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The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit was working Saturday with two Smiths Falls retirement homes to manage a COVID-19 outbreak.
One staff member who works at both the Van Horne and Willow Retirement Residences has tested positive. “One case is an outbreak when it comes to COVID-19,” health unit spokeswoman Susan Healey said Saturday.
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Worker at Smiths Falls retirement homes tests positive for COVID-19 Back to video
Infection control measures under the Long Term Care Homes Act have been put in place and are being monitored by the health unit, officials said, adding the staff member was at home in self-isolation.
The reason one case is treated as an outbreak is related to the lag between someone contracting the novel coronavirus and showing symptoms. This means officials can’t be sure how many cases are actually present at the Smiths Falls sites.
Other workers at the retirement homes have been told to monitor themselves carefully for symptoms.
Overall, the number of cases in the tri-county area stood at 55, including three more reported Saturday. The number of deaths remained at two.
The Smiths Falls outbreaks bring to six the number of seniors’ facilities in the area with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The others include two in Perth and one each in Almonte and Carleton Place.
People who think they may have COVID-19 symptoms or who may have been in close contact with someone who has are asked first to self-isolate, then to use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool, to see if they need to seek further care.
People who need further assistance can call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or their health-care provider.
