Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU), has confirmed that a resident at Spruce Hill Lodge has tested positive for COVID–19.

“At this point in time, the investigation is ongoing, however there is no known link to travel or any other cases,” said Catton. “The resident is in self-isolation at the residence.

“We understand that news could be upsetting for all involved, especially the staff, residents, and their family members. But let me assure the public that we are working with Spruce Hill Lodge to ensure all necessary infection prevention and control measures are ongoing to contain the spread of COVID–19.” She said additional testing will be conducted during this investigation as per COVID–19 outbreak protocols.

The Porcupine Health Unit has declared a COVID–19 outbreak at Spruce Hill Lodge as per the Ministry of Health guidelines which require that any positive case in a retirement residence is declared an outbreak. The staff at Spruce Hill Lodge are taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of COVID–19, said Catton.

“We wish all the best to all involved, including the family members who have loved ones living at Spruce Hill Lodge,” she said.

The fact that a resident of a seniors’ facility in Timmins had contracted the virus had been indicated during the daily noon update held earlier in the day.

At the time, however, Catton declined to identify the facility, stating she wanted staff at the residence to have the opportunity to contact family members before making the location public.

The individual is a woman in her 90s, who is believed to have contracted the virus from someone within the community. She is currently in self isolation.

The other confirmed case reported Saturday is a man in his 60s.

He resides somewhere outside of Timmins but within Cochrane District.

As has been the PHU’s recent practice, Catton did not specify the town that individual is from.

Both individuals were tested on April 6 and are currently in self-isolation.