Journal Staff
A COVID-19 outbreak at Vision Nursing Home continues to expand, with two more staff infected and one more resident dying of the disease, Lambton Public Health said this morning.
The virus has now claimed five residents of the long-term care home on Wellington Street, and infected 20 residents and 19 staff.
It’s been an especially grim week for the home, with 22 new confirmed cases and two residents dying since last Saturday.
Sarnia-Lambton’s death toll now stands at 20.
Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sudit Ranade, confirmed Friday the infection has spread beyond the one wing of the residence, known as Superior unit.
He said most outbreaks of the novel coronavirus can be traced to a lack of consistent infection prevention and control, including hand-washing and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
“If we had reason to doubt what they were saying, then we might ask for some proof that something was happening, or we might advise them on how they could monitor,” he told a media briefing.
In addition to routine communication, public health officials have since visited the home to help contain the outbreak.
Sarnia-Lambton has now had 245 cases of COVID-19.
The outbreak status at two other senior homes in Sarnia is unchanged today. Two residents of Village on the St. Clair and one resident at Marshall Gowland Manor have tested positive.
Outbreaks at three other homes have been resolved.
Meanwhile, Lambton Public health will be conducting a COVID-19 phone survey with randomly selected adults in the coming weeks.
Survey responses will help local health officials better understand the knowledge and behaviour of the community around COVID-19, and help identify and address community needs.
The market research company Ipsos will conduct the surveys. Calls will appear as a 416 area code, and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
Information collected is confidential, and participation is voluntary, the health unit said.
For further details, visit: