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Further analysis by the Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL) has determined there is no variant of concern (VOC) associated with the Kapuskasing Extendicare outbreak.
The Porcupine Health Unit reported two weeks ago that a person at the residence had screened positive for a possible variant which is a mutated and more contagious form of COVID-19.
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Try refreshing your browser. Case at Extendicare in Kap was not a variant, further study shows Back to video
On Sunday, the health unit reported it received confirmation from the PHOL that it was in fact not a variant form.
TIMMINS The outbreak at Extendicare Kapuskasing stabilized Tuesday, with no new cases beyond the 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents and 13 cases among employees. The Timmins and District Hospital sent some of its staff to help with the situation and will be working with Extendicare to conduct a thorough infection control assessment. Of the 16 COVID-19-related deaths to date in the Porcupine Health Unit area, seven are linked to the outbreak at Kapuskasing Extendicare. Requests for interviews from Extendicare, Timmins and District Hospital and the Porcupine Health Unit, were denied. But Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin said the town of 9,000 people is finding the outbreak at the facility concerning, where, he said, there are 49 residents.
SHARE ON: Guy Bourgoin, MPP Mushkegowuk-James Bay (NDP)
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Help has finally arrived to Kapuskasing’s Extendicare to combat the outbreak of COVID-19. The facility has been rocked by over 30 cases to staff and residents in the last several weeks. Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin says more staff has been brought in from outside the region.
“they’ve hired more PSWs, they hired an extra nurse practitioner, there’s a locum a doctor-locum that’s in there. Plus they’ve also reached out to NEST which is an organization assistance with the long term care for human resources.”
Bourgouin says he was able to speak with the Long Term Care Minister Merilee Fullerton regarding the outbreak and hopes some of the key issues can be addressed.
Bourgouin won’t hesitate to call for Army or Red Cross to come help Kapuskasing Extendicare SHARE ON: Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin (NDP)
The outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Kapuskasing’s Extendicare continues to grow. Ten more cases were added yesterday by the Porcupine Health Unit to the six that already remain active. Only two cases have been resolved. Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin says he’s been in constant contact with officials from Extendicare and the Porcupine Health Unit and is not ready yet to call in reinforcements like Army or Canadian Red Cross.
“But if we see the numbers, I won’t ask for that. For now they say we are doing what needs to be done, we’re at 16 cases but it may come a point we may absolutely but hopefully we don’t get there,” he said.
Kapuskasing Extendicare outbreak into its second week
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The outbreak at Kapuskasing’s Extendicare continues into its second week.
Since it began last Wednesday, five residents plus one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19 according to Sharan Kaur (pronounced Sharon Carr) from Extendicare’s Corporate Communications. Kaur said residents continue to be screened twice daily for signs of COVID-19 to ensure any change in health status is identified immediately.
The facility, which has 56 beds remains open for essential caregivers to provide care to their loved ones. Kaur says some safety measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus including the cohorting of residents.