Secord Trails Care Community at 263 Wonham St S, Ingersoll. Photo from Google Maps.Secord Trails Care Community at 263 Wonham St S, Ingersoll. Photo from Google Maps.
London

Seven staffers positive for COVID-19 at Ingersoll long-term care home

Public health officials in Oxford County are working to contain a COVID-19 outbreak at an Ingersoll long-term care home after seven health-care workers tested positive for the virus in one week.

Southwestern Public Health, the health unit for Oxford and Elgin counties, confirmed the outbreak at Secord Trails Care Community on Friday.

The first case at the facility at 263 Wonham St. South was diagnosed in a health-care worker on Monday. Now six additional employees, who hold various positions with different levels of contact with residents, have contracted the virus.

“The majority of those staff impacted live within the region served by Southwestern Public Health. Our staff are moving quickly to inform people of their results, trace contacts and provide guidance on self-isolation and other safety measures,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock said in a statement. “At the same time, we’re working closely with the leadership team and staff at Secord Trails on their strategy to contain the spread and help them connect with the resources they need to care for their residents safely during the outbreak period.”

To date, no residents at the nursing home have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The infected staff members are all self-isolating at home, public health officials said.

Secord Trails has about 80 residents and employs approximately 110 people. In an effort to stop the spread, the long-term care home is requiring all staff to wear a surgical face mask and have their temperature taken twice per shift. Residents are also getting temperature checks twice a day and are now dining in their rooms. The cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces has been increased and non-essential visitors are being prohibited.

Ontario Health West and regional hospitals are providing additional staff and human resource support to the home.

Southwestern Public Health has reported a total of 71 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began, with four deaths between the two counties.

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