Five deaths at Almonte care home over weekend
‘Community is grieving together’ as toll climbs to 23 at troubled facility
The deaths of five more people were reported at the Almonte Country Haven over the weekend.
The troubled long-term care home has now reported a total of 23 deaths. One death was reported on Saturday, and four on Sunday.
“The families of these residents are in our hearts and minds during this difficult time and we know the community is grieving together today,” administrator Carolyn Della Foresta said in a statement.
“Our care team prides itself on prioritizing the comfort and dignity of all residents,” she said. “This is especially true when providing end-of-life care. Our residents are not alone in their final moments and our staff are trained in providing compassionate, comforting and palliative care where appropriate.”
Almonte Country Haven is an 82bed, for-profit facility on the outskirts of Almonte, about 50 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. The first cases of novel coronavirus at the home were reported on March 29.
Della Foresta said it has been a difficult time for staff and that managers are looking to connect workers with the mental health supports and rest time they need both now and in the future.
The care home is in daily contact hospital partners, public health and the province, she said.
“On tough days like today, this support from the community is so important and we will never forget it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ottawa Public Health has reported one new death, bringing Ottawa’s total deaths to 23. The numbers represent information collected as of 4 p.m. on Saturday.
There were 19 ongoing outbreaks in Ottawa institutions, which include hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes.
An outbreak at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute was confirmed as of Friday. New outbreaks were also confirmed at Barrhaven Manor, Accueil-Sagesse and Élisabeth Bruyère Residence.
Ottawa Public Health has reported seven deaths that occurred in the space of three days last week. All were all in long-term care facilities. The agency confirmed Sunday that four of the deaths were at the Montfort Long-term Care Centre, which is on Montreal Road but is independent of the Montfort Hospital.
The care centre is managed by Revera Living, which reported last week that 24 residents and three staff members there had tested positive. Revera has not updated the situation since then.
Two other residents died last week at Carlingview Manor, which is also managed by Revera. As of Tuesday, Revera chief medical officer Dr. Rhonda Collins said seven residents and seven staff at Carlingview had tested positive for COVID-19.
The other long-term care death last week was at Madonna Care Community in Orléans. jlaucius@postmedia.com
On tough days like today, this support from the community is so important and we will never forget it.