NORTH BAY, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has declared the COVID-19 outbreak at Chartwell Barclay House Retirement Home (Barclay House) over. All 43 individuals associated with the outbreak are considered resolved.
“It is clear that the COVID-19 vaccine works,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “The Barclay House outbreak took place in a location where individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness live, but the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 did not experience severe illness. I largely attribute the mild symptoms of COVID-19 to vaccinations. I am not certain that if we had a similar outbreak last year that the outcome would have been as favourable.”
With two outbreaks in the Health Unit district yet to be declared over and the holiday season fast approaching, the public is reminded to continue to practice COVID-19 public health measures including physical distancing, wearing a face covering indoors, washing or sanitizing hands often and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms, feel ill or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, self-isolate immediately and use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
For more information on COVID-19 locally, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.
-30-
Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca