Staff interactions at long term care homes and other facilities continue to be a concern for public health officials. That’s the word from Dr. Lianne Catton, the Medical Officer of Health for the PHU. She says that staff does a great job in limiting contact with the public, but it’s the staff interaction that’s an issue and not following protocols in these settings.
“Staff are very good at wearing their masks, and following distancing with the public in the particular setting however, when it comes to staff to staff break times and staff to staff meetings and interactions those are the times we continue to work with all of the work places,” she said. “We remind them that folks are not coming to work unwell with any symptoms. We want to make sure when we are eating and taking breaks together we are well distanced and once we are done the masks are put back on. All of those measures are really critical.”
The Health Unit announced late yesterday afternoon that the outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing has been declared over. That reduces the number of outbreaks to four including those at long term care homes and facilities in Cochrane and Hearst. As a result of the outbreak at Extendicare in Kapuskasing 15 residents died.
