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A unit in Kenora’s Pinecrest Home for the Aged is under COVID-19 restrictions after an outbreak.
Michelle Spencer, Assistant Administrator and Human Resources Manager with Kenora District Home for the Aged, says the COVID-19 outbreak was declared on August 22.
It came after one resident on Unit 1 presented with COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive. Then, after additional surveillance testing throughout the entire unit, two additional asymptomatic positives were discovered – resulting in a total of 3 positive residents as of August 22.
As a result, visiting guidelines for Unit 1 only now include:
– One designated essential caregiver for positive residents,
– Two designated essential caregivers for the remaining Unit 1 residents,
– All Unit 1 residents will eat in their rooms,
– COVID-19 negative residents must wear a mask,
– No individuals under the age of 16 are permitted to visit Unit 1 during the outbreak,
– All day or overnight outings are restricted for COVID-19-positive residents,
Pinecrest reminds the public that you’re asked to not visit the home if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, visiting guidelines haven’t changed for Units 2, 3 or 4, and staff stress the importance of wearing a mask while around their residents at all times.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care defines a COVID-19 outbreak as a period of time where two patients test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days.
The Northwestern Health Unit says there are 3 local long-term care homes and 2 hospitals in a COVID-19 outbreak status as of August 17, the most recent update to the information. They also report a total of 184 active cases of PCR-confirmed COVID-19, also as of August 17.