On Thursday (March 26), Peterborough Public Health reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in a local long-term care home.
A resident of St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough has tested positive for COVID-19. Two other residents of the 200-bed facility who have respiratory symptoms have tested negative, but all three residents are in isolation at the facility.
A staff member who also had symptoms was referred to community paramedics for in-home testing on Wednesday night (March 25). The staff member will remain in self-isolation at home.
Peterborough Public Health is investigating to determine if there is an epidemiological link to travel or to other known COVID-19 cases.
“We know St. Joseph’s at Fleming is taking the right measures to keep residents as safe as possible from the spread of this infection,” says Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “Older adults are more at risk to severe illness caused by COVID-19 so this serves as a strong reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our most vulnerable residents.”
Visitation to the facility has been restricted since Saturday, March 14th on the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“Our nurses will continue to support St. Joseph’s at Fleming in controlling this outbreak,” Dr. Salvaterra says. “We all need to do our part by staying home and not visiting anyone at this time, especially seniors or anyone who is immunocompromised.”
For the most recent information on COVID-19 in Ontario and the Peterborough area, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus or peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre is also providing news, updates, information and resources on its website at prhc.on.ca/cms/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.
What to do if you think you may have COVID-19
- Complete the COVID-19 self-assessment at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment.
- Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 ext. 401.
- If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms.
