Twin Lakes Terrace nursing home has declared an outbreak

Lambton Public Health says Twin Lakes Terrace nursing home in Sarnia has declared an outbreak.

One staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is one of seven people in Lambton diagnosed late today. Public health issued a news release around 5 pm Thursday saying it was dealing with a significant number of cases.

An outbreak in long term care generally leads to changes in the way homes operate including increased infection control measures and limiting the number of people coming into the home. 

In March, the province closed all homes in the province to any visitor, including family. The province only eased those restrictions, gradually, starting in June.

While visiting restrictions are likely at the Sarnia home now in outbreak, essential care givers – generally family members who play an active role in the care of the resident – will be allowed to continue coming into homes in outbreaks under new provincial rules. Ontario’s Associate Chief of Health, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, has said only public health officials will be able to issue orders to keep essential care givers out of the homes.

Public health is also investigating a workplace outbreak where three people tested positive with the virus today. Public health officials say three people have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Workplace outbreaks are declared when two or more employees test positive for COVID-19 within a reasonable timeline to suspect transmission in the workplace,” state public health officials in a news release. “All employees and close contacts have been identified and moved to isolation. 

“There is no further risk to the community at this time. Workplaces will only be named if public notification will help to identify additional close contact that cannot be determined through contact tracing.”

There are also three other people who have tested positive in the last day. Three schools in Lambton also have cases of the coronavirus – Col. Cameron Elementary and Bright’s Grove Elementary have both cases. Officials with the Lambton-Kent District School Board say 92 students are self isolating.

There has also been a confirmed case of the virus at Northern High School, however the person had not been at the school for two week.

Ranade is asking people to take more care in the community as the number of COVID-19 cases in the community rises.

He’s also urging people to limit their activities. 

“Narrow the scope of activities to absolute essentials to keep the spread to a minimum and allow other activities to function,” he says. “Transmission is connected to our social interactions and behaviours.”