Outbreak at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon declared over

The Pinecrest Nursing Home endured a terrible outbreak that claimed that lives of about 40 percent of its residents. However, as of today, the region's health unit and the home's administrator, Mary Carr, have confirmed that the outbreak is over.

The outbreak at the nursing home, which facilitated 65 beds, was first announced on March 20. The outbreak took a total of 28 lives, according to a report from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

"It is with great pleasure that I can announce the outbreak in our home is over," wrote Carr in an email.

"Earlier this morning, public health confirmed with our director of care that all residents have been free of symptoms for 14 or more days," Carr told Global News.

Despite the outbreak being declared over, all prevention measures and infection control protocols will remain in place, stressed Carr, who ensured that the staff will continue to take every precaution to keep their residents' health and safety a top priority.

"The home will remain closed to non-essential visitors, and meals will continue to be served to residents in their rooms," said Carr. "We’ll continue our daily screening procedures, and residents will be asked to remain in their rooms unless out for walks. We are continuing to deep clean all resident areas in the building thanks to the support of Ross Memorial Hospital’s environmental services team and asking our staff to continue to wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) during this process."

The coronavirus outbreak was the "greatest" challenge ever faced by the Pinecrest Nursing Home, said Carr. She then took a moment to thank the community for all the support they have given from the time it first occurred to the present.

“I want to thank the Bobcaygeon community, our dedicated staff, residents’ families and health system partners for their support,” said Carr. “I’ve mentioned previously that we will get through the outbreak by standing together, and today, this has proven true. Thank you for your patience, support, love and generosity since Day 1.”