Two more deaths and COVID-19 outbreaks were reported over the weekend by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
One death each was reported in the City of Kawartha Lakes (36th death) and Northumberland County (fourth death). Case details were not immediately available.
On Saturday, the health unit reported an outbreak at Island Park Retirement Residence in Campbellford in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
According to Sienna Senior Living, the company that owns the facility, a team member tested positive for COVID-19 following routine surveillance testing.
“All other team member results have come back negative,” the company said in an email to Global News Peterborough.
“Team members are tested regularly as part of our protocols to help protect them and residents during the pandemic. Any team member who is positive isolates at home and similarly, we work closely with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Public Health Unit, following their direction to prevent further spread of the virus.
“We deeply appreciate the dedication and commitment of our team members and wish this individual a speedy recovery.”
As a precaution, all 106 residents were tested for COVID-19 on Saturday. The company says that as a result of the outbreak, all residents will remain in-suite and receive tray service for all meals, all activities, programs and social visitations are suspended and essential caregivers are limited to one designated caregiver per resident.
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Thorough cleaning and health monitoring will continue.
“We have communicated with residents and families and continue to provide regular updates to ensure they are engaged in their loved one’s care,” the company said.
“We are grateful for the outreach from the public health unit, the team at Campbellford Memorial Hospital, as well as other local community partners. We look forward to vaccinations being administered in the near future. We thank our team members, residents, families and the entire community for the ongoing support as we collectively fight against COVID-19.”
There was also a new outbreak declared on Saturday at Fenelon Court long-term care in Fenelon Falls in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Facility owner Revera Inc. on Wednesday afternoon told Global News Peterborough the outbreak was declared Friday after one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 as part of ongoing staff surveillance testing.
“The staff member is in self-isolation at home,” the company said. “All residents will be swabbed at the direction of public health. We are working very closely with public health officials and are following strict pandemic outbreak protocols and infection control practices. All residents are monitored twice daily for symptoms. All staff are screened at the beginning and end of their shifts and are being cohorted to work in assigned resident areas. All staff are required to wear an appropriate mask and eye protection in the home.”
Enhanced cleaning is being done at Fenelon Court. At the direction of public health, all residents are to remain in their rooms at all times on contact/droplet precautions. Individual recreation activities will be continued to maintain social engagement during this period of isolation, the company said.
Although general visits are suspended while the province is in lockdown, visits from essential caregivers and essential visits for palliative residents will be permitted.
“We recognize how difficult these measures are for residents and their families,” the company said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of families as we put these precautions in place for the safety of the residents. Revera continues to do everything we can to keep our residents and employees safe as we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at our long term care homes and retirement residences.”
On Monday, the health unit also reported 18 new cases — 11 in Northumberland, six in the Kawarthas and one in Haliburton County. There are currently 70 active cases among the 660 in the health unit’s jurisdiction: 38 in the Kawarthas; 29 in Northumberland; and three in Haliburton County. There are 563 resolved cases and currently 126 people identified as high-risk contacts.
Outbreaks still remain declared at Christian Horizons group home in Cobourg, Hope St. Terrace long-term care in Port Hope, and Extendicare Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay.
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