The COVID-19 outbreak at Cassellholme Home for the Aged is now over.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit made the announcement Friday.
The outbreak was first declared in late February 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.
The Health Unit says although they 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.”
