THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Heritage Unit of the Southbridge Roseview long-term care home on Shuniah Street.
In an announcement this morning, the TBDHU said one staff member at the facility has tested positive for the virus.
At this time, no residents or other staff members have been identified as having symptoms.
Under provincial guidelines, an outbreak declaration for COVID-19 in a nursing home is made when one staff person or resident is diagnosed.
The TBDHU said this low threshold ensures that outbreak management measures, including increased infection and control practices, can be put in place swiftly to contain any further spread.
Among the precautions implemented as a result of the staff member testing positive, 24 residents of the Heritage Unit at Southbridge Roseview are currently in isolation in their own rooms until further notice.
A spokesperson for Southbridge said the facility has dedicated rooms which can be used for isolation purposes.
During the quarantine period, meals will be delivered directly to the residents.
The TBDHU announcement stated that prior to the outbreak, management at the home had already taken significant steps to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus in the facility.
Surveillance swabbing of all staff occurs on a bi-weekly schedule.
In a statement to Tbnewswatch, Southbridge also said its Roseview staff had been conducting tabletop exercises to ensure they were properly prepared in the event of an outbreak.
