After almost two months, the COVID-19 outbreak at Caressant Care McLaughlin Road in Lindsay has been declared over.
The long-term care home and Ross Memorial Hospital made the announcement on Monday (March 1), in consultation with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Public Health Unit, now that 14 days have passed with no new infections.
The outbreak was first declared on January 9th, with a total of 62 residents and 49 staff testing positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak. Of the residents who were infected, 18 lost their lives as a result of the disease.
“I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families, and to the staff, who consider our residents part of their extended family, on the passing of their loved ones,” said Jim Lavelle, president of Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes LTD. “Now is the time to begin the healing process as we continue to care for our residents.”
The voluntary management contract between Caressant Care and Ross Memorial Hospital, which was approved by the Ministry of Health on February 22nd, will remain in place until May 21st. The contract allowed the hospital to act quickly and support the home’s staff to manage the outbreak.
The hospital and various agencies have been providing more than 25 staff to support the home. These efforts paid off and infections slowed in early February, according to the hospital.
“I am so grateful to our staff, Ross Memorial Hospital, our families, and other care partners for coming together to help Caressant Care McLaughlin and our residents in this time of need,” Lavelle said.
“We are relieved this day has come,” added Veronica Nelson, executive lead at Ross Memorial Hospital. “Everyone worked as a team to get this outbreak under control. This was truly a collaborative effort amongst Caressant Care staff, hospital staff, agency staff, and our essential caregivers.”
“We can now focus on the important work of prevention, and bringing back activities and services our residents enjoy. We can also begin to welcome back our essential caregivers.”
