More health care professionals from across the region are being brought into Kapuskasing to help with the outbreak of COVID-19 at Extendicare. Timmins and District Hospital staff members are on scene to conduct an infection control assessment and to assist staff in other areas. There are 32 active cases among residents and 14 with staff. Meantime, Algoma Manitoulin Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes says the new of seven deaths at Extendicare is heartbreaking.
“We did so well during the first wave, and unfortunately that’s not the case during the second wave,” she said. “I think more needs to be done and right now my thoughts and prayers are with the family and I can just imagine how devastating they are.”
The Member of Parliament for our region says she supports an NDP plan to impose national standards in long term care homes. She adds that it would help to set a baseline for care.
“We need to enshrine that into the Canada health act as well to make sure that there is teeth to it and binding legislation for it,” she said. “The government hasn’t put that in place yet. They’ve indicated that they’ve earmarked funding but we are just not seeing that on the ground.”
