News Release: School in the Nipissing District has First Individual Test Positive for COVID-19

NORTH BAY, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has confirmed an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 at a school within the Nipissing District. The Health Unit is working with the school board to ensure that all close contacts are contacted directly. The individual is currently self-isolating.

It is known that the individual is a close contact of another positive COVID-19 case in our district and there is no evidence to suggest that this case was exposed at school. At this time there is no outbreak at the school.

“Our staff are working with the school to provide important public health direction,” said Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health. “The Health Unit will be contacting close contacts of the case to provide further direction on isolation requirements and testing”.

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

The Health Unit encourages everyone to remain ‘COVID Kind’ and continue to support each other through these unprecedented times. Continue to follow public health measures including physical distancing, wearing a face covering, washing or sanitizing hands often, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms.

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:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca