The local health unit has been working with its health care partners to conduct COVID-19 testing of all residents and staff of area long-term care and retirement homes in an effort to detect and stop the spread of the virus.
Under the guidance of the province’s COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, together with staff from the long-term care homes, Ross Memorial Hospital, City of Kawartha Lakes EMS Services, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Northumberland EMS, Trent Hills Family Health Team, Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team, Haliburton EMS and Haliburton Highlands Health Services have been testing symptomatic and asymptomatic residents and staff of long-term care homes and retirement homes as part of an enhanced surveillance program.
Under the provincial directive, health units were also directed to work with long-term care homes to determine their needs and based on those assessments facilitate support for infection prevention and control resources and training, additional staff and additional personal protective equipment.
The province had initially implemented enhanced surveillance for long-term care homes, but has since expanded the requirement for retirement homes, shelters and other congregate settings, and licensed daycare facilities that provide care to children of essential services workers.
“We are extremely lucky to be working with our health care partners to complete this surveillance testing,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, Medical Officer of Health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Staff from the homes, who were in many instances assisted by staff from hospitals, EMS services and family health teams, have been instrumental in getting the testing done quickly so that we can have a clearer picture of what kind of spread we are seeing in our communities.”
As of today, the following recent outbreaks have been declared or rescinded.
This information is not reflective of what is captured in the integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) as of 4:30 pm yesterday and therefore differs from the case count posted on the Health Unit’s website today.
Outbreaks Declared – Result of Enhanced Surveillance Testing
Caressant Care Lindsay
An outbreak was declared on May 4 after one asymptomatic resident tested positive for COVID-19 after enhanced surveillance testing was conducted on April 30. This individual is in a private room, but residents living in the same wing have been sharing a common dining room and share common areas such as halls. All residents have now been isolated to their rooms and will receive meal tray service. More test results for this facility are still pending.
“We are working with public health and doing everything we can to minimize the risk to our residents and staff. Having the additional testing done is allowing us to identify individuals who have the virus to ensure we put measures in place to help stop the spread to others within our facility,” says Stuart Oakley, Communications and Marketing Manager, Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes.
Case Manor (Bobcaygeon)
An outbreak was declared at the facility on April 26 after enhanced surveillance testing found six asymptomatic residents and six asymptomatic staff had tested positive for COVID-19. All residents were isolated in their rooms, and they were monitored for signs and symptoms. As well, enhanced cleaning practices were implemented, staff were using personal protective equipment and additional screening measures were put in place for staff starting their shifts. On May 1, the Health Unit was notified that a lab error may have resulted in false-positive test results for the 12 individuals at Case Manor. The individuals were retested and the swabs sent to another lab. As of today, the tests for five of the residents have returned as negative. The remaining test results have not been returned and so the outbreak has not been lifted pending those results.
Outbreaks Declared – Not a Result of Enhanced Surveillance Testing
Maplewood Nursing Home (Brighton)
An outbreak has been declared after one symptomatic resident tested positive for COVID-19. The resident became symptomatic and was tested on May 1 with test results received on May 4. There are 41 residents living in the home that consists of one floor with ward and semi-private rooms. In working with the Health Unit, the facility has isolated the individual in a room by themselves. As well, tray service for resident meals has been implemented and staff have been using personal protective equipment and will now be limited to working in specified areas to help reduce any potential spread. Enhanced surveillance testing for Maplewood was scheduled for later this week but will take place earlier due to this confirmed test result. “We are continuing to work with the Health Unit to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff. We have implemented the recommended isolation and other infection prevention and control protocols and continue to monitor our residents to look for any additional symptoms,” says Patrick McCarthy, President and CEO of Omni Health Care, which operates Maplewood Nursing Home.
Outbreak Rescinded Due to Lab Testing Error
Adelaide Place (Lindsay)
An outbreak that had been declared at Adelaide Place Retirement Community on May 1 has today been lifted.
An asymptomatic resident had been tested as part of the routine practice for new residents and that test came back as positive for COVID-19. The same day the Health Unit declared the outbreak, it was notified that a lab error may have resulted in the false-positive test result for the one individual at Adelaide Place. The resident was reswabbed and today the results were returned showing the person did not have COVID-19. The outbreak was then lifted.
Author: Pete Fisher
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