A total of 14 residents and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at long-term care home Bradford Valley Care Community.
In his live daily update, Chief Medical Officer for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Dr. Charles Gardner noted that the residents have been experiencing mild symptoms, are isolating on the premise with none being hospitalized.
It is not clear how the virus entered the facility but Gardner suspects from a staff-related exposure.
He noted that outbreaks at long-term care and retirement facilities are a “critical issue at this time” because of the vulnerable population living there.
He said the health unit is doing the best they can to protect those facilities.
“We are looking at their practices and looking very closely at what needs to happen to control the environment and eliminate the spread,” he said.
A letter from the management company of the home, Sienna Senior Living says precautions were already in place before the outbreak and they have implemented the following measures to help keep their staff and residents safe:
- Anyone suspected of being exposed to COVID-19 is quarantined and confirmed COVID-19 residents are in isolation.
- These residents are dining in their rooms and no longer having group recreational activities.
- Team members are wearing surgical face masks and having their temperature taken twice per shift.
- Twice daily temperature checks and frequent health monitoring of all residents.
- Physical distancing to the extent possible.
- Rigorous frequent cleaning of all surfaces.
- No non-essential visitors and active screening for any essential visitor, including temperature checks.