NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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As of (Sunday) morning, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (Health Unit) has confirmed that our outbreak remains at four (4) staff and four (4) resident COVID-19 positive cases at Simcoe Manor. A total of three (3) resident care units remain impacted by positive cases at this time.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of two of our residents (one late yesterday evening and one early this morning). One of the individuals had tested positive for COVID-19, and the other was tested on Friday, with their results pending. Our heartfelt condolences are with the loved ones of the two residents we lost last night and this morning.
All long-term care residents have been tested and we continue to closely monitor for their results. All staff are being tested tomorrow, Monday October 5, and enhanced screening measures remain in place to ensure immediate symptom identification, testing, isolation and appropriate contact tracing are completed, in collaboration with the Health Unit. Extensive protocols remain in place to stop the spread within our home quickly; some of these precautions include:
- Temporary cancellation of all Indoor/outdoor visits while we await further testing results and direction from the Health Unit, with the exception of essential visitors;
- Heightened surveillance and monitoring for symptoms of all residents;
- Enhanced cleaning measures;
- Advanced screening;
- Cohorting staff to individual units during each shift;
- Temporary hold on all new resident admissions and internal transfers;
- Additional requirement of all staff to wear full PPE (gloves, gown, mask, face shield) upon entering the resident care units. We are sourcing additional PPE supplies to ensure supplies are always available during this outbreak; and
- All residents are isolated in their rooms for precautionary reasons, with tray service for meals. Use of disposable plates, cups and cutlery for the duration of this outbreak to provide additional infection control safety.
Though this virus has silently made its way into our Home, we will fight harder than ever to stop it as quickly as we possibly can. Be reassured that we are all doing everything possible and we will get ahead of this.
We continue to keep everyone directly impacted by this virus at Simcoe Manor in our thoughts and are extending heartfelt wishes for the best possible outcome.
Thank you to family members of our residents for your understanding and patience. Also thank you to our amazing staff for their continued dedication - those in long term care, as well as our redeployed employees, Paramedics and those assisting with the response.
* The adjacent Simcoe Village is not in outbreak.
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