Over 60 residents have tested positive at Parry Sound’s two long term care facilities since late Dec.
That from Jess Fargher Lee, Communications and Public Relations Officer with the West Parry Sound Health Centre.
She says as of Jan. 9, 40 confirmed cases are at Belvedere Heights and 23 are at Lakeland.
Fargher Lee says the Belvedere outbreak, declared on Dec. 29, has six residents who tested positive at the Oak Home area, 14 in the Pine Home area, and 20 in the Willow Home area. She adds staff at Belvedere has been able to remove 11 residents from isolation precautions.
As for the Lakeland outbreak, declared Dec. 30, Fargher Lee says six residents are at the Lake Rosseau unit, six residents in the Georgian Bay unit, and 11 residents in the Magnetawan unit.
“Local numbers are reflecting high levels of COVID-19 that are being experienced across the province. We are currently seeing COVID-19 activity circulating within our community and encourage everyone to take routine precautions to limit their chances of exposure. Currently, both of the long-term care homes located in Parry Sound are operating under facility wide outbreaks,” she says.
She says all residents presenting with symptoms at both centres, as well as close contacts, are being placed on droplet/contact isolation with additional outbreak measures in place.
In terms of what the public should know and do, she says health officials encourage all residents to wear masks if they are able when they are out and about outside of their rooms.
Additionally, only one visitor per resident will be allowed in outbreak units at a time, small unit-specific programs are taking place, but large group programs have been cancelled at this time and the centre is encouraging physical distancing between residents and visitors even when the visitors are in the resident’s room.
“We have enhanced our high touch point cleaning, disinfecting and all rooms, dining rooms after every meal. And frequent hand hygiene is encouraged for all staff and visitors. We also ask that the public in general self identify if they have any symptoms and to choose a different day to go and visit their loved ones if possible,” she says.