KAWARTHA LAKES-Some good news for residents at Caressant Care on MacLaughlin Road in Lindsay.
Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) and Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes LTD, in consultation with the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Public Health Unit, have declared an end to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Caressant Care on McLaughlin this morning. No new infections have occurred over the past 14 days.
“We are relieved this day has come,” says Veronica Nelson, RMH’s executive lead, who has been providing leadership to the home since February 6. “Everyone worked as a team to get this outbreak under control. This was truly a collaborative effort amongst Caressant Care staff, Hospital staff, agency staff and our essential caregivers. We can now focus on the important work of prevention, and bringing back activities and services our residents enjoy. We can also begin to welcome back our essential caregivers.”
Caressant Care on McLaughlin (CCM) declared an outbreak on January 9, 2021, which quickly spread within the home. On February 22, the Ministry of Long-Term Care approved a voluntary management contract between Caressant Care and Ross Memorial Hospital. This provided the Hospital with the ability to act quickly and support CCM staff to manage the outbreak. The Hospital and various agencies have been providing more than 25 staff to support the home. In early February these efforts paid off and infections slowed.
“I am so grateful to our staff, Ross Memorial Hospital, our families, and other care partners for coming together to help Caressant Care McLaughlin and our residents in this time of need,” says Jim Lavelle, President of Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes LTD. “I also want to express my deepest sympathies to the families, and to the staff, who consider our Residents part of their extended family, on the passing of their loved ones. Now is the time to begin the healing process as we continue to care for our residents.”
The voluntary management contract between Caressant Care and Ross Memorial Hospital is in place for until May 21. A total of 62 residents and 49 staff tested positive with COVID-19. Eighteen residents died as a result of the virus.
