New COVID-19 outbreak at Dufferin Oaks contained to single staff member

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

An second outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Dufferin Oaks, a long-term care home in Shelburne. 

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), declared the outbreak at the long-term care home last Friday (Oct.16) after a staff member at the home tested positive for COVID-19. The positive case was found through routine testing done by staff members at Dufferin Oaks. 

“On Oct. 15 Dufferin Oaks was informed that a staff member who attended our staff testing clinic on October 13th had tested positive for COVID-19,” said Brenda Wagner, administrator at Dufferin Oaks. 

A press release from Dufferin Oaks also said that the staff member did not exhibit symptoms while at work and is now isolating at home. 

An outbreak is declared at facilities such as long-term care homes, hospitals, or retirement homes when there is one or more positive cases of COVID-19 within the facility. 

“The date an outbreak is declared is the date the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified,” said Danny Williamson, WDGPH communications specialist in the press release. “An outbreak is declared over 14 days after symptoms began in the most recent case and when no other cases are suspect.” 

Since the declared outbreak Public Health has determined that the risk of exposure to staff or residents is low. 

“At that time, the risk of exposure to other staff and residents was deemed minimal and current measures include ongoing monitoring of residents and active screening of staff,” said Wagner. 

During the first wave of COVID-19 the local long-term care home saw 10 positive cases for the virus including six staff members, and four residents; there were two deaths. 

With the declaring of an outbreak the long-term care home general visitors have been prohibited. 

At the time of print, there have been no other staff or resident that have tested positive for COVID-19.