An outbreak of COVID-19 at Simcoe Manor in Beeton has claimed the life of one, perhaps two, residents. Test results are pending on the second resident who died Sunday morning.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit declared the outbreak Friday.
Four staff and four residents have tested positive for the virus. All long-term care residents have been tested, staff testing will resume today.
Enhanced screening measures remain in place to ensure immediate symptom identification, testing, isolation, and appropriate contact tracing are completed, in collaboration with the Health Unit. Extensive protocols remain in place to stop the spread within the home quickly; some of the precautions include:
Temporary cancellation of all indoor/outdoor visits while awaiting further testing results and direction from the Health Unit, with the exception of essential visitors;
Heightened surveillance and monitoring for symptoms of all residents;
Enhanced cleaning measures;
Advanced screening;
Cohorting staff to individual units during each shift;
Temporary hold on all new resident admissions and internal transfers;
Additional requirement of all staff to wear full PPE (gloves, gown, mask, face shield) upon entering the resident care units;
All residents are isolated in their rooms for precautionary reasons, with tray service for meals. Use of disposable plates, cups and cutlery for the duration of this outbreak to provide additional infection control safety.
The first outbreak of the virus at Simcoe Manor was in June.
Simcoe Village, which is adjacent to Simcoe Manor, has not been affected.
