Six more positive COVID-19 cases at Pioneer Manor and more possible

Six new cases in Pioneer Manor COVID-19 outbreak Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger comments on the six new cases of COVID-19 after an outbreak was declared at Pioneer Manor Sunday.

SUDBURY — Six new COVID-19 cases have now been confirmed at Sudbury's long term care home Pioneer Manor, bringing the total number of cases in the facility to seven.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts has confirmed that four staff members and two residents have now tested positive for the virus. This brings the total confirmed cases to 7 at the home.

“All residents and staff with positive test results are asymptomatic and doing well,” said Aaron Archibald, Director of Long-term Care Services at Pioneer Manor. “The three residents with positive results are on isolation in private rooms, with staff dedicated to care in these areas only, wearing full personal protective equipment for all interactions. The four staff members who have tested positive are at home self-isolating.”

The facility declared an outbreak on Sunday after a man in his 70's tested positive, which was the first positive case in at Pioneer Manor.

“We continue to work very closely with Pioneer Manor to manage the outbreak and to ensure all cases are thoroughly investigated,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

Officials say that more than 800 staff members are residents were tested for the virus and they are still waiting for the rest of the results.

"I want to reiterate that the health, safety, and care of our residents and staff is our highest and first priority. We continue to take swift action to stop the spread of the virus through rigorous infection management practices and protocols," said Archibald.

Several actions are being taken in long-term care homes including strict physical distancing guidelines, no more group activities and visitor restrictions have been in place since the beginning of March. Additionally, staff is screened at the beginning and end of their shift, residents are assessed three times a day for symptoms and employees of long-term care homes cannot work in any other long-term care home, health service provider or retirement home.