County of Renfrew Notified of First Case of COVID-19 in Staff Member at Miramichi Lodge
Pembroke: The County of Renfrew has been notified of the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) involving a County of Renfrew employee who works at Miramichi Lodge. Laboratory testing was used to confirm this diagnosis.
“Regretfully, we must announce that an employee of our long-term care home in Pembroke has tested positive for COVID-19,” said Warden of the County of Renfrew Debbie Robinson. “This individual is isolated at their home to prevent the spread of infection to others.”
“Our best wishes go to the employee for a rapid and full recovery,” she added. “Every effort is being made by the County and Local municipalities to protect the safety of residents of our Long-Term Care Homes, members of our staff and our community.”
This individual has not been present in the County of Renfrew workplace for over a week. Residents and staff that were in contact with this individual are being notified and all appropriate measures are being taken to try and eliminate any potential spread of infection at the Home.
“After developing symptoms, the individual took the appropriate action and stayed home,” Director of Long-term Care Shelley Sheedy stated. “The County of Renfrew will handle each case with the utmost respect to privacy, while also informing potentially affected residents and staff; while taking swift measures to mitigate spread of the virus. Please understand that out of respect for individual privacy, there are details about this case (or others moving forward) that we will not be able to share.”
The health and safety of the County of Renfrew’s workforce and its residents are a top priority for County Council, according to the Warden. She said it is paramount that every effort be made to keep all essential services operating so the County can continue to meet the needs of residents.
“The County of Renfrew is working closely with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, and has been, and will continue to follow the directives of the Provincial Medical Officer of Health in efforts to protect residents and staff in our Long-Term Care Homes from COVID-19 and other health risks,” Warden Robinson added.
The County of Renfrew is taking all necessary actions to further protect the health and safety of its workforce. The County of Renfrew has been taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of infection among its workforce including the use of teleworking among staff, insisting sick employees stay home, increasing the frequency of cleaning County of Renfrew facilities, canceling large meetings and staff travel, closing facilities to public access, and using staff bulletins to encourage physical distancing and other preventive measures.
For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website at or the Province of Ontario’s site.
If you live in Renfrew County, have a non-emergency health concern (including a concern related to COVID-19) and need to speak to a physician, you should first call your family physician’s office.
If you do not have a family physician or cannot access your family physician, please call the new Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) at 1-844-727-6404 to be connected to a family physician or nurse practitioner or visit www.rcvtac.ca
The County of Renfrew will continue to post all necessary and pertinent information to the County’s website, Facebook and Twitter Feeds, and update the local media on a regular basis.
Until further notice County of Renfrew Buildings will not be allowing public walk-in access, services are continuing to be provided. We are asking the public to conduct their communications with us via telephone, or by email. For more information on County services and how to contact us please check here.