A Retirement Home in Pembroke that had declared a COVID-19 Outbreak has said it is now over.
An outbreak of COVID-19 at Riverview Heights Retirement Home had been declared after a positive case was found on May 19th. Renfrew County District Health Unit says that 102 swabs done on residents and staff. They say they performed multiple tests and contact tracing over the last few days while putting the Home under strict infection control measures. The member of the home who tested positive was tested another two times, with 3 additional residents and 7 staff that tested negative before. All tests came back negative for COVID-19.
The Health Unit says that the Home had no previous history of COVID-19, nor was there history of the virus in the family members of staff or residents. It was with this in mind that the unit declared the outbreak over. The Unit says based on the low prevalence of COVID-19 in Renfrew County, there is a chance that the original test was a false positive. They add that we will never really know for sure.
Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Cushman said the workers of the Home, along with volunteers from the Pembroke Regional Hospital, deserve respect and congratulations for their round the clock dedication and professionalism.
Currently in Renfrew County and District there are 23 confirmed cases as of June 4th, with 18 resolved, 4 in self isolation, and 1 fatality.