Public health anticipates COVID-19 outbreaks in local congregate settings will continue to increase

By Erin Anderson

Region of Waterloo Public Health is reporting a rise in COVID-19 outbreaks in local congregate facilities over the past seven days, including long-term care and retirement homes. 

“It is anticipated that the number of outbreaks will continue to increase this week,” read an e-mail statement to CityNews 570 from a public health spokesperson on Tuesday. 

The latest COVID-19 update from June 24 showed six active outbreaks in Waterloo Region. For comparison — there were three in effect as of June 17, and just two were reported on June 14. 

Public health said the majority of those reported in the past week represented multi-unit and whole facility outbreaks; typically involving residents, staff, and visitors. 

There are four current COVID-19 outbreaks impacting long-term care homes and one at a retirement home. You can see the list and status as of June 28 below.

– Parkwood Mennonite LTC (Multi-unit outbreak – 35 cases: 9 staff, 26 resident cases)
– Forest Heights LTC (Multi-unit outbreak – 44 cases: 7 staff, 37 resident cases)
– Twin Oaks of Maryhill (Whole home outbreak – 8 cases: 3 staff, 5 resident cases)
– Fairview Mennonite LTC (Multi-unit outbreak – 25 cases: 6 staff, 19 resident cases)
– Beechwood Manor RH (Whole home outbreak – 43 cases: 5 staff, 38 residents cases – majority are resolved)

There's also an active outbreak in an unidentified congregate setting, with five cases associated with it. Further details were not available. 

Region of Waterloo Public Health said outbreak control and infection prevention measures have been implemented in each facility but noted, “As COVID-19 is so highly transmissible, we may see the numbers of cases rise over the course of an outbreak.”

The health unit said it will continue to monitor the outbreaks and case trends, and encouraged those in the community to stay-up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

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