SUDBURY -- It has been just over three weeks since the first COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Timmins was declared over and now a new case has popped up.
Officials with the Porcupine Health Unit say a resident at the long-term care facility has been confirmed positive for the virus after all residents and staff at the home were tested late last week as part of the ongoing province-wide surveillance testing.
The resident is a woman in her 70s who is in self-isolation.
"We are all committed to ensuring the supports are in place to protect residents and staff in this home and will continue to monitor the results as they come in," says Dr. Lianne Catton, medical officer of health, for the PHU.
Dr. Catton says the risk of infection in the long-term care home remains low.
While the word "outbreak" seems concerning, it is required by the Ministry of Health once one lab-confirmed tests reveals a positive result in either a resident or staff member at a long-term care home.
This brings the case count in the PHU service area to 65 since the pandemic began two months ago, and 49 are resolved. There have been five COVID-19-related deaths with the PHU.
