Durham’s health department has declared an end to the latest COVID-19 outbreak at a Whitby nursing home.
The outbreak at Sunnycrest Nursing Home was declared over on Friday.
In total, 29 deaths have been linked to the home, all of whom were residents.
Of the 195 cases reported at Sunnycrest, 77 were staff.
Two workers are still isolating at home while a resident remains in hospital.
Sunnycrest came under scrutiny in December when a provincial inspector noted that there was a lack of available personal protective equipment for workers.
Earlier that month, Lakeridge Health took over administration duties at the home.
Lakeridge Health quickly deployed an expert team to be on-site at Sunnycrest to help manage the outbreak.
Lakeridge Health will remain on-site for the duration of the 90-day Voluntary Management Contract to provide care for residents, support and training for staff, ensure adherence to proper infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols, and keep families informed about their loved ones.
At this time, at the direction of the province, visiting restrictions remain in place given the province-wide lockdown.
“January 1st is truly a meaningful day for Sunnycrest Nursing Home,” said Susan deRyk, Interim President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “While we acknowledge the end of the COVID-19 outbreak at the home, we remember the residents who died from this terrible virus and send our sincerest condolences to those who lost a family member, friend or loved one. This news comes as a result of the incredible collaboration of so many partners who quickly stepped in to help. We are hopeful of the continued efforts to stabilize the home.”
Durham still has 24 active outbreaks at hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes.
One of them is at ThorntonView Long Term Care Home in Oshawa, where 131 cases have resolved, four people are isolating and 18 people have died.
I really don’t understand how 77 staff members in this facility ended up with the virus. Did they already have it? Did they get the virus outside of Sunnycrest? Did they catch the virus inside the facility and if so how and why? Are they wearing proper PPE?
I would assume these are all second wave individuals and none from the first?
The article states lack of PPE and hyperlinks to the December 10th article and in that article there’s the familiar PPE “locked up inside managements office”…. no time to stock PPE caddies etc.
education was also an issue with front line staff… really?
the hyperlink to the full report conveniently goes no where on my system!
re: the hyperlink to the full report apparently “downloads” a pdf to your system… missed that…
Clearly our best efforts are not capable to combat the fears created by death from the Wuhan Flu. We had our hearts tugged for us to surrender our freedoms with promises of protection from the realities of death from covid19. The professionals are failing to prove there are actions to act on which results in improvement. Improvement will mean we are learning but admitting and accepting the need for correction of our visible failures.