'I'm blown away': 27 more residents and workers at Heritage Green have COVID-19 symptoms

The coronavirus outbreak at Stoney Creek's Heritage Green Nursing Home has spread to 17 more residents and 10 staff members, numbers a union rep for the workers describes as mind blowing.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, said Monday that in addition to four confirmed cases, including Hamilton's only COVID-19 death so far, 27 more people on multiple floors are displaying symptoms at Heritage Green.

Matthew Douglas, SEIU Healthcare's Heritage Green union representative, said he only learned of that Monday afternoon.

"I'm blown away by hearing that number," said Douglas, who represents 187 Heritage Green workers.

"This information will come as a shock to the members at the home. I spoke to quite a few of them today and not one knew of this information."

Heritage Green's battle with COVID-19 dates back to March 16, when an 80-year-old woman came to St. Joseph's hospital for routine treatment and displayed symptoms of COVID-19. She was isolated, and on March 21, a 55-year-old resident also tested positive for the virus. The 80-year-old woman died on March 24.

Douglas sounded the alarm around personal protective equipment at the time. He cited signs posted around the home that told staff not to wear masks and gloves unless the resident had been flagged for precautions or a manager told them to do so. "They have zero face-masks and zero goggles and they're afraid," he said last week.

Douglas also said one of the seven staff members who were in contact with the COVID-19 positive patients was told to self-quarantine for two weeks. Then the employee, apparently with public health clearance, returned to work after five days.

Douglas said personal protective equipment is worn and available now, but the spread has him questioning whether enough was done.

"We will be requesting immediate action on behalf of this employer," he said.

Heritage Green administrator Scott Kozachenko couldn't be reached for comment Monday. "We continue to do everything within our control to contain the virus," he said in a media release last week. 

Richardson said the province is working with Heritage Green on a plan to manage and combat the spread, including any staffing issues.

Three residents and one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19, including the resident who died. It's not necessary to test the others, Richardson said. It's clear what's led to the symptoms.

"Once you've identified what the virus is that's causing the outbreak, we don't do more tests," she said. "It's not a good use of testing supplies."

In the case of Heritage Green, "I appreciate the numbers are large and we're concerned about those."

Heritage Green isn't the only area long-term care home with a COVID-19 outbreak. Anson Place in Hagersville has seven confirmed cases, and Seasons Retirement Community in Welland also has an outbreak.