After a COVID-19 outbreak was declared at St. Mary's Gardens, the facility says the results of the tests done on residents and staff as part of the investigation are all negative.
An outbreak of the virus was declared at the Timmins seniors' residence April 16 after a staff member tested positive.
In a statement today, the facility said it did a tracing investigation with the Porcupine Health Unit immediately after the information was received. Staff and residents who had exposure to the confirmed case were swabbed.
"All residents were put on room isolation as per the required protocol. During the investigation, we confirmed that all heightened infection prevention protocol was in place and had been strictly adhered to by the staff member during their last shifts in the home and that this would have helped to significantly reduce exposure," reads the statement.
While the results are negative for traces of the virus, the facility said they're still working "closely with Public Health for the continued monitoring and management of the declared outbreak."
"Moving forward, we are fully prepared to deal with the situation working with our staff, health care professionals and health authorities in our community. Our main priority continues to be the health and well being of our residents and employees at St. Mary’s Gardens," it reads.
The Ministry of Health requires COVID-19 outbreak to be declared at an institution if one resident of staff tests positive.
St. Mary's Gardens is one of three active institutional outbreaks currently declared in Timmins. The others are at Timmins and District Hospital, where a patient tested positive, and Spruce Hill Lodge, where two residents have tested positive.
The first outbreak in the city was at Extendicare and has been declared over.
In the Porcupine Health Unit region there have been 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those, 30 are resolved and three people have died.
