ARNPRIOR – After successfully keeping the deadly coronavirus away for more than half a year, COVID-19 has found its way in to the Grove Nursing Home.

“Today (Oct. 22), the Grove Nursing Home declared a COVID-19 outbreak,” Arnprior Regional Health (ARH) communications and community engagement manager Melissa McDermott released in a statement at 4:23 p.m. “Through the biweekly surveillance, one staff member received a ‘detected’ result, which is considered a positive test. This individual has been retested and is currently self-isolating at home for 14 days.”

In Ottawa, a facility must have two confirmed active COVID-19 cases at the same time to be declared on outbreak. At this time, there is only one known case at the Grove.

“At this time, there are no other confirmed cases at the Grove,” McDermott said. “The focus is currently on containing the situation and mitigating risk to residents and staff. The housekeeping team has already completed an extra vigilant clean today. And the Grove team is working in partnership with Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) and the ARH Infection Prevention and Control team to implement outbreak protocols to effectively manage the situation.

For example, now in effect at the Grove:

Only one designated caregiver can visit each resident (reduced from two)

All outdoor visits are temporarily suspended (indoor visits are already paused)

Recreation programs are on hold

“ARH is currently awaiting direction from RCDHU about the possible testing of all residents and staff,” McDermott said.