The health unit in Chatham-Kent is reporting another COVID-19 outbreak at a long term care home, this time in Wallaceburg.
CK Public Health said a staff member tested positive at Fairfield Park Nursing Home and the outbreak was declared on Sunday. This is the second COVID-19 outbreak at Fairfield Park in a month. It was also in outbreak mode in mid-December for a couple of days before the first outbreak was declared over on December 22, 2020. The home posted a statement on its website on Monday saying swift action has been taken "to halt the spread of the virus through vigorous infection management practices and procedures."
"We are working in close partnership with our public health unit to ensure every possible step is taken to protect our residents," read the statement. "The health and safety of our residents, and the team members who serve them, is our highest priority. We thank-you for your understanding during this time and assure you that we are continuing to make decisions in the best interest of our residents and team members to ensure health and safety, first and foremost."
There are now four long term care outbreaks in Chatham-Kent -- one at Village on the Thames, one at Copper Terrace, one at Riverview Gardens, and the one at Fairfield Park.
There is also another outbreak at an unidentified workplace that is not accessible to the general public, bringing the total number of workplace outbreaks to eight across Chatham-Kent. An ongoing congregate living outbreak at Community Living Chatham-Kent brings the total number of outbreaks to 13.
On Monday morning, local health officials also reported one COVID-19 patient was out of the hospital to reduce the number of hospitalized patients with the virus to three. The number of active cases in CK has jumped by seven to 128 with 63 new cases and 56 resolved cases. Most of the cases continue to be close contacts of other cases.
Walpole Island First Nation Council is reporting one active case of COVID-19.