The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKRP) District Health Unit has confirmed a total of nine deaths related to COVID-19 at the Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon since an outbreak was declared at the facility on Wednesday, March 18th.

There have been some media reports that two of the deaths at the home were not related to COVID-19.

Last Thursday (March 26), the health unit reported that two deaths at the home were epidemiologically linked to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since then, seven additional residents have died due to COVID-19.

In its March 26th report, the health unit also reported that 14 staff at Pinecrest Nursing Home had tested positive for COVID-19 and four staff had tested negative.

As of Monday (March 30), 24 staff have tested positive for COVID. Six staff have tested negative, and results are pending for 10 more staff.

The total number of confirmed cases in the HKRP District Health Unit’s service area is 41, including 33 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (27 of which are related to Pinecrest Nursing Home) and eight in Northumberland County. There are no reported cases in Haliburton County.

Of the 41 confirmed cases, there have been 11 deaths, including nine residents at Pinecrest Nursing Home and two other deaths in the community. One of the community deaths is the wife of a Pinecrest resident who regularly visited her husband at the nursing home.

In the Peterborough area as of Monday (March 30), Peterborough Public Health has confirmed 28 positive COVID-19 cases, with no deaths and three resolved cases. Another 224 possible cases remain under investigation.

Fifteen new positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed by Peterborough Public Health, bringing to 28 the total number of cases in Peterborough city and county, Hiawatha and Curve Lake.

During her daily media briefing on Monday (March 30), Peterborough Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said of the new cases, four are receiving care at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Another four cases are under investigation in relation to travel history and/or community contacts while three of the new reported cases have been resolved.

Meanwhile, Dr. Salvaterra says the outbreak at St. Joe’s at Fleming reported last week is “under control” but test results are still awaited on one resident.

Asked if Peterborough could see a similar tragic outbreak such as that at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon where nine residents have died of presumed COVID-19, Dr. Salvaterra says she “wouldn’t be surprised.”

Meanwhile, the results of a Nanos poll released Monday (March 30) revealed 67 percent of Canadians believe the COVID-19 outbreak will become more severe in their respective communities.

Dr. Salvaterra agrees that poll result is an indication that most are clearly aware of the gravity of the situation and are preparing themselves for what’s ahead while following prescribed measures to keep themselves and theirs safe.

“We do expect this to get worse before it gets better and we’re preparing for that,” she says.

To date, 673 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the Peterborough area with results awaited on 224 of those tested. Another 422 cases have been confirmed negative.

For the area served by the other health unit in the Kawarthas (Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, which includes Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton), there have been 41 positive cases reported, including nine deaths (seven associated with the outbreak at Pinecrest Nursing Home).

Of the total positive cases, 33 are in the City of Kawartha Lakes (with nine deaths) and eight in Northumberland County. No positive cases have been identified in Haliburton County.

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.

This story has been updated to include the latest numbers for COVID-19 cases and deaths as of March 30, 2020 from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

As the Bobcaygeon community awoke Monday morning (March 30) to the heartbreaking news that nine Pinecrest Nursing Home residents have died as a result of presumed COVID-19 — seven of those deaths this past weekend — the councillor in whose ward the home is located is frustrated and upset that the seriousness of the situation wasn’t made public sooner.

“When three residents tested positive (on March 20) there should have been something sent out to the public immediately,” says Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan.

“The home finally tried to reach out last Monday (March 23) for help. (MPP) Laurie (Scott) jumped on it immediately but they couldn’t get any answers from the nursing home. They called and couldn’t get in touch with anybody.”

“We hear they are devastated but then we can’t speak with anybody? We’re ready to send in our paramedics and we’re told ‘No?'”

“This had been brewing for over a week. This should have been out to the public a lot quicker than it was. Now we’ve got all those workers in the home who have been out to all the stores around here.”

In addition to the nine resident deaths, an elderly woman who visited her husband daily at Pinecrest died on Saturday (March 28) at Ross Memorial Centre in Lindsay.

