Peterborough Public Health reports 84 COVID-19 cases
Fairhaven residents, staff tested at long-term care home Saturday
There are 84 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Peterborough and area, with three deaths and 47 people diagnosed and recovered from the coronavirus. There were 2,798 people tested and confirmed negative and 829 people waiting for results as of April 28.
Some results reported after that date are now believed tobe incorrect, Peterborough Public Health reported Friday. Affected people have been contacted, with the health unit recommending they be retested.
Peterborough Public Health is testing people living in the city and county, as well as Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.
Health officials continue to monitor outbreaks at St. Joseph’s at Fleming long-term care home, Extendicare Lakefield longterm care home, St. John’s Seniors Centre, Peterborough Retirement Residence and Empress Gardens Retirement Residence.
The publicly owned Fairhaven long-term care home held a mobile COVID-19 screening Saturday for staff and residents.
A team from Peterborough Public Health took care of testing residents and staff indoors, while a mobile unit parked outside tested staff who were off duty in a drivethrough format at the Dutton Road facility.
Executive director Lionel Towns sent a letter to families of residents before the screening.
“Our day has finally come for home-wide testing for COVID-19. While it would be
nice to have a way of doing quick tests continuously, this will at least give us a more complete snapshot of where we all are right now,” Towns wrote.
“There were two teams from Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Peterborough Public Health involved with the testing for COVID-19 pandemic.
“Due to test processing constraints, we may not have results until Tuesday of next week. When we do get that information, we will be passing it on immediately in the appropriate manner.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particular effect on longterm care homes, with outbreaks reported across the province.
“It is a very strange, sometimes painful, journey we are on together, but we are committed to seeing it through to the time that residents can enjoy the company of their loved ones again,” Towns wrote.
The city transit George North bus was rerouted to avoid Dutton Road during the testing period, with a temporary stop at the corner of Dutton and Hilliard Street.
“It is a very strange, sometimes painful, journey we are on together ...”
LIONEL TOWNS FAIRHAVEN