File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / serguntFile photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / sergunt
Midwestern

COVID-19 outbreak at Listowel long term care home sees one death

There’s been one new death related to COVID-19 in Huron County as the region surpasses 1,000 cases.

Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Miriam Klassen, provided the update Monday, detailing further the outbreaks in the long-term care and retirement home communities at Caressant Care – declared January 10th and January 7th, respectively.

“Overall at Caressant Care there have been 65 confirmed cases. Among long term care home staff and residents, there have been 40 [cases], 27 in residents and 13 in staff. Unfortunately, one long term care home resident has passed away.”

“Our thoughts go out to this individual’s family and loved ones and we also extend our condolences to all the residents and staff at Caressant Care during this very difficult time,” said Dr. Klassen.

Karl Ellis, chief executive of the Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance, says HPPH is providing staffing support.

“One of the things we do have working for us is the healthcare partners in Huron and Perth are working together to try to stabilize the staffing there, but it is the biggest challenge that we currently have.”

Ellis adds they are working to keep everyone in their homes and out of hospitals, but will look into the decanting plans that have been put in place in other jurisdictions.

Marketing and communications manager at Caressant Care, Stuart Oakley, says the community’s support is appreciated.

“Our focus is on caring for our residents, and getting the virus under control. We’re working through it, making sure that the deep cleaning is happening on a regular basis, making sure that we’ve got the appropriate PPE in place for our staff, and as everybody else, we’ll be looking forward to the larger vaccination program that will be coming soon.”

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