COVID-19 outbreak declared at Hastings Manor after second employee tests positive

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Hastings Manor in Belleville.

Hastings County officials made that announcement on Thursday after learning that a second employee at the long-term care facility had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

That follows a first confirmed test of a staff member earlier this week.

Hastings County CAO Jim Pine tells Quinte News the most recent employee, who last worked on March 31, had passed all the initial health screening measures put in place ahead of recent shifts, but then started to feel unwell, so they went to get tested.

Pine says to this point, no other staff members or residents have tested positive.

Moving forward, he says they will continue to follow all the guidelines outlined by healthcare and government officials, under the pandemic protocol.

Pine says that despite the shortage at some other facilities, Hastings Manor has enough personal protective equipment for staff members to keep them safe moving forward.

He added that dealing with the virus is an unprecedented situation.

Meanwhile, Hastings Prince Edward Public health says a staff member at Hallowell House in Picton has also tested positive for COVID-19, with the health unit saying it will continue to deliver any updates on outbreak situations at local long term care facilities, if needed.