A COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Timmins has ended
A second outbreak of the virus at the long-term care facility was announced May 11. It was identifed as part of the provincial screening of long-term care staff and residents across the province.
In today's report from Ontario Public Health, the 180-bed facility was listed as one of the homes no longer in outbreak.
A message from administrator Kelly Roy on their Facebook page confirms the outbreak ended May 26.
The Ministry of Health requires an outbreak of the virus to be declared if a staff member or resident tests positive.
Extendicare Timmins was the first institutional outbreak in the health unit's region. It was announced in early April after a staff member tested positive, and declared over April 18.
The provincial surveillance of long-term care homes triggered the declaration of three outbreaks at local facilities. Only one of them now remains active and is at the South Centennial Manor in Iroquois Falls. The outbreak at the Golden Manor ended May 6.
It's been 16 days since a positive test was confirmed in the Porcupine Health Unit region.
To date, there have been 65 confirmed cases of the virus. Of those, 56 are resolved and seven people have died. The health unit is following two known active cases.
According to the health unit, anyone who feels they need a COVID-19 test, even if you don't have symptoms, can get tested. People should call their primary health provider or the health unit to access an assessment centre.
Symptoms of the virus include cough, fever, and difficulty breathing as well as sore throat/hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
There are COVID-19 Assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne. They are by appointment only and you must be referred by your primary healthcare provider or the health unit.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
