Nursing home company being sued

Revera, which operates Forest Heights, says it meets standards and follows directives

KITCHENER — A lawsuit has been launched against private nursing-home company Revera, which operates a home in Kitchener.

Two Ontario men whose mothers died from COVID-19 filed the lawsuit against Revera, according to a report from The

Canadian Press.

Forest Heights Revera has been the hardest hit long-term care home in Waterloo Region.

An outbreak was declared there on April 1 — one of the first in the region — and it has not yet ended. Outbreaks declared at two other homes the same day ended in mid-April.

The number of cases and deaths at Forest Heights continues to rise. The Monday morning update by public health said the home had a total of 162 cases in residents and 55 in staff. There have been 40 deaths.

There are a number of proposed classaction lawsuits against Canadian nursing homes, alleging the many resident deaths from COVID-19 were unnecessary and preventable.

In a statement posted on Revera’s website, it said its homes regularly meet or exceed government standards, and government directives have been followed since the outset of the pandemic.

“We have also been working closely with government partners as the pandemic has progressed,” it says.

“We are currently reviewing the class

action lawsuit and will respond in due course, however, we will not let it distract us from our singular focus at this time, which is to prevent further illness and loss of life.”

The company extended its sympathies to the two families involved in the suit, as well as to all the families and friends of residents and employees affected by COVID-19 in all its homes across Canada.

“COVID-19 is a virulent virus and as a global community we are learning more about it every day.”