In addition, 34 home staff were showing symptoms of COVID-19 as of last Friday (March 27), with 17 of those having tested positive, four tested negative, and test results awaited on the remainder.

kawarthaNOW reached out Monday (March 30) for comment from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit but has yet to hear back. As of early Monday afternoon, there has been no public communication from the health unit or the home about the deaths, but the health unit’s website was updated at 1:15 p.m. on Monday to reflect the current status of cases.

Located at 3418 County Road 36 in Bobcaygeon, Pinecrest Nursing Home is a 65-bed facility owned by Medlaw Corporation.

On the weekend of March 21st, Lindsay cardiologist Dr. Jeremy Jones — in an open letter widely shared on social media — sounded the alarm bell over the situation then brewing at Pinecrest, writing “What they haven’t revealed is that there are 20 other residents and eight staff at the nursing home that have symptoms but have not been tested. This additional 28 people undoubtedly are further cases of COVID-19. This means that there could be hundreds of cases in the community that have gone undetected.”

Councillor Seymour-Fagan says she got a call from City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham last Monday (March 23), advising her of just how bad the situation was at Pinecrest.

“They (nursing home administration) had finally reached out to him and (MPP) Laurie (Scott),” she says, noting she has since been in regular communication with a nurse at the home.

“When I first knew what was happening at Pinecrest, I didn’t have actual data and facts. Speaking with the MPP, speaking with the mayor, we knew but what could we say? Public health hadn’t put it out there. The nursing home hadn’t put it out there. I don’t know what happened. A communication breakdown? We’re hearing Dr. Noseworthy say she didn’t know. That can’t happen.”

As Pinecrest administration, in conjunction with public health staff, attempt to get a handle what is a dire situation at the home, Councillor Seymour-Fagan says the effect on her community has been nothing short of “devastating.”

“People that work there live in the area. They care deeply for the residents. Being a PSW (Personal Support Worker) or a nurse in that type of environment is not an easy job. The people that are working there, their hearts are in the right place and they try their best. That’s one of the reasons why this is so devastating. Those who are ill want to be in there to help and they can’t.”

Adding to Councillor Seymour-Fagan’s frustration is the refusal of those to adhere to physical distancing directives.

“People are coming up to their cottages thinking they are safer. They’re not safer. It’s everywhere. People need to realize that and they need to stay at home. Don’t go out and hang out with your friends. I have a friend who had to close his hardware store because people were coming in looking for bird feeders. It doesn’t matter if you’re bored. Find something to do.”

Meanwhile, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes was set to announce Monday (March 30) that a fund to help patients, families and health care workers affected by COVID-19 in Bobcaygeon and surrounding area has been established. The fund, called the Bobcaygeon and Area COVID-19 Relief Fund, is being administered by the foundation, advised by members of the community led by Councillor Seymour-Fagan.

“We already have donors; we’ve already raised a significant amount (of money),” she says.

To make a donation, email kawarthafoundation@gmail.com.

This story has been updated to include the three additional resident deaths reported on March 31, 2020 and to include two photos from Fred Thornhill / The Canadian Press.

Trent University is offering temporary housing for healthcare workers from Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) within the Gzowski College residence on the East Bank of Trent University’s Symons Campus.

The university was approached by PRHC early last week about the possibility of using residences to temporarily house hospital staff who choose to self-isolate from their families while caring for patients.

“Trent has been looking for ways to support the community as we navigate our way through the current crisis,” says Trent’s president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke. “After our donation of personal protective equipment to the hospital last week, we are pleased to be able to provide housing for those working on the front lines of healthcare in Peterborough.”

As Trent University has been operating with a reduced campus presence since Monday, March 16th, Gzowski College is currently unoccupied. When not occupied by students during the school term, the college’s rooms would normally by occupied in the spring and summer for conferences and weddings. However, due to the pandemic, all such events have been cancelled and the residences are empty.

Beginning as early as Tuesday, March 31st, up to 100 rooms will be available within Gzowski College. Only every second room will be made available to ensure a private bathroom is available for each occupant and to support appropriate social distancing.

