Transition House shelter in Cobourg reports a single case of COVID-19, discovered in a staff member.
Based on Ministry guidelines for congregate settings, this single case has prompted the “outbreak” declaration. The shelter is working closely with Northumberland County and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit to implement outbreak-management protocols.
Executive Director Anne Newman said they have focused, throughout the pandemic, on providing vital services and supports while keeping both staff and clients safe,.
“In addition to maintaining the strict infection-prevention and -control measures that have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic, Transition House staff are now moving to implement outbreak-management measures,” Newman said.
“This includes pausing all new admissions to Transition House during the outbreak period, as we support the current 10 clients to isolate in place.
“We are also partnering with Northumberland Paramedics to do immediate testing of clients and staff, and this testing will be repeated in 10 days.”
Transition House worked with the health unit at the beginning of the pandemic to establish a comprehensive infection-prevention and -control program, which included:
Reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing in all sleeping quarters and common areas
Screening of all new clients prior to entry to the shelter
Twice-daily screening of all clients and staff for COVID-19 symptoms
Enhanced environmental screening protocols
Implementation of a universal mask policy, mandatory for staff and clients at all times (except when eating and, for clients, while sleeping)
In addition, recognizing that people experiencing homelessness often face barriers to accessing health care, on-site vaccination was coordinated for consenting staff and residents through a collaboration with local health-care partners – further increasing safety among this vulnerable population.
The staffer testing positive is at home in self-isolation, Newman said.
“We wish this individual a speedy recovery,” she added.
“While this outbreak is concerning, we are working closely with the county and the HKPRDHU to minimize risk. Our focus remains providing safe, signified and supportive shelter services for people experiencing homelessness in our community.”
To ensure system-wide capacity at as time when Transition House accommodations are reduced, overflow accommodations have been arranged with local motels. Community members experiencing homelessness can access shelter services through the coordinated-entry system managed by Transition House – offered by telephone only during the outbreak period, at 905-376-9562.
