News Release: Health Unit Reports a Second Death Associated with the COVID-19 Community Outbreak at the Skyline-Lancelot Apartments

NORTH BAY, ON – It is with sadness that the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) reports a second death associated with the COVID-19 Community Outbreak at Skyline – Lancelot Apartments. The individual tested positive for COVID-19 with a preliminary positive result for a COVID-19 Variant of Concern (VOC).

“I am deeply saddened by this news. My thoughts are with the individual’s family and friends,” shares Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “I cannot imagine what the families and friends of these individuals are going through. While we are all very fatigued with continued public health measures, we must work together as a district to help prevent this from happening to anyone else. I cannot stress this enough, stay home and save a life.”

The Health Unit’s district is experiencing an increase in VOCs, which is particularly worrying as VOCs spread more easily than the original coronavirus. The best way for individuals to protect themselves against all strains of COVID-19 is to continue taking all COVID-19 precautions seriously and to continue with these measures even once they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“If we don’t continue precautions and follow public health measures to prevent a surge of COVID-19 Variants of Concern then measures such as prolonged lockdowns or school closures could be required, which can have profound harmful effects on children and youth and people experiencing poor mental health, violence or addictions,” states Dr. Chirico.

If you are experiencing challenges with your mental health, alcohol or substance use, or intimate partner violence, please see our website for a list of local resources. If you don’t have access to the internet, please call our call centre to get information on resources.

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 if you are able.

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:

Catherine Levac-Lafond, Bilingual Media Relations Coordinator

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