ALMONTE – The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) has received confirmation of multiple COVID-19 cases at a long-term care home in Almonte.

The health unit confirmed three positive tests in long-term care residents and one staff member at Almonte Country Haven. Infection control measures were put in place to manage the outbreak and are being monitored by the LGLDHU. All staff have been instructed to wear personal protective equipment at all times and to self-monitor for symptoms, and to self-isolate at home when not working.

Over the last few days, the LGLDHU Unit has confirmed 15 cases of COVID-19 including three people who have been hospitalized.

Lanark County medical officer of health Doctor Paula Stewart says the increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases reinforces the importance of people staying home as much as possible and staying six feet or two arms lengths away from other when in public. In addition, stay home when sick, cough in to your sleeve, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer and clean commonly touched surfaces to reduce the risk of becoming ill.

The health unit says the increase in cases is not surprising for several reasons. The risk is higher in the United States now and more people returning are testing positive. The LGLDHU says assessment centres are increasing access to both assessment and testing, and hospital labs in Ottawa and Kingston are now able to process the tests of people in the area with results back in one to two days.

A quarantine of 14 days is now mandatory for all Canadians returning from travel outside of the country. Returning travellers must go straight home upon their return to the country, and rely on help from family, friends, their municipality and local agencies for anything they need.

The best way to get reliable information about COIVD-19 is by visiting www.healthunit.org. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 x 2499 from 8:30 to 4:30 every day. You can also get important public health updates by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have respiratory symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who does, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool for their recommendations. If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider.

• Courtesy Oldies 107.7 FM