THUNDER BAY - A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Pioneer Ridge long-term care home, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the City of Thunder Bay, which owns the facility, announced Saturday.
The outbreak has been declared in Area 2 of the Tungsten Street facility, after a staff member associated with that unit recently tested positive on Friday.
Provincial guidelines require an outbreak be declared at long-term care homes when one staff member or resident tests positive.
"This low threshold for declaring an outbreak ensures that outbreak management measures, including increased infection prevention and control practices, can be put in place swiftly to contain any further spread," the health unit stated. "At this time, there is no evidence that any spread of the virus has occurred at the facility."
The health unit will be working with Pioneer Ridge to implement enhanced surveillance and testing measures, as well as on-site inspections. Surveillance testing of residents and staff began Friday, and is ongoing, a representative for the health unit said.
There are now three Thunder Bay long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, including Southbridge Roseview, and Southbridge Pinewood.
