COVID-19 hits five members of Forces in care homes

OTTAWA The Canadian Forces say five members working in long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic have tested positive for the illness — four in Quebec and one in Ontario.

The military says nearly 1,700 members of the Forces are working in nursing homes where regular staff have been overwhelmed by COVID-19, in some cases becoming sick themselves.

The Canadian Forces are promising reports on the illness in those deployed to nursing homes every two weeks.

Canadian Forces members are now working in 25 long-term care homes in Quebec and in five in Ontario. Most are in support roles: cleaning, serving food and assisting with residents’ basic needs. The military says all have been equipped with personal protective equipment and training in how to use it.

“The risk to our personnel remains high due to the fact that we are often operating in high-risk COVID -19+ threat environments and working in close proximity with persons who have either tested positive or are exhibiting COVID -19 related symptoms,” the Forces said in a statement Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that the risk of infection was something the military knew about going in.

“There are always risks in what they do and they go into that knowingly and willingly and that is why we offer them our deepest gratitude every day,” he said. “At the same time, we need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect them, so we will look at the protocols in place and see if and how they can be strengthened.”

Trudeau said the Forces are considering hazard pay for troops deployed in care homes.