Journal Staff
A devastating COVID-19 outbreak at Sarnia’s Landmark Village has been declared over today, as more stores get ready to reopen.
Forty people were infected and six died after the virus that causes COVID-19 swept through the retirement home in March and April. With no new cases for two weeks, Lambton Public Health declared the outbreak over today.
That means three of the four outbreaks at Sarnia-Lambton seniors’ homes are now over.
The ongoing quarantine is at Vision Nursing Home, where six people tested positive and two residents, in their 70s and 80s, died at the residence this week.
Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sudit Ranade, said Wednesday the “vast majority” of Vision’s staff and residents have been tested.
Most of the results are back with just a handful pending, he said.
"It's a very small number; certainly nothing to raise our suspicions that there might be something more there than we've seen already."
This morning, the health unit confirmed one additional case in Sarnia-Lambton, bring the total to 193.
Four more people have recovered (126) and the death toll is unchanged at 16, half of them senior home residents.
Meanwhile, the province has announced it is easing restrictions on more businesses.
On Friday, garden centres and nurseries will be able to open for in-store purchases and payment, using the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.
Hardware stores and safety supply stores can reopen Saturday.
And on Monday, retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery, in accordance with the Health Ministry’s guidelines for essential workplaces.
Some restrictions on construction projects are also easing.
Ontario’s emergency measures have been extended until at least May 19.