Resident of a Stoney Creek nursing home has COVID-19

An 80-year-old resident of a Stoney Creek nursing home has tested positive for COVID-19.

The woman from Heritage Green Nursing Home was brought to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton two days ago for a scheduled treatment, Hamilton Public Health Services said in a media release. While she was there, she displayed symptoms.

She was moved to isolation, and is still there, the release said. Seven hospital staff are in self isolation, and "no patients have been put at risk." 

Heritage Green has isolated the entire floor and assigned staff to dedicated areas, says the release. Some residents are isolated and getting in-room meals. The facility also closed to visitors last weekend and had already increased cleaning.

This is the first publicly reported case of COVID-19 in a long-term care home in the city. City spokesperson Kelly Anderson says public health still doesn't know if the case is travel related.

The woman is part of the most vulnerable population the city is trying to protect, said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, medical officer of health.

"This demonstrates why it's so critical that we continue to take proactive measures to protect those around us by implementing no-visitor policies at long-term care facilities and continuing to practice social distancing, even with our families when necessary." 

Chief of staff Dr. David Russell said St. Joe's has "carefully reviewed and identified the patient's interactions, and we are confident we have contained all potential exposure."

Hamilton has a total of 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of noon today.