Trent University and PRHC are currently working out the details. While using Gzowski College for temporary housing, PRHC will look after cleaning and sanitation. After the emergency passes, the space will be fully sanitized and turned back over to the university to allow for a 21-day vacancy before students arrive.

“Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Trent University have a long-standing partnership between our organizations,” says Brenda Weir, PRHC’s vice president of medicine and regional programs. “We are pleased to continue working with them through the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our healthcare professionals and staff have access to the important resources they need as they work around the clock to provide care and support for patients.”

“We are grateful to Trent University and to the many other community organizations that have come forward to offer their support in these unprecedented times.”

While 140 Trent University students without alternative living arrangements are remaining on campus, they are currently residing at the Water Street residences on the west side of Water Street, across from the campus entrance and on the other side of the river from Gzowski College.

Gzowski College, named after the late Canadian journalist and broadcaster Peter Gzowski, is Trent University’s youngest college, officially opening in October 2004.

Effective Sunday (March 29), public events and social gatherings of more than five people are against the law in Ontario.

The new emergency order under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act replaces the previous emergency order prohibiting organized public events of more than 50 people.

This order does not apply to private households with five people or more. It also does not apply to child care centres that are operating to support front-line health care workers and first responders, provided the number of persons at each centre does not exceed 50 people. Funerals are also permitted to proceed, but with up to 10 people at one time.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott. “These are extraordinary times that demand extraordinary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our people. Nothing is more important.”

The prohibition applies to all organized public events including parades, weddings, social gatherings, and communal services within places of worship.

Other emergency orders issued under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act include the closure of non-essential workplaces, recreational programs, libraries, publicly funded schools, private schools, day cares, provincial parks, churches and other faith settings, as well as bars and restaurants, except those that may only offer takeout or delivery.

“If we are going to stop the spread of COVID-19 now and keep our communities safe, we need to take extraordinary measures to ensure physical distancing,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I strongly encourage everyone to do the responsible thing and stay home unless absolutely necessary. I can assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to stop this virus in its tracks.”

Municipal police services and the Ontario Provincial Police are responsible for enforcing compliance with emergency orders. If you want to report an allegation of non-compliance, such as a social gathering of more than five people, contact police at their non-emergency lines. 911 is for emergencies only; do not call 911 to report allegations of non-compliance.

Last Wednesday (March 25, 2020), the federal government announced an emergency order under the Quarantine Act that requires any person entering Canada by air, sea, or land to self-isolate for 14 days whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19.

If you are aware of anyone returning from travel who is contravening the federal emergency order to self-isolate for 14 days, report it to your local public health unit.

How to prevent COVID-19 transmission

• Practise physical distancing to reduce your exposure to other people. Avoid close contact (within 2 metres, or 6.5 feet) with people outside of your immediate families.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds at a time) or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• If you are healthy, stay home except for essential trips.

What to do if you think you may have COVID-19

1. Complete the COVID-19 self-assessment at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment.
2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit.
3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms.

On Saturday morning (March 28), we shared a photo from the team at the intensive care unit at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) with the important message: “We’re here for you. Please stay home for us.”

Front-line workers from departments across the hospital are now sharing similar photos on social media, all with the same message and including the hashtags #StayHome #PRHCStrong and #InThisTogether.

From the ICU unit to the emergency department to the COVID-19 unit and more, those who are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 at PRHC want us to know they are working to protect our health but that we have a responsibility to stay home and self-isolate — to protect our own health and the health of front-line workers.

Below, we’re including a few of the photos PRHC workers have shared so far on social media. We don’t have the photographer’s names, but we’ll add them if we find out.

If you want to ensure that PRHC’s healthcare professionals and staff have the tools, technology, and supports they need to to care for their sickest patients — and themselves — during this difficult time, make a donation to the PRHC Foundation at www.prhcfoundation.ca.

You can also visit www.prhcfoundation.ca to send a message of thanks to PRHC’s doctors, nurses, and staff. PRHC Foundation will collect them and send them out through PRHC’s internal communications channels daily, boosting morale and bolstering spirits for our front-line healthcare workers.