The dire situation at Roberta Place in Barrie's south end continues to worsen, with the resident death count now growing to six as positive COVID-19 cases climb at the long-term care home on Essa Road.
According to Roberta Place community relations co-ordinator Stephanie Barber, as of noon today, there were 45 confirmed residents and 29 team members with positive COVID cases, and “six resident passings as a result of the virus.”
On Thursday morning, there were 43 residents who had tested positive for the virus as well as 11 staff members. When BarrieToday spoke to Barber yesterday, there were two resident deaths linked to COVID at the long-term care home.
Officials at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit told BarrieToday they were aware of four deaths, with their newest information being a woman between the ages of 65 and 79 who died Jan. 13 , and a man over 80 years old who died Jan. 14.
There have been instances in the region where there's a lag or discrepancy in case reporting from public health officials due to volume.
The local health unit declared a facility-wide outbreak at Roberta Place's long-term care home on Jan. 8.
On Tuesday, the region's medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, called the outbreak “a worrying situation.”
When asked on Tuesday if officials from Barrie’s Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) would be asked to step in and assist at the south-end facility, Gardner said it was something that was being looked at "very closely." He added the health unit had been in contact with RVH officials about the situation at Roberta Place.
In some cases, management of a long-term care home can be temporarily reappointed.
On Oct. 13, 2020, the Ministry of Long-Term Care issued a mandatory management order appointing RVH to temporarily manage Simcoe Manor in Beeton for 90 days. The order enabled RVH to deploy a rapid response team, including infection control, workplace safety and environmental services experts to the home.
On Friday, an RVH representative told BarrieToday that local hospital officials have been in to Roberta Place to help, as well as The Pines long-term care home in Bracebridge, but added the Barrie hospital was not taking over management of the local facility.
RVH has supported 20 long-term care and retirement homes from across the region since the pandemic began.
In an email, RVH president and CEO Janice Skot told BarrieToday that Roberta Place has been getting extra help this week.
“RVH’s rapid response team has been on site at Roberta Place this week providing infection control and environmental services assessment and education," she said. "We also have a swab team at the home testing all staff.
“RVH has considerable expertise in infection, prevention and control (IPAC) and we are pleased to support our partners," Skot added.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, RVH sent three staff from their IPAC hub, or rapid response team, to complete IPAC assessments, audits and education. Four nurses were also sent on Tuesday to assist with staff swabbing.
