Community Update #10: Notice of High-Risk Exposures to COVID-19 Related to Positive Case at White Woods Elementary School

Press Release

April 15, 2021 – This notice is to advise the community of several high-risk exposures in Nipissing First Nation related to the positive case of COVID-19 at White Woods Public School in Sturgeon Falls that was announced this afternoon by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.

The Public Service Announcement (PSA) advised that the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at school during their infectious period. Members of the Grade 8 cohort have been asked to self-isolate.

The individual boarded the #52 Alouette Bus Lines route on April 8^th, which also serves students from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School and Northern Secondary School. The individuals from bus route #52 are already required to self-isolate due to a case at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School. However, at this time there is no confirmed link between the cases and they travelled on the bus on different days. Case management and contact tracing are ongoing.

Further to the PSA issued by the Health Unit, the Nipissing First Nation community is advised that the number of high-risk exposures (close contacts) has increased and extended into Jocko Point. Nipissing First Nation Health Services has completed all contact tracing and all close contacts are self-isolating. If you or your family members have not been contacted, you are not considered a high-risk exposure.

Important Reminders

• NFN Daycares are CLOSED: The Nipissing Ojibway Daycare is closed until April 23^rd (date subject to change) related to the 10 high-risk exposures that were confirmed on April 13^th related to the positive case of COVID-19 at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Sturgeon Falls.
• The Couchie Memorial Daycare is closed until further notice related to the recent COVID-19 Outbreak in Duchesnay, which remains active. All parents have been notified.
• NFN staff associated with a high-risk exposure are mandated to not come into the office or any NFN facility for work purposes for the 2-week exposure period. Staff are to contact their managers or supervisors to make arrangements where required.
• Garden Village playground amenities and the Outdoor Rink will be CLOSED until April 23^rd (date subject to change).

We urge all community members to continue following public health measures and the provincial stay-at-home order that is in place until at least May 6^th. We also ask everyone to please be COVID kind during these difficult times. No one intentionally gets COVID-19, but we all have to do our part to limit the spread and to be understanding of those who may be impacted by it.

Get Tested

Residents who have symptoms or are concerned about a possible exposure to a positive case of COVID-19 are advised to get tested. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care or contact NFN’s Community Health Nurse at 705-840-8830 for more information.

If you get tested for COVID-19, you and everyone else you live with must stay home until you have results.

Do not go to work or school or visit anyone if you have symptoms.

• North Bay Regional Health Centre – 50 College Drive, North Bay

Appointment Required – Call 705-474-8600 ext. 4110 – Open 9am to 5pm (7 days a week) Assessment Centre is in parking lot #9 for symptomatic patients or children 8 & under Drive thru options available near Emergency entrance available for asymptomatic people

• West Nipissing Assessment Centre – 219 O’Hara Street, Sturgeon Falls (Community Complex)

Appointment Required – Call 705-580-2186 – Open 12pm to 4pm (Monday to Friday)

Contacts

If you are concerned about a potential exposure, please contact Carole Lafantaisie, NFN Community Health Nurse, at 705-840-8830. Other inquiries may be directed to Kimberly Lalonde, Director of Health Services, at 705-498-3698.

Please visit nfn.ca/covid19 for regular updates and links to helpful information.

IHT5