COVID-19 Outbreak Declared Over at Transition House Shelter

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Local

The COVID-19 outbreak at Transition House shelter has been declared over.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) declared the shelter to be in outbreak on April 28, 2021 following confirmation of a positive case in one staff member. All staff and clients were immediately tested as part of outbreak management measures, with all results returning negative, and no transmission was identified in either staff or clients during the outbreak period.

“I want to express my thanks to our shelter staff for their significant ongoing efforts to maintain strict infection prevention measures within the shelter while continuing to provide essential services and supports to those in need in our community – throughout the pandemic, and especially during this challenging period,” states Executive Director
Anne Newman.

“We also appreciated the collaboration with local health and community care service partners to navigate this outbreak and ensure clients were fully supported. COVID-19 has placed additional pressures on people experiencing homelessness, increasing barriers to service and intensifying the trauma already faced by these individuals.
Transition House remains focused on providing safe, dignified and supportive shelter services for this vulnerable population throughout the pandemic and as we move to community recovery.”

Transition House will continue to adhere to a rigorous infection prevention and control program, in place since the beginning of the pandemic. This includes:
• Reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing in all sleeping quarters and
common areas;

• Screening of all new clients prior to entry to the shelter, and twice daily screening of all clients and staff for COVID-19 symptoms;

• Enhanced environmental cleaning protocols;

• Mandatory masking for staff and clients at all times, except when eating and, for clients, sleeping.

Overflow accommodations have been arranged with local motels to ensure capacity within the shelter system while pandemic restrictions are in place. Community members experiencing homelessness can access shelter services through the coordinated entry system managed by Transition House by calling 905 376 9562.