Fairhaven resident latest virus-related death
A Fairhaven resident who had tested positive for COVID-19 has died, the municipally run long-term-care home announced Wednesday.
It’s the third COVID-19 death in Peterborough city, county, Curve Lake First
Nation and Hiawatha First Nation since the pandemic began in March and the first since April 28.
Four other Fairhaven residents also tested positive for the virus in results that came back Tuesday, according to Fairhaven.
An outbreak was declared Oct. 31 at the
Dutton Road facility after a caregiver of a resident in the Westview 2 area tested positive. The four new cases are also on Westview 2.
The 256-bed Fairhaven has cancelled general visits, essential caregiver visits
and resident leaves until the outbreak is declared over. Staff are using electronic devices to facilitate virtual visits.
Palliative patients are allowed two visitors at a time, but they must wear personal protective equipment.
The Great Room at Fairhaven has been converted into an isolation unit for residents testing positive.
Enhanced house cleaning and extra disinfection for high touch surfaces is continuing, according to Fairhaven.
Fairhaven executive director Lionel Towns wrote to The Examiner in an email on Wednesday that he had no further details beyond those included in a statement on Fairhaven’s website about the death and four additional cases.
Towns wrote to The Examiner that he would speak to reporters on Thursday, when he expects to have new details.
“We have been in touch with family members whose loved one passed to offer our heartfelt condolences,” the statement reads. “This is a terrible virus and our thoughts are with everyone impacted.”
Two new cases locally
Two new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation were reported Wednesday afternoon by Peterborough Public Health.
There are now 11 active cases, with a cumulative total of 164 cases since the pandemic began in March, with 150 cases resolved and three deaths, including a Fairhaven long-term-care resident who died this week.
The health unit is also monitoring 10 people who are at high risk from close contact with a confirmed patient.
The jurisdiction has now had 111 cumulative confirmed cases per 100,000 people, less than one fifth of the provincial rate of 620.7 cases per 100,000 people as of Wednesday.
More than 35,520 residents, or 23.8 per cent, have now been tested at least once for the virus.
Peter borough Regional Health Centre had its first new admission of a COVID-19 patient in weeks. The hospital had a patient with COVID-19 admitted earlier this week who has since been discharged, communications director Michelene Ough told The Examiner.
The hospital does not currently have any patients with COVID-19 on in-patient units or in the ICU.
Hospital worker tests positive
Northumberland Hills Hospital confirmed Wednesday that one hospital staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, but risk of exposure is considered low, according to the hospital.
“Our occupational health and safety office is working closely with their local public health colleagues and regional infectious disease experts to minimize any risk,” stated Linda Davis, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.
The individual — who is now self-isolating at home — was last on site at the hospital for evening shifts on Thursday and Friday — and then was briefly at the hospital Monday in the early morning.
The hospital did not reveal what job the worker has or where the worker had been working in the hospital.
A few in-patients have been isolated as a precaution and enhanced cleaning of the areas of the hospital where the individual was working has been completed.
“It remains safe to attend the hospital for care as required,” Davis stated.
No changes to the hospital’s COVID-19 visitor policy and service delivery have been made.