Some encouraging news in regards to a COVID-19 outbreak at Ritz Lutheran Villa Long-term Care Home near Mitchell. This after a fully vaccinated staff member with mild symptoms tested positive for COVID-19, and an outbreak was declared last weekend.
Administrator Jeff Renaud reported, “Surveillance testing on residents, staff and essential caregivers returned one positive result in a fully vaccinated resident who did not have symptoms. Subsequent testing came back negative. Further tests of residents, staff, and Essential Caregivers at the home also came back negative.”
“The mild symptoms in the fully vaccinated health care worker and the lack of symptoms in a fully vaccinated resident who subsequently tested negative are encouraging signs,” said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health. “These are indications that vaccination efforts to protect our most vulnerable are working: symptoms are milder or not experienced at all, and the virus has not been able to spread amongst the rest of the home.”
Outbreak measures are in place as a precaution. Provided there are no other additional cases or probable cases, these will be discontinued after Sunday April 4, 2021.
Board Chair, David Murray, indicated his appreciation by saying, “The community and our Board of Directors are so grateful to the staff at both homes. We would also like to thank the Huron Perth Public Health Unit team for their support over the past week.”
