Seventh life lost to outbreak at Beeton long-term care home
40 residents, 28 staff tested positive
The County of Simcoe has confirmed another life has been lost to COVID-19 amid an outbreak affecting Simcoe Manor in Beeton.
A 77-year-old woman who was being treated for COVID-19 symptoms at Beeton Manor succumbed to the virus on Monday, the seventh life lost since the outbreak was declared in late September.
“We have not determined the source,” said Manager of Health and Emergency Services Jane Sinclair. “We are working closely with our partners from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, they are leading that tracing effort.”
“This is the way it tends to work, it gets into organizations despite best efforts,” added Sinclair. “We are seeing significant increase in spread in the community. With the increase in spread in the community, increases the probability of institutions becoming positive with COVID.”
To date, 40 residents and 28 staff have tested positive for COVID-19. All are tested regularly, with the help of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s rapid testing capability. “That’s an incredibly positive piece to our early detection and management, so we are seeing tests coming back to us much quicker, and are able to put in preventative measures much faster.” Sinclair said test results come back within 24 to 48 hours.
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This came as the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported 43 new cases of COVID-19 in the region, along with two more deaths. A man between the ages of 65 and 79, being treated at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia, as well as a man in the same age range at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. The health unit says this brings the region’s death toll to 46.