An outbreak of nearly 100 COVID-19 cases at a Tillsonburg long-term care home has left public heath officials urging the community to take precautions to stop the spread.
Southwestern Public Health reported on Tuesday that 55 residents and 35 staff members at Maple Manor Nursing Home have tested positive. Four people linked to the facility have also died.
"It is devastating. Knowing 51 more are right now living with COVID is heartbreaking to me,” Maple Manor President George Kanuik said in a statement. "I want to thank the health care partners in this community who are working closely with us to ensure the continued care of our residents and safety of staff during this challenging time.”
The health unit, South West Local Health Integration Network, Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, and Woodstock Hospital are helping to support staff at Maple Manor.
An outbreak was declared at the facility on December 12. Since then, visitors have been barred from the home and surveillance testing has been conducted.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock is appealing to the public to follow COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines to stop the virus from spreading further.
"Maple Manor is in an outbreak, but this home is not an island. Outbreaks like this reflect what’s happening across our region,” said Lock. “We have many cases in our communities, not enough people are isolating when they have symptoms or test positive, and we need everyone to stop having close contact with people they do not live with.”
Lock advises anyone with symptoms to get tested and also recommends downloading the COVID Alert App, which sends a notification in the event of COVID-19 exposure.
Cases of the novel coronavirus have been on the rise in Oxford and Elgin counties for several weeks. The area reported a record of 71 infections on New Year's Eve. Public health officials warned at that time the two counties are on track to record 100 new cases per day in the coming weeks.
The increased case load is also having an effect on area hospitals.
“It is critical that people who require hospital care can receive it," said Sandy Jansen, president and chief executive officer at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. "While capacity is stretched to the limit, our emergency department remains open – please don’t wait to seek care if you need it. We need everyone’s help to lower local cases so that we can care for COVID-19 patients and other emergencies in our region."
Those who provide essential care to loved ones in long-term care homes are asked to avoid visiting if sick, obey public health measures at all times, stay six feet away from individuals in the facility, and avoid close contact with anyone outside of your own household.
