Exclusive – Stating Privacy Reasons Cobourg Police Won’t Confirm If Courthouse COVID Were Special Constables

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Editor Choice, Local, Police Blotter

A memorandum to participants in the Cobourg Courthouse issued last Thursday indicated one security person had tested positive for COVID-19, while two others were identified as high-risk exposures.

On Thursday, February 4, 2021, Manager of Court Operations at the Cobourg Courthouse , Hugh Boyd stated concerns about COVID-19 after a person tested positive.

Today’s Northumberland received a copy of the document that stated, the person who worked at the building was last physically at the Cobourg Courthouse on January 29. But started to experience symptoms while outside the workplace on February 1.

Then underwent a COVID-19 test on February 2 and it was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on February 4.

“On January 29th, the person was working at the front entrance of the building, providing security coverage for approximately one hour. Consultations with this person are ongoing to confirm if they were present in any additional locations in the courthouse on this date. “

The memorandum continues, “ this person adhered to infection control protocols while in the building, including physical distancing and wearing a source control face covering. They are currently self-isolating as per standard public health procedure and following the direction of medical professionals.”

As a result of a Workplace Exposure Risk Assessment, there were two potential high-risk exposures in the workplace related to this case. The two individuals, “have been asked to self-isolate and seek advice from their health care provider or Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit.”

Boyd stated, “in responding to this case, as in all cases of COVID-19, the ministry is relying upon the expertise and guidance of public health officials,” but it seems the HKPR Health Unit wasn’t available.

“Management has made efforts to contact the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit to discuss the specific circumstances of this case. Unfortunately, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit unavailable for immediate consultation. Management will continue efforts to consult the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit to confirm if any additional precautions are required and will act upon any recommendations made.”

Boyd said that management will continue to monitor the situation and provide any updates.

The strict rules set in place at the Courthouse regarding physical distancing, hand hygiene, PPE and source control face coverings, are in place to reduce the possibility of virus transmission in the workplace.

“When followed, the suite of overlapping preventative measures within our courthouse are robust and effective at mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

Cobourg Police issued a release confirming three Special Constables tested positive for COVID-19 three days (Saturday, February 6) after the memorandum was issue to Court staff.

Cobourg Police Communications Coordinator Lisa Munday stated, “we can’t provide deployment details” and would not confirm the Special Constables were the individuals at the Courthouse.

Update – Cobourg Police – Three Special Constables Tested Positive for COVID-19

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