New long-term care outbreaks: Sudbury and Manitoulin Island

File Photo/Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Sudbury — Public Health Sudbury & Districts (PHSD) is reporting new outbreaks of COVID-19 at two long-term care homes.

COVID-19 has been confirmed in one employee at Manitoulin Lodge, a woman in her 50s who is self-isolating. Health officials say she has no travel history and no known contact with another confirmed case. She was tested on May 12.

One employee under the age of 19 and a female resident in her 70s have also tested positive at Greater Sudbury's Elizabeth Centre. They were both tested on May 11.

The individuals were tested as part of the targeted surveillance of long-term care homes across Ontario.

This brings the number of long-term care facility outbreaks in the PHSD service area to five and the total number of active cases in the Sudbury and Manitoulin Island area to five as well. Since the pandemic began, 64 people have been confirmed positive for the virus, while 59 have been resolved.

Previously reported outbreaks at Pioneer Manor and Extendicare York were declared over on May 12.

While the term "outbreak" may sound concerning, the designation is required by the Ministry of Health whenever one lab-confirmed test returns a positive result in either a resident or staff member.