The number of active COVID-19 cases in Chatham-Kent dropped significantly over the long holiday weekend.
Chatham-Kent Public Health reported on Tuesday morning that the number of overall active cases fell by 64 to a total of 51. Local public health officials said there were 65 cases resolved over the past three days and just one new case.
The last outbreak at a congregate living setting has been declared over but two institutional outbreaks remain in place.
CK Public Health (CKPH) reported no new cases over the weekend at Fairfield Park Nursing Home in Wallaceburg but the outbreak continues at that home. The home's administration said there are still three active cases among its residents and seven active cases among staff. So far, there have been 98 total cases reported since the outbreak was declared January 10, 2021.
On Saturday, the first doses of the Moderna vaccine were given to Fairfield residents who have tested negative for COVID-19.
"This year has been difficult for everyone in our community and especially difficult for our residents, their families and our staff. The vaccine is the glimmer of hope we have been waiting for and we look forward to being able to offer the vaccine to our staff and essential caregivers in the coming weeks," said Fairfield Administrator Tracey Maxim in a statement.
Maxim said her staff continues to receive various tokens of appreciation and support, including individually wrapped meals, cards and emails. On Valentine’s Day, they received individually wrapped carnations.
"This kind of support from our community and our families has made all the difference to our care team as we work toward our combined goal of ending this outbreak," she added.
Local public health officials reported the number of local people in the Chatham hospital with the virus has dropped by one down to seven. However, the outbreak also continues in the medicine unit at the Chatham hospital. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has been notified by CKPH that another staff person has tested positive due to the outbreak.
CKHA said it has applied enhanced droplet and contact precautions to all impacted inpatients.
"CKHA has had conversations with all impacted inpatients and/or their families to provide both information and reassurance. Affected outpatients and discharged patients are being contacted by CKPH. CKHA continues to monitor patients for symptoms of COVID-19. Any patient who develops symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 while in hospital will be isolated and tested," said the hospital in a statement released on Tuesday morning.
CKHA added it intends to resume its surgical and ambulatory care services this week. The Essential Visitor and Care Partner Access policy remains in Phase 1 “red”. It's the most restrictive phase, in which visitor and care partner access is strictly prohibited.
There will be no visitors/care partners allowed for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Palliative and end-of-life patients on the outbreak units may be permitted one care partner through the established visitor restrictions appeals process, otherwise there will be no visitors/care partners on the units in outbreak.
Exceptions on the non-outbreak units include:
• One care partner/visitor will be permitted at any time of day for palliative or end of life patients. • For labouring women, one consistent partner will be permitted through the duration including post-partum. • In our Emergency Department, patients at imminent risk of dying or those with significant cognitive or mobility difficulties will be permitted one consistent adult care partner. • Paediatric patients may have one consistent visitor. • Case workers are welcome as the consistent care partner to support those patients with significant developmental or intellectual disabilities, if applicable. • Outpatients requiring assistance due to frail/elderly, cognitive impairment, non-verbal or severely disabled may be permitted a care partner to accompany patient for their outpatient visit.
The outbreak in the medicine unit was declared on January 29, 2021 and is up to a total of 23 cases.
Chatham-Kent moved into the Red-Control level on Tuesday under the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. Click here to learn more about the public health safety measures to follow, including what the Red zone restrictions are for gatherings and businesses.