Outbreak lasting two months at Millennium Trail Manor declared over

A two-month-long COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care home in Niagara Falls that saw 32 people contract the virus was declared over Saturday.

During the outbreak at Millennium Trail Manor, three residents who tested positive for the virus died, Niagara Health reported Saturday.

In total, 16 residents and 16 staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The outbreak at the home on Oakwood Drive was declared on Sept. 29.

“Bringing an end to the outbreak reflects the collective hard work, vigilance and commitment of everyone connected to Millennium Trail Manor, including families, residents, staff at the home and members of Niagara Health’s hospital response team,” Lynn Guerriero, president of Niagara Health, said in press release Saturday.

The province put Niagara Health hospital system temporarily in charge of managing the home for 90 days on Oct. 27 to get control of the outbreak.

With staff and residents infected, the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care issued the mandatory management order saying “enhanced management” was necessary to return the home to “normal operations and protect residents.”

Niagara Health’s temporary management of the home remains in effect.

“We’re confident we’re putting the necessary plans, resources and practices in place to assist with returning the home to normal operations and creating a safe and healthy environment for residents and staff long into the future,” Guerriero said in the release.

Niagara Health said in-person visiting restrictions will remain in place at the home. Under the province’s COVID-19 response framework which has placed Niagara at the orange, or restrict, level, only essential caregivers are permitted at longterm care homes in the region.

Niagara Health said enhanced infection prevention and control protocols are also in place.

Millennium Trail Manor is the only home that Niagara Health has been ordered to assume control of during the pandemic.

There are still outbreaks at six health-care facilities in the region declared as recently as Nov. 23 and as late as Oct. 2, according to Niagara Region’s website.

They include Woodlands of Sunset in Pelham, Rapelje Lodge in Welland, Garden City Manor in St. Catharines, Bella Senior Care Residence and The Meadows of Dorchester in Niagara Falls and Gilmore Lodge in Fort Erie.