Another new Covid-19 case in Tillsonburg
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As of May 22, seven health care workers have been confirmed positive with the virus at the Secord Trails Care Community in Ingersoll.
On Monday, a single case of COVID-19 was diagnosed at Secord Trails, and as of this morning, Southwestern Public Health confirmed an additional six COVID-19 positive test results – bringing the total to seven within the long-term care organization.
The affected staff hold various positions with varying levels of contact with residents. They are all self-isolating at home. No residents have been confirmed positive at this time. Some laboratory results are still pending. Secord Trails Care Community, at 263 Wonham Street South, Ingersoll, employs approximately 110 staff and cares for approximately 80 residents.
“The majority of those staff impacted live within the region served by Southwestern Public Health,” said Dr. Joyce Lock, SWP Medical Officer of Health.
Tillsonburg now has two active cases of COVD-19.
“Our staff are moving quickly to inform people of their results, trace contacts and provide guidance on self-isolation and other safety measures.
“At the same time, we’re working closely with the leadership team and staff at Secord Trails on their strategy to contain the spread and help them connect with the resources they need to care for their residents safely during the outbreak period.”
For the safety of staff and residents, the Secord Trails team has the following precautions in place:
• All team members are wearing surgical face masks and having their temperature taken twice per shift.
• Isolation protocols are in place and all residents are dining in their rooms.
• Frequent monitoring of all residents’ health, including temperatures checked twice daily.
• Rigorous frequent cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces.
• No non-essential visitors and active screening for any essential visitor, including temperature checks.
In addition to the support from Southwestern Public Health, Ontario Health West and regional hospitals have provided staffing and human resources support to help Secord Trails Care Community during this difficult time.
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Southwestern Public Health reports two cases of COVID-19 in Tillsonburg as of Friday morning, 10:45 a.m.
There are 10 active cases of coronavirus in the Oxford-Elgin region, nine of them in Oxford County. Ongoing cases are in Ingersoll (4), Woodstock (2), Tillsonburg (2), East Zorra-Tavistock, and Malahide.
Four people in Elgin County died from the coronavirus. There have been no reported Covid-19 deaths in Oxford County.
A total of 3,855 people have been tested in Oxford-Elgin, including 231 pending test results.
In total, since the first positive tests March 23 (Elgin) and March 25 (Oxford) were recorded by Southwestern Public Health, there have been 71 cumulative cases in Oxford-Elgin, which includes 57 that are resolved (no longer infectious).
The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit reported 208 lab-confirmed cumulative cases, including 88 active cases (one new case Friday). As of Friday, 89 have recovered and there have been 31 deaths in the H-N region.
In total, Middlesex-London has had 491 cases of coronavirus (no new cases Friday). 357 have been resolved, and there have been 48 deaths.
Ontario has tested 588,958 people for COVID-19 so far, of which 558,814 were negative. As of Friday there are 3,685 active ongoing cases in the province (up 155 from yesterday). In Ontario there have been 2,021 COVID-19 deaths (28 deaths since yesterday’s report).
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Thursday afternoon, Moffatt & Powell RONA posted on Facebook, “We were informed on May 20, 2020 that an associate who works at our Moffatt & Powell RONA Tillsonburg store located at 268 Tillson Ave recently received a positive COVID-19 diagnostic. The associate last worked on May 19, 2020.
“We took the situation very seriously. To protect the health and safety of our associates and customers, we closed the store on May 21, 2020 and proceeded with an extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the premises. These actions are in addition to the enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures already in place; as well as the physical distancing efforts and face covering requirements of both associates and customers. We also duly notified Southwestern Public Health authorities of the situation and discussed the measures taken at the store before reopening the store on (Friday) May 22, 2020.
“If you visited the store between May 15, 2020 and May 19, 2020, inclusive, we encourage you to monitor for symptoms until June 2, 2020 (if you visited the store on May 19, 2020), and call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if needed.
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“Thank you for your supportive comments and warm wishes for our associate. We are working collaboratively with Southwestern Public Health at this time,” said Moffat & Powell in a later Facebook message. “Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of our teams and customers. All of our stores have numerous health and safety measures in place including: hand sanitizer, store marshals controlling the number of customers in the store at any given time, face masks required for employees and customers, rigorous cleaning protocols throughout the store, social distancing signs, and plexiglass barriers. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated as we continue to serve our communities during this challenging time.”
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