Health unit confirms first Porcupine retirement home resident to contract COVID-19

A sample COVID-19 testing operation

TIMMINS — The City of Timmins’ daily ‘Health Round Table’ saw the Porcupine Health Unit deliver a “very concerning” update Saturday, confirming the first retirement home resident in the district to contract COVID-19.

The health unit’s medical officer, Doctor Lianne Catton, did not specify what retirement home or the age and gender of the individual, but said there will be further updates later in the day.

Catton said the health unit is declaring an outbreak at that home.

“We know from other areas in the province that this is a population that we’ve been working really hard to try and protect, and I can assure you that the home involved has also been doing this,” Catton said via teleconference.

“We are working with this home to investigate the case and assist them in taking all the necessary steps to protect all their staff and their residents.”

In its update, the health unit confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 in the area, bringing the district total to 39:

The health unit said both cases are in self-isolation.

On Thursday, CTV reported on a COVID-19 outbreak at the Extendicare long-term care home in Timmins, after a staff member tested positive. The home had said in a statement that no other staff or residents displayed signs of COVID-19 at the time.

The health unit asked for privacy while the home currently under investigation notifies family members and close contacts until it decides to release a public statement.

This is a developing story. Check back often for updates.