KAWARTHA LAKES-The number of local active COVID-19 cases in Kawartha Lakes has increased dramatically after the confirmation of additional cases of COVID-19 within the Central East Correctional Centre (CECC) in Lindsay this weekend.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit declared an outbreak at the CECC on May 17 after six inmates in various areas of the facility were confirmed positive. The outbreak was then declared facility-wide as additional inmates and staff were confirmed positive.
Over the weekend, the Health Unit was notified of 88 confirmed cases within the City of Kawartha Lakes – 67 of which are related to the CECC outbreak.
As of today’s date, there are 122 inmates and nine staff who have tested positive related to the outbreak. Meanwhile the Ministry website says the total confirmed cases number is 49.
The ministry confirmed to Kawartha 411 that some units at the Central East Correctional Centre are locked down.
“The facility is making every effort to continue inmate programming and timely access to showers. Medication rounds and meal service are continuing as well.” Andrew Morrision, Communications for the Ministry of the Solicitor General told Kawartha 411 News today.
The Ministry says there are 6 positive staff cases.
Laboratory testing has detected mutations consistent with a COVID-19 variant, however, the specific variant lineage is yet to be confirmed according to the health unit. The type of variant is determined by whole genome sequencing which can take several weeks before results are available.
“Our staff are working closely with the health services staff within the facility to help prevent any further spread,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “We have seen these measures implemented in outbreaks in other correctional facilities in the province and they have helped prevent any further spread and helped bring the outbreaks to a close. Coupled with increased infection and prevention control measures being implemented by the facility, we hope to see these individuals recover and no further cases.”
