The two long-term care homes owned and operated by the County of Renfrew have enhanced screening and testing for COVID-19. Director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy, says any staff or essential visitors (including maintenance people), are screened and have their temperature taken when they enter and leave the homes.
Sheedy is happy to report they had reported no positive cases of COVID-19 at Bonnechere Manor as of Wednesday morning (April 15th) and the staff member at Miramichi Lodge who tested positive has recovered. She adds Miramichi Lodge is still considered to be in an outbreak by the Renfrew County and District Health Unit as they wait for test results to come back.
The Director of long-term care for the county adds they continue to test residents and staff based on the recommendations by the province. Sheedy understands that it’s a difficult time for residents and staff and says they are doing their best to keep families connected.
The Ontario government launched the COVID-19 action plan for long-term care homes Wednesday afternoon. This includes enhanced testing for symptomatic residents expanded screening measures. The province also says they plan to redeploy available health care workers to support long-term care homes as they respond to outbreaks.