The Health Unit is working with both Van Horne and Willowdale Retirement Residences in Smiths Falls to manage a COVID-19 outbreak. One staff member has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Infection control measures under the Long Term Care Home Act have been put in place to manage the outbreak and are being monitored by the Health Unit. The staff member is home under self-isolation and staff at both sites been instructed to report any symptoms to public health immediately.
“The safety and security of our staff and residents in these sites are a primary concern for us as is minimizing the risk of transmission,” says Sharon Ranalli, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Chartwell Retirement Residences. “We remain vigilant in our efforts to manage this outbreak and thank our staff, residents and family members for their compliance and support of our efforts. We continue to follow heightened COVID-19 infection control and screening protocols and all recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit.”
“The number of outbreaks in the last week in long-term care homes and retirement homes in the area serves as a reminder that we all need to follow the recommended actions to decrease the risk of spread of COVID-19 in the community;” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health, “this incudes staying at home as much as possible keeping a distance of 2m or 6ft away from other people.”
The best way to get reliable information about COVID-19 is by visiting www.healthunit.org. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 x 2499 from 8:30 to 4:30 every day. You can also get important public health updates by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.
If you have respiratory symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who does, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool for their recommendations. If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider.
Visit Ontario’s website, www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
