Northern Health says it is implementing enhanced precautions at Gateway Lodge following lab confirmation of a single COVID-positive case in a staff member.
"At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of illness among staff and residents at Gateway," Northern Health says in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. "As a precaution, NH Medical Health Officers have declared an outbreak in the Cedar Wing at Gateway Lodge (upper west wing, 2nd floor), based on criteria for declaring outbreaks in care settings.
"In this case, it is a single lab-confirmed case in a staff member, who worked during their potential infectious period."
Northern Health goes on to say officials are closely monitoring for additional cases while cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced and movement of residents in the affected wing have been limited.
"As this outbreak is precautionary and for a single wing in the facility, pre-arranged social visits are not suspended, and may continue, at this time," Northern Health says.
The declaration will stay in place until at least next Wednesday which is 14 days after any potential exposure to confirmed cases at either facility.
"If there is still no evidence of transmission of illness after that time, the outbreak can be declared over," Northern Health says.
