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No variant present at Kapuskasing facility, one new COVID-19 case reported in region

Another outbreak has been declared at a Hearst long-term care home
2020-05-11 PHU building
The Porcupine Health Unit. Maija Hoggett/TimminsToday

A lab-reporting error led to a positive screen for a potential variant at Extendicare Kapuskasing, according to the Porcupine Health Unit.

Today, the health unit reported there is no variant of concern linked to the outbreak at the Kapuskasing long-term care facility. One new case of the virus has also been confirmed in the Hearst, Hornepayne area.

The possible variant was reported Feb. 4 and sent for further testing to confirm if it was a variant, and if so, what strain. 

The health unit has been notified by Public Health Ontario that it is not a variant of concern. In a news release, the health unit said Public Health Ontario "reviewed the first test and determined the initial positive screen was a lab reporting error."

“This is very reassuring news as we recognize the level of concern for staff, residents, families and the broader community,” said Dr. Lianne Catton, medical officer of health, in a news release.

There has been an outbreak of the virus at Extendicare Kapuskasing for more than a month.

In an update today, the facility reported three residents with active cases, one of whom is in hospital, and nine active cases in staff. As of this morning, there were no new confirmed cases at the residence.

The test results for two positive screens for possible variants in Timmins are not available yet. Because there is a link to a known outbreak with confirmed variants, the health unit expects these tests will be confirmed variants.

To date, there have been 307 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Porcupine Health Unit region. 

The most recent was reported today in the Hearst, Hornepayne area. It is related an institutional outbreak and the person is in self-isolation.

The health unit has also declared an outbreak at Foyer des Pionniers in Hearst. A previous outbreak at that long-term care home was announced Jan. 29. According to the health unit, the outbreak is being declared "in accordance with the provincial guidelines which deems that one case in a long-term care home is an outbreak. The staff at the long-term care home are taking all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of COVID-19."

At the beginning of this month, the province started screening positive COVID-19 cases for the possible variants that spread more easily between people.

Three variants have been identified in the province — the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) strain, the South African (B.1.251), and Brazilian.

Today's Public Health Ontario reported so far there have been 303 cases of the UK variant identified in the province, as well as six cases of the South African strain, and one of the Brazilian strain.

In Sudbury, there have been three confirmed cases of the UK variant.

Yesterday, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit confirmed a case of the South African variant related to a community outbreak.

There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne. 

The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.