159 positive cases of COVID, including 40 staff in Ontario nursing home

As of the date of the writing of this article, there are a total of 159 people who have tested for the virus, among them the majority of the home's residents, along with around 40 staff members.

According to Global News, the home will now pass from being run by the government to being managed by a professional group called Lakeridge Health, which already manages several hospitals in the area, for at least the next 90 days.

“The safety of residents and staff in long-term care is our number one priority. We want to assure families that we take their concerns seriously. As part of their outbreak management plans, homes must have a communication plan to keep families informed,” said the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care in a statement.

In a similar statement, a representative from Lakeridge Health commented, "Lakeridge Health’s top priority is to stabilize the care for residents, provide support and training for staff, ensure adherence to proper IPAC protocols, and keep families informed about their loved ones,"

According to Paula Santos, however, the sister of one of the residents, the measures that have been taken are not enough.

"More needs to be done, they are still short-staffed. The food is late and cold. Medicine is late and mixed up — there’s just no excuse."

"My sister tells me she feels isolated. She’s scared. No one tells her anything. This past entire week I have been able to get through [only] one time … I have a right to know what is happening."

Laura Smith, whose grandmother is a resident, agreed with Santos:

“We have seen [only] one Lakeridge Health staff [member] there. We’re pretty appalled. It’s disgusting. I don’t understand why they’re trying to put a front forward saying that everything is under control."

"My grandmother couldn’t reach her call bell and she was using her hairbrush, banging on the rails and nobody came to help her."