Twenty-Nine Residents of Toronto Long-Term Care Home Died in Latest COVID-19 Outbreak

Twenty-Nine Residents of Toronto Long-Term Care Home Died in Latest COVID-19 Outbreak
A sea of ornamental poppies sit in the gardens at Main Street Terrace long term care home in Toronto on November 9, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)
The Canadian Press
11/12/2020
Updated:
11/12/2020

TORONTO—A long-term care operator says 29 residents have died in a COVID-19 outbreak at an east Toronto facility that began last month.

Revera, which owns and operates a range of homes, says public health officials have confirmed 92 residents of its Kennedy Lodge home have tested positive since the outbreak began on Oct. 2.

The company says 30 of them remain active cases and 32 have recovered.

It says public health officials also confirmed 35 staff members tested positive for COVID-19, with 17 considered resolved and the rest currently isolating at home.

Revera says it continues to do everything it can to ensure the safety of residents and staff, including monitoring residents for symptoms twice daily and asking them to self-isolate in their rooms.

It says all staff are screened for symptoms at the beginning and end of their shifts, and are required to wear a mask and eye protection inside the facility.

At this time, visits to the home are limited to essential visitors, as directed by public health officials, the company says.

“The team at Kennedy Lodge offers its most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the residents who passed away during the pandemic,” the company says in a statement.

The operator says public health authorities and the Scarborough Health Network are helping to manage the outbreak, particularly when it comes to enhanced cleaning and infection control education.