The COVID-19 outbreak that had Fairfield Park Nursing Home in Wallaceburg against the ropes for several weeks is almost over.
Fairfield Park Administrator Tracey Maxim reported on Tuesday there's only one active case of COVID-19 among the home's residents and one active case among its staff. Maxim said all other cases have been resolved and she is "cautiously optimistic" that this outbreak will be behind them soon.
"Despite this good news, we continue to do weekly testing in our home to monitor any potential spread and we remain vigilant in all ongoing infection prevention and control measures for the continued health and safety of all residents and staff," Maxim said in a statement released Tuesday.
Maxim said the community has been very supportive during this difficult time and she wants to let everyone know that it is very much appreciated.
"Although we could never adequately express our gratitude for the kindness shown to our residents and staff, we wanted to find a way to say thank you," she said. "We could not have done any of this without our friends and neighbours and so our staff have put together the following video. From our home to yours, Thank you!"
The outbreak started on January 10, 2021 and reached 100 total active cases. Two women in their 90s who resided at the home also died from COVID-19 during the outbreak. Three other residents who tested positive for the virus passed away at the home during that time but the health unit in Chatham-Kent said COVID-19 was not the cause of death.
On Tuesday, CK Public Health reported one new active case and five resolved cases. The local active case count stands at 18. None of the other COVID-19 metrics changed on Tuesday. There is still an active outbreak at the medicine unit at the Chatham hospital. That outbreak began January 29, 2021 and has had 24 total cases since.
A mass vaccination clinic started on Tuesday at the John Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham where it is hoped more than 700 shots will be administered by appointment only to staff and essential caregivers of local long-term care and high-risk retirement homes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rick Walker, a Maintenance Supervisor at Riverview Gardens Long-Term Care Home in Chatham, made history on Tuesday. He was the first health care worker in Chatham-Kent to get vaccinated at the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the centre. Walker received his inoculation of the Pfizer vaccine from Dr. David Colby, Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent.
Rick Walker a Maintenance Supervisor at Riverview Gardens Long-Term Care Home in Chatham was the first health care worker in Chatham-Kent to get vaccinated at the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the John Bradley Convention Centre. February 23, 2021. (Photo submitted by CKHA)