News Release: COVID-19 Outbreak at Cassellholme Declared Over

NORTH BAY, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) is pleased to declare the COVID-19 Outbreak at Cassellholme over. Together, the Heath Unit and Cassellholme staff and management, worked diligently to manage the outbreak and ensure safety of the Cassellholme residents, staff and essential visitors.

The outbreak was declared as 12 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, however none of these individuals were residents. One individual received a preliminary positive result for a Variant of Concern (VOC). A thirteenth individual testing positive was initially associated with the outbreak, and remains a case on the Health Unit case count, but after investigation didn’t meet the definition for an outbreak-associated case because of when they attended the facility. Although the Health Unit received conflicting expert opinions as to whether some of these tests were truly positive, the expert laboratory medicine and infectious disease advice from Public Health Ontario indicated that these individuals should be treated as positive cases. All individuals are now considered recovered.

Cassellholme has applied COVID-19 outbreak measures as part of their internal protocols since the start of the pandemic. These protocols will remain in place and individuals wanting to visit are encouraged to connect directly with Cassellholme about their requirements.

“Individuals who live in long-term care homes are some of the most vulnerable people to COVID-19. Cassellholme, and other long-term care homes in the district, have worked very hard to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our long-term care homes,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to protect the residents of Cassellholme and all long-term care homes.”

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek testing or further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms.

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

For more information, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca