is 14-years-old.

As detailed on the Ontario Government website, "an active COVID-19 outbreak indicates that the home has at least one lab confirmed case of COVID-19 (in resident or staff) and the local public health unit or the home has declared an outbreak."

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and seek testing through one of the assessment centres across Ontario (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations/). You can also call the Porcupine Health Unit at 705-267-1181 or toll-free at 1-800-461-1818.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that "In order to be employed at a long-term care facility in Ontario, the minimum age requirement is 18-years-old."

In order to be employed at a long-term care facility in Ontario, the minimum age requirement is 14-years-old.