Variant detected at LTC home as city releases first work outbreak list

A more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected at a city-run longterm-care home in Toronto, on the same day the city released it’s first list of workplace outbreaks.

The infected front-line worker at Castleview Wychwood Towers does not have direct contact with residents, according to a press release from the city.

The person last worked on Feb. 2.

“All residents and staff members who could have potentially been exposed were tested on Thursday,” states the press release. “At this time, no residents, other staff or essential caregivers at Wychwood Towers are showing any symptoms.”

Castleview Wychwood Towers, on Christie St., is one of 10 long-term-care homes operated by the city. It has 456 beds.

About 95 per cent of residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and around 90 per cent have received their second dose. About 75 per cent of staff members have been vaccinated.

Also on Thursday, the city released a list of outbreaks at workplaces in Toronto. The list of 16 companies includes Belmont Meat (94 cases); Johnvince Foods (83 cases); Maple Leaf Foods (25 cases); Dimpflmeier Bakery (53); and Yaya Foods (12). An outbreak at Alumicor Limited involved 20 cases; Sky Window Technologies (20); DECIEM (18). An outbreak at the Ontario Courts of Justice has resulted in six cases.

A workplace outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 that are linked.