Sudbury health unit reports 2 more COVID-19 deaths at retirement home

Sudbury's medical officer of health says officials are working to control a COVID-19 outbreak in a local retirement home.

There have been three deaths reported at Amberwood Suites retirement home in Sudbury since Friday — and an outbreak has seen more than 30 cases in the home, including staff and residents.

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe says work is being done to protect the other residents.

"In the instance of an outbreak such as this, what we do is to test all of the residents and all of the staff at various intervals to make sure that we are identifying individuals who may be infected but not have any symptoms," she told Morning North CBC host Markus Schwabe.

"So that has been the case here — some have had symptoms, some have not had symptoms."

Sutcliffe says there is enhanced cleaning in the facility and visitor policies have changed.

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the retirement home on Jan 5 and involves 35 cases, including 32 residents and three staff members.

Mayor Brian Bigger issued a statement on Sunday, offering his condolences.

"The situation at Amberwood Suites is extremely sad and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected," he said.

"Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services staff are actively assisting on site to do our best to monitor the situation and provide care."

He reminded Sudburians to "please take the province's orders very seriously and do everything you can. It is extremely
vital that we stay at home to reduce community spread."

The health unit is also declaring COVID-19 outbreaks at two other facilities in the city. Outbreaks have been declared at both the Elizabeth Centre in Val Caron and Extendicare Falconbridge.

The health unit says one staff member at each long term care home has tested positive for the virus. It adds so far, no residents have tested positive in connection to these outbreaks.

There have been a total of five deaths in the Sudbury area due to COVID-19.