NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: July 3, 2020

COVID-19 Outbreak at Belvedere Heights in Parry Sound

North Bay, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has declared a respiratory outbreak at Belvedere Heights in Parry Sound - the causative agent is COVID-19. The two individuals who tested positive are staff at the long-term care home. The individuals are currently in isolation. No residents at Belvedere Heights have tested positive for COVID-19.

Our staff are working with Belvedere Heights to provide important public health direction,” said Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health. “It is important that we do our best to keep our older and more vulnerable individuals safe. We remind everyone in our district to continue to practice physical distancing, use a face covering when distancing is a challenge, use proper coughing, sneezing and hand washing etiquette, and isolate when having symptoms or if they have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19.”

Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. It is important to remember that most people with COVID-19 have no symptoms or mild symptoms. People who are mildly ill should isolate and care for themselves at home. Most will recover in one to two weeks by simply treating the symptoms.

The public needs to remain cautious. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself and call a testing centre to book an appointment. If you have additional questions about COVID-19 please call the Health Unit’s call centre at 1-800-563-2808 option 5.

Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19. 

For more information please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.

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Media Inquiries:

Lydia Weiskopf-Tran, Community Health Promoter

P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808

E: communications@healthunit.ca