Monday marked one month since the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Roberta Place long-term care home in south-end Barrie, where there are currently no active cases among residents.
In that time, there have been 70 deaths attributed to the outbreak — 66 confirmed and three considered probable, all residents. One essential caregiver associated with the 137-bed facility also died after contracting the virus.
Roberta Place community relations co-ordinator Stephanie Barber tells BarrieToday that today’s numbers have stayed the same since Friday.
There have been no new COVID deaths since Feb. 2, and no new resident cases since Jan. 27.
Current active staff/team member cases are down to 13 from the 16 reported on Friday.
The figures for the Roberta Place outbreak now include “probable” cases, defined as any staff or resident who was on site on or after Jan. 5 presenting with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 with either:
* An indeterminate test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection
* A preliminary positive result by rapid test for SARS CoV-2 RNA
* No test performed
* Or clinical diagnosis by a health-care provider
Public Health Ontario’s infection prevention and control checklist for long-term care and retirement homes says an outbreak is declared over by the local medical officer of health, or designate, in collaboration with the outbreak management team when there are no new cases in residents or staff after 14 days from the latest of:
• Date of isolation of the last resident case, or,
• Date of illness onset of the last resident case, or,
• Date of last shift at work for last staff case.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit was unable to say when the Roberta Place outbreak is eligible to be lifted.
Debbie Grigg’s mother, 75-year-old Evelyn VanEmbden, tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 20. Grigg told BarrieToday that although her mom has completed her 14-day isolation, she is still a bit tired with lower-than-normal lung capacity, but is otherwise doing OK.
“They have moved all residents from Home Area 5 to Home Area 4 now. They are doing deep clean in 5 and making repairs and renovations,” said Grigg. “They have all been cleared from 14-day isolation and can now eat in the dining area again and be together again.”
Grigg also said she received a call Monday morning indicating work is underway to get residents the vaccine as soon as possible.
People who are infected with the virus cannot receive the vaccine.
